The Allies won World War II. Germany surrendered in Europe in May 1945, and Japan surrendered after the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the war in August 1945.

Quick Scoop

  • The main victorious alliance was the Allied Powers.
  • In Europe, the war ended with Germany’s unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.
  • In Asia, the war ended after Japan’s surrender in August 1945.

Who gets credit?

Different historians emphasize different contributions, but the broad answer is still that the Allies won collectively. Some sources note that the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union each played major roles in defeating the Axis.

If you want, I can also give you a one-sentence answer , a school-style explanation , or a country-by-country breakdown.