Question

Which of the following correctly compares the number of civilian deaths of the Allied powers with those of the Axis powers during World War II?
• China had the lowest number of deaths compared to the Axis powers.
• The U.S.S.R. had more civilian deaths than Germany.
• Great Britain had more civilian deaths than Germany.
• The U.S. had the most civilian deaths during the war.

Answer 1

Only the second statement is correct.

Briefly:
- China did NOT have the lowest number — China suffered very large civilian losses (commonly estimated roughly 10–20 million).
- The U.S.S.R. did have more civilian deaths than Germany (Soviet civilian deaths are commonly estimated ~13–14 million, versus roughly 2–3 million German civilian deaths).
- Great Britain had far fewer civilian deaths than Germany (British civilian deaths were on the order of tens of thousands).
- The U.S. did not have the most civilian deaths (U.S. civilian deaths were very small by comparison, a few thousand at most).

(Estimates vary by source, so figures above are approximate ranges.)