The Road to World War II

Worldwide Depression Countries

short of supplies

Still trying to recover from World War I

Economic hard- times worldwide

The Rise of Dictators Allies had expected Germany to pay for

damages during World War I Germany did not have enough money to

do this Adolph Hitler, leader of Germany during

the 20’s, said Germany had been treated unfairly.

Believed only Germans with blond hair and blue eyes were “true Germans”

Blamed Jews for many of the problems.

German Dictator, Adolph Hitler

National Socialists, or Nazis

Political party with Hitler in charge Grew in power and started an army Soldiers, called storm troopers Attacked Jewish people and others

opposed to Hitler Put prisoners into terrible prisons

called concentration camps.

Nazis in Control 1933 took control of German

government Hitler ruled as a dictator, an all-

powerful ruler. Rebuilt Germany’s economy by

preparing for another war. Built tanks, guns and other war

supplies Wanted to Rule the World

The War Begins Japan, Italy, and Germany began

taking over other countries. Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invaded

Poland British and French leaders had had

enough! Declared war on Germany on Sept.

3, 1939. British and French not able to stop

Germany from taking over other countries.

The United States Many thought we should stay out President Franklin Roosevelt

promised to keep up out of the war. Prepared for attack just in case. 1st peacetime draft

Men ages 21-39 had to register Started making war supplies

U.S. Enters the War December 7, 1941, Japanese planes

attacked Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.

Dropped bombs on American ships at the Pearl Harbor naval base.

In less than two hours, Japan had destroyed most of the U.S. Pacific fleet.

More than 2,000 sailors and 68 civilians were killed.

Europe in the 1930’s Adolph Hitler

Rise because of WWI

Criticized rather than submitted a plan for progress

Forced his way into the chancellorship

January 1933: Hitler became Chancellor of Germany

Hitler soon ordered a program of rearming Germany

Hitler visits a factory and is enthusiastically greeted. Many Germans were grateful for jobs after the misery of he depression years.

March 1936: German troops marched into

the RhinelandThe Rhineland was a region of Germany that was ‘demilitarised’ after the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was not allowed to have troops in the region.

Hitler’s actions showed how he was willing to directly challenge the treaty.

March 1938: Nazi Germany annexed Austria

Again, this went against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from uniting with Austria. However, the arrival of German troops was met with great enthusiasm by many Austrian people.

March 1939: Germany invaded Czechoslovakia

Hitler had ordered the occupation of a part of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland (in October 1938). Many hoped that that this would be the last conquest of the Nazis. However, in March 1939, he ordered his troops to take over the remainder of Czechoslovakia. This was the first aggressive step that suggested that a war in Europe would soon begin.

Hitler and Stalin (the Russian leader) signed a ‘non-aggression pact’.

They promised that neither country would attack the other in the event of war.

As part of the deal, Hitler promised Stalin part of Poland, which he planned to invade soon.

August 1939: Germany and Russia signed a non-aggression pact

This photo shows the Russian foreign minister signing the pact, whilst Stalin stands smiling in the background

The non-aggression pact was surprising. Hitler and Stalin were seen as natural enemies.

When Hitler talked of taking over new land for Germany, many thought that he meant Russia.

Hitler also hated Communism, the form of government in Russia

But, the pact allowed Germany to march into Poland without fear of an attack from Russia.

On 3rd September 1939, Germany invaded Poland and started a War with Britain and France.

September 1939: Germany invaded Poland

German troops marching into Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

May 1940: Germany turned west and invaded France and

the NetherlandsIn May 1940, Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics to attack France and the Netherlands.

British troops were forced to retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France.

Captured British troops, May 1940

By June 1940, France had surrendered to the Germans

Britain now stood alone as the last remaining enemy of Hitler’s Germany in Western Europe.

Adolf Hitler tours Paris after his successful invasion.

Germany’s Attack in Europe

Polish invasion Sept. 1, 1339 Blitzkrieg Warsaw

Ghetto

Germany’s Attack in Europe

Denmark, Holland Norway (Quisling) Belgium and France

Dunkirk Britain

Winston Churchill

September 1940-May 1941: the Blitz

For the following nine months, the German air force (Luftwaffe) launched repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This was known as the BLITZ and was an attempt to bomb Britain into submission.

Operation Barbarossa, June 1941

But in May, 1941, Hitler ordered a change of tactics. He decided to halt the bombing of Britain and launch an attack against Russia. He betrayed Stalin and ignored the promises he had made.

This was a bold move that would prove to be an important turning point in the War.

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Quick Facts (write 2-3)

A. War Costs1. US Debt 1940 - $9 billion

US Debt 1945 - $98 billion

The war cost $330 billion -- 10 times the cost of WWI & as much as all previous federal spending since 1776

26

Quick Facts (write 2-3)

B. Human Costs1. 50 million people died (compared to 15

million in WWI)

21.3 million Russians (7.7 million civilians)

11 million died as a result of the HOLOCAUST(6 million Jews + 5 million others)

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When?

1939

Sept.1 - Germany invades Poland (official start to the war)

Sept. 3 -Britain

& France declare war on

Germany

Dec. 7 – Japan bombs Pearl

Harbor; US enters the

War

1941

May - Germans Surrende

r

Sept. - Atomic

Bombing of

Hiroshima &

Nagasaki,

Japanese Surrende

r

1945

1939-1945US involvement 1941-1945

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Major Leaders

Adolf HitlerNazi Germany

Benito MussoliniItaly

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How Did Hitler Make War? Blitzkrieg “Lightning War”

In the next year, Hitler invades: DenmarkNorway The Netherlands, France

Hitler in Paris

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US Assistance Roosevelt provided aid to

the Allies: Lend-Lease - 1939

US “lent” war materials to cash-strapped Great Britain

London Firefighter Tackles an Air Raid Blaze

Atlantic Charter

US secretly meets with England to commit to defeating Germany

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Meanwhile … in the Pacific Pearl Harbor: “a date which will

live in infamy”

USS Arizona Sinking in Pearl Harbor

What?

Surprise attack by the Japanese on American forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Effect?

US declares war on Japan & other Axis powers

Germany’s Attack in Europe

Balkans Russia US Isolation

Maximum Axis Control (Sept 1942)

Allied Counterattacks in Europe

Soviet North Africa Italy Normandy Battle of the

Bulge

Allied Counterattacks in Europe

Surrender Stalin, Churchill,

Roosevelt The Marshall

Plan

Japan’s Invasion China

Blockade Pearl Harbor Southeast

Asia

Allied Counterattacks in the Pacific

Midway Southeast

Asia Island

hopping Japanese

main islands

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/

wwtwo/