serious History

The entire history of World War 2, explained in 22 minutes — from a rejected art student in Vienna to the deadliest war ever fought.

How did one failed painter end up setting the entire planet on fire? In this animated explainer we trace the full story of WW2: the Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression that buried Germany, Hitler's rise to power, blitzkrieg and the fall of France, the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, Stalingrad, and D-Day. Along the way you'll meet a dead body with a briefcase that fooled the Germans, a ghost army built out of rubber and plywood, and the single letter Albert Einstein called the greatest mistake of his life — the one that started the Manhattan Project and led to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the dawn of the Cold War.

Which part of this story surprised you the most? Tell me in the comments.

Subscribe for a new animated history explainer — WW1 is already on the channel.