world war ii. the rise of dictators the effects of world war i, and the great depression in the...

World War II

The Rise of Dictators• The effects of World War I, and the Great

Depression in the United States sent shockwaves around the world.

• The weak global economies led to dictators, or people who rule by force, to come to power.

• In Germany, Italy, Japan and the Soviet Union – these dictators formed brutal and repressive governments.

The Rise of Dictators

• In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin led a vicious form of totalitarian communism.

• Stalin used terror to control the country and suppress individual rights.

• Stalin combined small family farms into huge collective farms owned and run by the state.


• Stalin removed those opposed to him through starvation and labor camps – millions died.

• In Italy, strikes and riots had been going on since the end of World War I.

• A veteran named Benito Mussolini emerged as a leader of the new Fascist Party.


• Fascism emphasizes extreme nationalism and a supreme ruler.

• Mussolini used force and intimidation to become dictator of Italy.

• He claimed he could fix Italy’s economy through conquest – invaded Ethiopia.


• The weak conditions of Germany led to the emergence of another dictator.

• Adolph Hitler was wounded while serving in World War I and was angry over the Versailles Treaty.

• Hitler hated that Germany was blamed for the war – blamed the Jewish for that.


• In 1919, Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers’ Party – or Nazi Party.

• The Nazis preached fascism – supreme German culture and race.

• Hitler became leader of the party for his tremendous ability to give speeches.


• In 1923 – Nazi’s tried overthrowing German government.

• Plan failed and Hitler was arrested – he writes Mein Kampf or “My Struggle” while in prison.

• The book outlines the philosophy of the Nazi Party and their plans to fix Germany.


• The terrible German economy because of WWI and the Great Depression caused people to look for new leaders.

• The Nazis and Hitler became popular and Hitler named Chancellor in 1933.

• Hitler removed freedom of speech and press and brutalized his political enemies.


• Three weeks later, the Reichstag – or German Parliament – burned down.

• Fire was suspicious – Hitler blamed communists and other enemies of Nazis.

• Hitler was granted absolute power as a result so he could do what was necessary to protect Germany.


• Like Mussolini, Hitler saw conquest as the best way to solidify Germany’s economy.

• Hitler rearmed Germany – reduced unemployment by building weapons and buildings.

• Signed a treaty with Mussolini – formed the Axis Powers.


• Hitler began expanding German borders by annexing lost lands from World War I.

• A war weary Europe appeased Hitler – or kept the peace by giving into his demands.

• By appeasing Hitler – he only became stronger and more aggressive.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What two major historical events contributed to the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, and totalitarianism in the Soviet Union?

• How did Mussolini and Hitler seek to solve their countries economic problems?

• What is appeasement? In your opinion, is it a good or bad policy for countries to practice?

Europe Goes To War

• Hitler wanted to keep expanding but feared fighting a two-front war that cost Germans victory in World War I.

• Hitler and Stalin signed a Non-Aggression Pact which divided up the lands in Eastern Europe.

• On September 1, 1939 – Germany invaded Poland and World War II began.

Europe Goes To War

• German fought a new form of war called blitzkrieg or “lightning war”.

• Fast moving tanks and overwhelming fire power led to Poland’s demise in a month.

• Hitler used blitzkrieg to conquer Denmark, Norway, Finland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Europe Goes To War

• Germany invaded France and split the British and French troops in two.

• British forced to retreat back to England at Dunkirk.

• France fell shortly after – German troops entered Paris on June 14, 1940.

Europe Goes To War

• After France was secure, Hitler wanted to conquer England.

• Hitler knew British Navy was powerful and would halt invasion – so he attacked by air instead.

• Hitler launched the greatest air-assault the world had ever seen – over 1,000 planes bombed Great Britain.

Europe Goes To War

• This action started the Battle of Britain – both German and English planes fought in the air.

• Hitler ordered the bombing of London to break civilian will power.

• Firebombs caused devastating damage and started raging fires in the city.

Europe Goes To War

• Over a year’s time, 20,000 civilians died and over 70,000 were injured.

• However, their will was never broken – and it marked the first time Hitler was stopped.

• The Germans were never able to establish air superiority over England and never attempted a land invasion.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Why did Hitler sign a Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin and the Soviet Union?

• What was “blitzkrieg” and how did it help the Germans have success in Europe?

• What was significant about the Battle of Britain?

Japan Builds an Empire

• Just as in Europe, Japan was seriously affected by the Great Depression.

• Strikes, layoffs, and widespread political frustration led to government blame.

• Nationalism grew in popularity and demanded a revolution to fix the problems.


• Radicals took control of the government and viewed conquest as a means to fix problems.

• Japan needed resources – oil, iron – and invaded Chinese controlled Manchuria in 1931.

• Japan conquered most of China and used brutal tactics on citizens.


• United States criticized Japan for its actions against the Chinese.

• Japan did not stop and signed an agreement with Germany and Italy.

• Japan seizes Indochina and Roosevelt responds be ceasing all trade with Japan.


• The United States, although vocal, practiced neutrality during the beginning of the war.

• However, the U.S. did support Great Britain and France by providing war supplies.

• The Lend-Lease Program authorized the President to aid any nation whose defense was vital to American security.


• While concerned about Europe – FDR was aware of Japan’s aggression too.

• In 1940 FDR limited what Japan could buy from the U.S.

• As Japan’s aggression continued, FDR froze Japanese money in the U.S.


• General Hideki Tojo became Prime Minister of Japan in 1941 – he favored war against U.S.

• By cracking Japanese code, U.S. became aware of a Japanese attack on U.S. somewhere in Pacific Ocean.

• Japan’s goal was to knock the U.S. Navy out of the Pacific with one blow.


• December 7, 1941 – Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – headquarters of the U.S. Pacific fleet.

• Attack started at 7:55 a.m. on a Sunday morning.

• 180 Japanese planes launched from aircraft carriers armed with bombs and torpedoes.


• Battle lasted just under two hours – 18 U.S. battleships and destroyers were heavily damaged or sunk.

• About 300 U.S. planes were destroyed.

• Japan only lost 29 planes.


• Over 2,400 American lives were lost, and 1,200 Americans were wounded.

• However – none of the U.S. aircraft carriers were damaged – Japan’s prime target.

• December 8, 1941 – FDR asked Congress to declare war on Japan – “…a date which live in infamy”.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What was American policy during the early years of World War II?

• What was Japan hoping to do when they attacked Pearl Harbor?

• What events led to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

Americans Mobilize For War

• Even before Pearl Harbor, the U.S. had been preparing to enter the war.

• FDR gave his “Four Freedoms speech” called for freedom of speech, worship, want and fear.

• Selective Training and Service Act in 1940 was first peacetime draft in nation’s history.


• Nearly 16 million Americans served as soldiers, sailors, and aviators in the war.

• Military was different backgrounds – 300,000 Mexican Americans, 25,000 Native Americans.

• Navajos developed into “code talkers” to help fight the war.


• Nearly a million African-Americans joined the military – mostly supporting roles at first.

• 350,000 women volunteered for military service – all areas except combat.

• U.S. entered the war at a crucial time for the Allies because their supply was short.


• To help support the war effort, industries switched from producing consumer goods to producing war goods.

• Instead of focusing on passenger cars, factories made combat airplanes.

• A combination of extra government credit, as well as patriotism led to the switch.


• War production benefitted workers by ending the massive unemployment rate of the depression.

• Farmers also played an important role in the war effort – growing food for supplies.

• The U.S. Government vowed to spend whatever was necessary to win the war.


• Taxes increased to help pay for the increased war spending.

• U.S. also practiced deficit spending to fund war – borrowing money from banks and investors.

• War bonds were also sold to the public to help fund the war – it was considered patriotic.


• On the home front, wartime jobs gave people extra cash for the first time since depression.

• Rationing occurred as Americans were forced to conserve scarce items – food and gas.

• The government tried to keep morale high by creating advertisements and posters to “play your part”.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What are some ways the U.S. Government funded the war effort?

• What are some ways in which American citizens helped fund the war effort?

Retaking Europe

• It was a critical time for the Allies when the Americans joined the war.

• The Nazis controlled most of Europe and were advancing in North Africa as well.

• German submarines were attacking ships bringing supplies from U.S. to England.

Retaking Europe

• German General Erwin Rommel – nicknamed the “Desert Fox” was having success in Africa.

• However, British and American forces eventually defeated the Germans and forced a retreat.

• Controlling North Africa allowed the Allies to invade Italy.

Retaking Europe

• The Allies threatened to overtake Rome – Mussolini was arrested by the Italian government.

• The Germans came to his defense and fought back against the Allies.

• Eventually Italy was defeated by the Allies and Mussolini was shot by Italians.

Retaking Europe

• After losing the Battle of Britain, Hitler had focused his attention on Soviet Union.

• He broke his pact with Stalin and invaded in 1941.

• Using blitzkrieg, the Germans took the Soviets by surprise and advanced deep into enemy territory.

Retaking Europe

• Stalin ordered everything to be destroyed during a retreat – leave nothing for the Nazis.

• The harsh winter forced the Germans to halt – as the Soviets made their stand at Stalingrad.

• Germans ran out of supplies, and brutal conditions led to Soviet victory.

Retaking Europe

• 330,000 Germans died and an estimated 1.1 million Soviets – deadliest battle in human history.

• Serves as the turning point in the war – Germans stopped and began forcing them back.

• Stalin urged the Allies to invade from the west to force a two-front war.

Retaking Europe

• Allies prepared for an invasion by weakening the Germans with bombing.

• Carpet bombing – or dropping hundreds of bombs in one area – was used.

• Allies targeted German cities to destroy factories and industrial centers.

Retaking Europe

• Meanwhile, the Allies were forming a plan to invade Western Europe.

• The invasion would be launched from England and target Northern France.

• It was called “Operation Overlord” and the Allies began a massive build up of forces.

Retaking Europe

• The Germans had the French coastline heavily defended with machine guns, barbed-wire fences and water mines.

• The Germans knew an invasion was coming but they did not know when or where.

• The invasion would end up being the largest landing by sea in history.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Why did the German invasion of the Soviet Union succeed at first?

• What factors helped the Soviet army defeat the Germans?

• What was the Allies goal of carpet bombing Germany?

D-Day

• On June 6, 1944 thousands of invasion craft and warships left southern England heading towards France.

• Their target was Normandy – the northern edge of France.

• The assault was nicknamed “D-Day” which has stuck over time.

D-Day

• The Normandy coast line was divided up into five beaches called Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

• U.S., British and Canadian soldiers made up the invasion force.

• Despite the heavy bombing, the Germans put up a heavy resistance.

D-Day

• Americans suffered extremely heavy losses at Omaha Beach.

• The Allies were successful and the beaches were eventually secured.

• This opened a door into France for the Allies to begin pushing the Germans back.

D-Day

• On August 25, 1944 the Allies liberated Paris, France.

• The Germans held strong however in Belgium – resulting in the Battle of the Bulge.

• The largest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army – 80,000 Americans killed.

D-Day

• After achieving victory at the Battle of the Bulge the Americans began closing in on Berlin.

• The Germans knew their time was running out and that the end of the war was near.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Imagine that you were an American soldier who participated in D-Day. Write a letter back home to a loved one or friend describing your experience. Talk about what happened and why you feel the invasion was necessary.

End of Hitler

• As Allies closed on Berlin from the west, Soviets closed in on Berlin from East.

• The key battle was the Siege of Stalingrad – Nazis tried invading Soviet Union and were stopped.

• Harsh winter contributed to Nazi defeat – largest battle in history of the world.

End of Hitler

• It was the Soviets who first entered Berlin in April 1945.

• Hitler did not flee – instead he committed suicide and his army surrendered one week later.

• This day is considered V-E Day – or Victory in Europe Day.

End of Hitler

• In February 1945 months before the war ended, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met at Yalta to discuss final plans to defeat Germany.

• The leaders agreed to split Germany and Berlin up into four zones – French, English, American and Soviet.

• Stalin also agreed to allow free election in the Eastern European countries he controlled.

End of Hitler

• Stalin did not keep his promise – he controlled Eastern Europe through dictatorship.

• This will lead to further problems later on between US and Soviets.

• Meanwhile Allies discovered Nazi concentration camps where Jews were persecuted.

End of Hitler

• During Hitler’s reign anti-Semitism increased into genocide – or final solution to wipe out Jews.

• Death camps were built in Germany to house Jews and commit mass murder.

• This action was called the Holocaust.

End of Hitler

• Many captured Nazi leaders went on trial for their actions against the Jews.

• These trials were called the Nuremberg Trials – 12 of the 24 Nazi defendants were sentenced to death.

• The tribunal rejected the Nazi’s excuse that they were only following orders.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• What was significant about the Siege of Stalingrad?

• How is Stalin becoming a problem for the Americans?

• What were the Nuremberg Trials, and what defense did many Nazis give?

War in the Pacific

• The day after Pearl Harbor – Japanese planes bombed U.S. planes in Philippines.

• Japanese invasion of U.S. held islands began – January 1942.

• Americans led by General Douglas MacArthur were badly outnumbered.

War in the Pacific

• U.S. Marines held out for a long time – but eventually were forced to surrender in April 1942.

• 15,000 prisoners were forced to march to P.O.W. camps.

• Appalling conditions led to death of 10,000 U.S. men – The Bataan Death March.

War in the Pacific

• U.S. was looking for a break in the Pacific theater – they got their break during the Battle of Midway.

• Japan planned to attack Midway, and lure the U.S. carriers out of Hawaii.

• The U.S. found out about the plan by intercepting Japanese coded messages – they broke their code.

War in the Pacific

• U.S. eventually won the naval battle.

• Both sides lost several ships – but most importantly Japan lost all four carriers and 275 planes.

• United States now had the advantage in the Pacific.

War in the Pacific

• The U.S. strategy for victory in the Pacific theater was “island hopping”.

• Capture one chain of islands, and use it as a springboard to fight the next chain.

• Goal was to get close of enough to Japan to begin bombing and prepare invasion.

War in the Pacific

• Also meant many bloody island landings and attacks.

• U.S. forces approached Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945.

• Even closer to Japanese mainland – and islands considered sacred ground.

War in the Pacific

• Islands were very tiny, but Japanese forces fought fiercely from caves and tunnels.

• Americans faced suicide attacks from Japanese – kamikazes and fighting to the death – no surrender.

• We realized that invading Japan would cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• “Our attack pattern was: barrage a hill with bombs and shells, move up the foot soldiers, hold it against counterattacks. We would attack during the day, dig in for the night and not for sleep but for safety. At night they would come a screaming banzai.” – Write a paragraph describing how the GI’s felt during long nights on Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

End of Japan and Social Impact

• Manhattan Project – before he died, FDR gave permission for U.S. scientists to develop a new weapon.

• Scientists built three atomic bombs – one was tested at Alamogordo, New Mexico.

• Truman issued an ultimatum to Japan.


• Japan ignored Truman’s warning – Japan wanted their Emperor to remain in power.

• August 6, 1945 – Enola Gay dropped first atomic bomb on Japan – Hiroshima.

• Over 100,000 died instantly – shocking destruction – Japan still defiant.


• August 9, 1945 – U.S. drops second atomic bomb on Japan.

• Target was Nagasaki – 75,000 died.

• Japan surrenders the next day – August 10, 1945 – V.J. Day.


• Japanese-Americans suffered severe discrimination during World War II in America.

• Most Americans – including the press – did not trust Japanese-Americans.

• Early 1942 – FDR orders U.S. Army to round up people of Japanese decent.


• Japanese Americans lost freedom and money.

• They had to sell homes/business in a couple of days.

• Thousands of interned men volunteered and served in U.S. Army.


• American women were also greatly affected by the war.

• The war caused women to work as steelworkers and welders during the war.

• However, they were expected to leave their jobs and return home after the war.


• The war changed the attitudes of women.

• Women thought of themselves as capable, adaptable and successful.

• They found new satisfaction in these jobs, including earning their own money.

YOUR TURN TO WRITE

• Explain the reasons why President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan? Do you agree or disagree with his decision?

• How did the war affect women in America?

• How did the war affect Japanese-Americans?

world war ii. the rise of dictators the effects of world war i, and the great depression in the...

Documents

rise of dictators hitler

rise of dictators stalin

rise of dictators fascism

appeasing hitler

adolph hitler

hitler rearmed germany

rise of fascism

effects of world war