World War II 1939 1945 A Second World

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World War II 1939 -1945 “A Second World War is Inevitable”

World War II 1939 -1945 “A Second World War is Inevitable”

Section I Significant Causes of World War II Treaty of Versailles (WWI) n Nationalism

Section I Significant Causes of World War II Treaty of Versailles (WWI) n Nationalism (Axis Powers) n Militarism (Axis Powers) The Great Depression & Economic Distress n Allied Appeasement towards Hitler n n

The Treaty of Versailles and the End of World war I n The Treaty

The Treaty of Versailles and the End of World war I n The Treaty of Versailles (1919) is considered to be the single most important, indirect cause of World War II. It placed total blame of World War I on Germany. As a result, Germany had to pay Allied nations massive amounts of money after the war, causing an economic depression in the country. During this depression, the German people looked for a leader to carry them out of this misery. They supported authoritarian parties like the Nazi Party, and looked to Adolf Hitler as the nation’s “knight in shining armor. ”

n n According to Webster’s Dictionary, nationalism is defined as “the advocacy of the

n n According to Webster’s Dictionary, nationalism is defined as “the advocacy of the utmost political advancement of one’s nation or people. ” Simply stated, nationalism is having pride in one’s nation!

n n n Germany wanted revenge after World War I and attempted to create

n n n Germany wanted revenge after World War I and attempted to create an “empire” through warfare. Benito Mussolini (Italy) looked to establish “The New Roman Empire. ” Japan wanted to expand territorial borders and become a more respected/feared nation.

The Great Depression n n Germany’s economic depression was second (in terms of severity)

The Great Depression n n Germany’s economic depression was second (in terms of severity) only to the United States. Tens of thousands of Germans were unemployed after World War I. Germany believed that by expanding their borders and increasing their military might, the “hard times” would disappear. Adolf Hitler promised the German people that he would take them out of the depression and into economic and military world domination. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini joined forces to give a further military and economic boost to their respective nations.

German Appeasement n n n Appeasement: “Partial submission to a threatening nation” (Webster’s Dictionary)

German Appeasement n n n Appeasement: “Partial submission to a threatening nation” (Webster’s Dictionary) Britain & France wanted to avoid another war at all costs so they allowed Hitler to stay in power. The Allied nations believed that if Hitler was allowed to have certain territories he would not push the military issue. Hitler realized that the Allied Powers were fearful of another war, so he took advantage of the situation by conquering more land (unchallenged). Hitler invaded Austria (1938), Czechoslovakia (1938), the Sudetenland (1938), and Poland (1939), before any military involvement by the Allied forces.

Section II World War II Erupts! World War II erupts when Nazi Germany invaded

Section II World War II Erupts! World War II erupts when Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Within two days, England France declared War on Germany invaded Scandinavia (April of 1940) and then France and Belgium in May of 1940, bringing the war into Western Europe. Three months later, Germany, Italy, and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact establishing them as the “Axis Powers. ” In June of 1941 Germany betrayed a secret pact formed with the Soviet Union. As a result, the Soviet Union joined up with the Allied Forces, (although they maintained a nonaggression treaty with Japan). The United States remained neutral until the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941.

n n n Japan attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,

n n n Japan attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941 with planes and small submarines. Japan launched their first wave of 181 planes at 6: 00 AM, and they arrived at Pearl Harbor at 7: 53 AM. They attacked both the fleet anchored in the base and the military airfields. 21 Ships belonging to the U. S. Pacific Fleet damaged or destroyed in the Pearl Harbor attack. The death toll climbed up to 2, 400. On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan in response to the attack.

The Allied Powers n n n n n United States Great Britain France USSR

The Allied Powers n n n n n United States Great Britain France USSR Australia Belgium Brazil Canada China Denmark Greece Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland South Africa Yugoslavia

The Axis Powers n n n n n Germany Italy Japan Hungary Romania Bulgaria

The Axis Powers n n n n n Germany Italy Japan Hungary Romania Bulgaria Slovakia Croatia Thailand

Section III Political Leadership and Tactics of World War II

Section III Political Leadership and Tactics of World War II

Franklin D. Roosevelt n n n Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the United

Franklin D. Roosevelt n n n Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the United States from 1933 to 1945. He was the only president ever to serve for four terms. He died on April 12, 1945 from a cerebral hemorrhage. Roosevelt originally did not want to go to war. He only wanted to support the British allies. Unfortunately, the attack on Pearl Harbor left Roosevelt with only the option of declaring war on the Axis Powers. Roosevelt is regarded as one of the most successful U. S. Presidents in history. The American public commended him for his efforts during the Great Depression and supported him when he signed the declaration of war against Japan in 1941.

President Truman Ø Harry Truman took over as the President of the United States

President Truman Ø Harry Truman took over as the President of the United States after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Ø Truman was the Commander-in-Chief when Germany surrendered, and made the difficult decision to drop the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ø Truman went on to be a key proponent for the implementation of the United Nations following the end of World War II.

Winston Churchill n n Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of England during World

Winston Churchill n n Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of England during World War II. He was a strong, powerful, charismatic, and courageous leader. One of his achievements during the war was refusing to surrender to Germany, even after heavy and constant bombing in England. Churchill was also a morale booster during the war for all members of the Allied Powers.

Joseph stalin n n Joseph Stalin (1878 -1953) was the dictator of the Union

Joseph stalin n n Joseph Stalin (1878 -1953) was the dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 to 1953. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union was transformed from a peasant society into an industrial and military superpower. However, he ruled by terror, and millions of his own citizens died during his brutal reign. Between 1937 and 1938 Stalin personally signed 357 proscription lists that condemned to execution approximately 40, 000 people, and about 90% of these are confirmed to have been shot. With no serious opponents left in power, Stalin ended the purges in 1938.

Adolf Hitler n n Hitler was the Chancellor/Kaiser of Germany and leader of the

Adolf Hitler n n Hitler was the Chancellor/Kaiser of Germany and leader of the Nazi Party He is blamed for starting World War II His Nazi Government killed between five to seven million Jewish Europeans during World War II (The Holocaust) He is considered to be one of the most evil leaders of history, and has even been referred to as “The Anti-Christ. ”

Benito Mussolini Ø “Il Duce” (the Duke) was the leader of the Italian Fascist

Benito Mussolini Ø “Il Duce” (the Duke) was the leader of the Italian Fascist Party and Dictator of Italy prior to and during World War II. Ø He introduced strict censorship and altered the process of election in Italy, in order to maintain dictatorial control. Ø He was a master of propaganda and controlled/manipulated the press while he was dictator. Ø He dreamt of creating an empire throughout Europe, which he referred to as “The New Roman Empire. ” Ø His colleagues turned against him, and he was replaced by his prime minister. He was killed by Italian communist fanatics in Rome. His body was hung on a meat hook in public, symbolizing the death of Fascist Italy.

Emperor Hirohito Ø Under Hirohito’s leadership Japan formed alliances with Nazi Germany (Hitler) and

Emperor Hirohito Ø Under Hirohito’s leadership Japan formed alliances with Nazi Germany (Hitler) and Socialist Italy (Mussolini). Ø Hirohito advocated for a peaceful solution with the United States, but was over-ruled by the Imperial Council, who believed that war was imminent. General Tojo Ø General Tojo was the Prime Minister of Japan during World War II and a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. Ø He was later executed for war crimes committed during World War II.

Section IV Significant Battles/Events n n n Doolittle’s Raid – (April 18, 1942) -

Section IV Significant Battles/Events n n n Doolittle’s Raid – (April 18, 1942) - It was the first attack of the Japanese homeland. It was the only operation to launch United States Air Force Bombers off of a United States Navy Air Craft Carrier. The Raid was a long combat mission that proved the Japanese homeland to be vulnerable for attack. The Battle of Normandy (June 6, 1944) - Also known as DDay, the battle took place in Normandy, France. -German forces occupying Western Europe against invading Allied forces. D-Day became known as the largest sea borne invasion in history. It involved about three million troops. The Battle of the Bulge - (December, 1944) – The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of World War II in Europe. The surprise attack caught the Allied forces completely off guard and became the costliest battle in terms of casualties for the United States, whose forces bore the brunt of the attack. It also severely depleted Germany's war-making resources.

Significant Battles/Events (Continued) n n n Battle of Berlin (April of 1945) – One

Significant Battles/Events (Continued) n n n Battle of Berlin (April of 1945) – One of the final battles of World War II which lasted until early May. Before the battle ended, Hitler committed suicide, and five days later, Germany surrendered to the United States. The Bombing of Hiroshima (August 6 th, 1945) - “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan by the U. S. The death toll in Hiroshima was recorded as 242, 437. The Bombing of Nagasaki (August 9 th, 1945) - Three days later “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The death toll in Nagasaki was approximately 320, 000. *** These atomic bombs ended World War II and forced Japan to surrender to the United States.

Casualties of World War II

Casualties of World War II

World War II ~ The Aftermath ~

World War II ~ The Aftermath ~

What Will the Future Bring?

What Will the Future Bring?