World War II Causes Of World War II

World War II

Causes Of World War II 1. German resentment at Treaty of Versailles. 2. Worldwide economic issues (Great Depression). 3. Increase in nationalism in Germany, Japan, and Italy. 4. Appeasement and Weak League of Nations. 5. Militarism and Aggression by Japan and Germany. 6. Rise of Totalitarian Leaders.

In the Years Following WWI • Treaty of Versailles has hit Germany hard. • Germany’s currency, the mark, dropped in value. The Germans also printed more money to get out into the public’s hands which also devalued the currency and it became worthless. • Great Depression hits Europe really hard. • Many countries will give up rights for security or sacrifice standing up for peace.

New Political Ideals • Fascism: A military/nationalistic movement that would require the people to give their undivided loyalty to their leader and to their country. Fascists would take complete control of their country and run every aspect of it. Most of these leaders would be dictators. Fascism would start in Italy and then spread to Germany, Spain, Hungary, and Argentina as well as other nations in Eastern Europe. • Totalitarianism: A type of government that takes total control of every aspect of a country. This type of government is usually run by a dictator. Most fascist leaders were totalitarianists.

Fascism in Italy • Led by Benito Mussolini “Il Duce. ” • He is the fascist leader of Italy. • He comes into power with his “Black shirts” and proclaims he wants to bring Italy back to the glory years of the Roman Empire. • He talks of making Italy strong and powerful. • When he takes power in 1922, he outlaws all other parties and takes control for himself. • His secret police jails opponents. He ends up becoming a model for all other fascist leaders in Europe. • He eventually moves to making Italy a worldwide power.

Nazism in Germany • The National Socialist German Workers Party. • They are a German nationalistic party. • They blend racism with fascism to create a party that is intent on making a strong Germany that excludes certain groups (mostly Jews). They are also violently anti-Bolshevist. • They will use propaganda greatly in an attempt to convince people that Germany is a powerful nation, should be powerful again, and should punish those enemies (internal and external) who have betrayed Germany. • Adolf Hitler, “Der Furher” is the Nazi Party leader. • He gains support during the economic freefall of the Great Depression. • He takes control of Germany in 1933 and goes on a spree eliminating all those who pose as a threat; including those who once supported him. • He is a violently racist man but also is a dynamic orator. • He rallies the German people behind him and begins to build Germany’s economy and military up

Flight of the Jews • Many Jews wanted to leave Germany because of fear of persecution. • Quotas kept many Jews out. • During WWII, less than 30, 000 Jews a year reached the US, and some were turned away due to immigration policies. • SS St. Louis –“Ship of Fools” 936 Jews seek freedom. • 288 of the passengers disembarked in England. • The remaining 619 passengers disembarked at Antwerp. 224 were accepted into France, 214 into Belgium and 181 into Holland, safe from Hitler's persecution until the German invasions of these countries. • Estimates suggest that 180 of the St. Louis refugees in France, along with 152 of those in Belgium and 60 of those in Holland survived the Holocaust, giving a total of 709 estimated survivors and 227 killed of the original 936 Jewish refugees.

Communism in Soviet Union • Joseph Stalin was the harsh ruler of the Soviet Union from 1928 -1953. • Stalin makes political alliances, assumes control of the Communist Party, and then eliminates anyone who is a threat. • He constantly purges the military and executes those he feels are not loyal. • He is ruthless and bloody and pushes the Soviets towards industrialization during the 5 -year plans. • He kills 7 million during the Ukrainian “famine”. • He wants to spread communism, and fears the West is out to get him. • He hates Hitler.

Militarism in Japan • People in the government who are either in the military or support the military. • They support having a strong military presence in the government and in international affairs. • Militarists took over Japan’s government after assassinating prime minister Inukai Tsuyoshi in 1932. • Japanese militarists wanted to dominate Asia. “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. • When the military took over in 1932, Emperor Hirohito became their puppet from which they could control Japan. • Hideki Tojo will become prime minister in 1941 after a decade of encourage Japanese imperial growth and escalating tensions with the US.

Question Time • 1. Why would people allow such evil and cruel leaders to lead them? • 2. How did Hitler’s message appeal to people? 3. Why is Japan becoming so militaristic?

The Axis Powers • Treaty signed in October 1936, the Rome. Berlin Axis is an alliance between Italy and Germany. • It is called “Axis” because they stated that the world will now turn on the axis between Rome and Berlin. • In 1940, Japan joins the alliance as well.

Aggression Begins • “Lebensraum”: Living space in German. • It is a major theme in Mein Kampf. • Accoring to Hitler, the Germans need room to expand because they will become overcrowded. • They should first unite all the lands Germany used to own (parts of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, etc. ). • Afterwards, the Germans should expand eastward into Poland, Ukraine, and Russia and use the farming lands here as a base of supply for food. • The Slavic populations will be converted to slaves. • Lebensraum will be the cornerstone for what Hitler called “The Third Reich” which “would last for 1, 000 years”. • “Master Race”

Spanish Civil War • The war will be a prelude to WWII. • Army leaders who wanted a fascist style of government supported Francisco Franco. • Others supported the new republican style of government that has tried to keep order in the five years that it has ruled. • Germany and Italy step in and give aid to Franco by bombing cities, support troops, and personnel. • The Germans test their weapons and new tactics in Spain. • In 1939, the Republicans fall in Madrid and Franco becomes dictator of Spain. • Guernica: A town in the northern part of Spain. On April 26, 1937, the German Condor Legion flew over and bombed the town. It was the first time in history that civilians would be targeted for aerial bombardment. An estimated 1, 500 people died (although reports range from 120 to 10, 000) in the attack.

Germany makes demands. Threatens war. The Allies meet with Germany. Appeasement Cycle To prevent war, Allies agree to the German demands. Germany senses weakness in the Allies.

Hitler’s Aggression • Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. • Forced a union with Austria. You were given the choice between war • Bullied Czechoslovakia and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war. —Winston Churchill into ceding the Sudetenland. • Annexed all of Czechoslovakia • Demanded Poland surrender “Polish Corridor”

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact • Treaty signed on August 23, 1939. • The treaty promises that Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union would not fight each other. • The also pact included a secret protocol, in which the signers divied up Poland in half. • The Soviet Union also was allowed to dominate the independent countries of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania in any way they saw fit. • This treaty would help give Hitler the means to invade Poland. • Stalin signed this because he believed the West or Germany was gearing up for a war with

Meanwhile…in China • • Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, the Japanese and created the puppet state of Manchukuo. The Japanese promoted Japanese colonization of the region. The Japanese invade China in 1937 and capture Beijing, Shanghai, Nanking, and other coastal cities. The Chinese, weakened by years of civil war, are easy prey to the stronger Japanese armies with over a million fighting for Shanghai alone. From 1937 -1945, the Chinese will lose 3. 2 million killed while the Japanese lost more than a million. Another 17. 5 milllon Chinese will die in the Japanese atrocities committed by the military. Rape of Nanking: From December 1937 to January 1938, the Japanese go crazy in the city of Nanking. They rape women and children in the city and go on a murder spree of the civilian populace. In six weeks, their genocidal acts will kill 300, 000 innocent people.

US Isolationism • In the years following WWI, the US will stay out of European affairs as it deals with the Depression. • We did not want to get involved in the war in Europe because of the death and destruction before. • Combined with Appeasement, it will help Germany branch out.

Question Time • 4. What was the goal behind appeasement? • 5. Why did appeasement not work? • 6. If Hitler hates Communism, why did he sign a treaty with Stalin?

The Road to World War II 1. Mussolini Invades Ethiopia in 1935. 2. Hitler remilitarizes the Rhineland in 1936. 3. Hitler and Mussolini aid Franco in the Spanish Civil War. 4. Hitler annexes Austria in 1938. 5. Hitler demands the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia in 1938. 6. Hitler is given Sudetenland in Sept of 1938. 7. Hitler takes over rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and divides it with Hungary. 8. Mussolini takes over Albania in 1939. 9. Hitler demands Poland surrenders the Polish Corridor in 1939. 10. Hitler and Stalin sign non-aggression pact in Aug 1939. 11. Sept. 1, 1939—Hitler invades Poland

• “Blitzkrieg”—lightning war War • Sept. 1939, Germany and USSR divide up Poland. • Spring 1940, after the phony war, Hitler invades Western Europe. Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway fall quickly. • The Germans reached the French coast of the English Channel in 10 days. • The French fall back and fall apart. • On June 22, 1940, the French surrender. —Vichy France • Western Europe has fallen to the Nazis. • Dunkirk rescue. in Europe

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. – Winston Churchill • • War in Europe Winston Churchill is new prime minister. Starting on July 10, the Luftwaffe was sent to smash up the British defenses in preparation for Operation Sea Lion (invasion of England). The badly outnumberd Royal Air Force (RAF) had only 2, 900 planes to fight off Germany’s 4, 500. The Germans started by attacking airbases. However, on the night of August 25, RAF bombers in retailition are sent to bomb a munitions plant in Germany. They miss and bomb Berlin instead. A furious Hitler orders that London and other cities become the targets. With the targets shifted, the RAF regroups and attacks the German bombers and escorts. The Luftwaffe is defeated and ends the campaign on October 31, 1940. Britain is saved from invasion. Nazi aggression in the West had ended. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour‘---Winston Churchill

• On June 22, 1941, Operation Barbarossa was the German codename for the invasion of the Soviet Union. • It was hoped that the invasion would get the Nazis the oil fields of the Caucausus, the farmlands of Ukraine, and the industrial regions of Western Russia. • Hitler moved 3. 2 million men to the Soviet border as part of the attack. • The Germans will push deep into Russia, however the cold will catch them off guard. • The Germans, by the end of 1941 will be within 20 miles of Moscow. • After 3 years, the Germans will begin to fall back and be overwhelmed by the Russian armies. • It will be Hitler’s greatest mistake. Invasion of Russia

Election of 1940 • Because of the looming war, the Democrats nominate FDR again for a third term. • Republicans nominate Wendell Willkie on a platform that the New Deal is failing and that FDR will get us into war. • FDR cruised to his third term in office.

Aircraft 14, 795 Tanks 7, 056 Jeeps 51, 503 Trucks 375, 883 Motorcycles 35, 170 Tractors 8, 071 Guns 8, 218 Machine guns 131, 633 Explosives 345, 735 tons • Initially, it would cost $7 billion but eventually be $50 billion. Railroad freight cars 11, 155 Locomotives 1, 981 • “Arsenal of Democracy” Cargo ships 90 Submarine hunters 105 Ship engines 7, 784 Food supplies 4, 478, 000 tons Machines and equipment $1, 078, 965, 000 Lend Lease Act • While we do not get involved in the war quite yet, we are seen as friends of the Allies. • In 1941, Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act. • We would lend weapons and money to Allied countries (mostly Britain, France, China, Australia, and…later on…USSR). Britain would let use navy bases in Caribbean in return.

Atlantic Charter • Meeting between FDR and Churchill to discuss aims of the war. • No territorial gains were to be sought by the United States or the United Kingdom. • Territorial adjustments must be in accord with wishes of the peoples concerned. • All peoples had a right to self-determination. • Trade barriers were to be lowered. • There was to be global economic cooperation and advancement of social welfare. • Disarmament of aggressor nations, postwar common disarmament • Defeat of Germany and other Axis powers. • Would push us closer to war with Germany.

Question Time • 7. Despite being neutral, FDR is slowly pushing us towards war. Why is he doing this? • 8. How did Hitler take over so much of Europe so quickly?

Embargo of Japan • Meanwhile, Japan is continuing to attack China’s cities. • As the Japanese become more and more aggressive, the United States refuses to trade several raw materials with Japan (oil, steel, etc. ). • This embargo really hurts the Japanese war efforts (we had 80% of their oil supply) and convinces them that the United States is out to get them. • While they want to expand towards Indonesia, they feel that would bring the US into the war. • When Tojo became prime minister, he pushes for a war with the US.

Attack at Pearl Harbor • Planned by Isoroku Yamamoto. • It would be a “knock out blow” designed to destroy the US fleet and force us to surrender. • A surprise attack on the American naval base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. • 8 battleships and 8 cruisers were lost along with 2, 400 lives. Carriers spared. • The attack brings the US into the war.

Attack at Pearl Harbor

Attack at Pearl Harbor • The day after the attack, FDR asks Congress for a declaration of war. • By the end of the month, Germany and Italy have declared war against the US. • The US is firmly involved in WWII. • Europe first policy. • Doolittle Raid.

Japan Runs Amuck I came out of Bataan and I shall return. —Douglas Mac. Arthur • Soon after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese overrun the European colonies. • The Japanese capture Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaya from the British, Dutch East Indies and French Indochina. • Also shortly after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese made bombing runs on the Philippines. • The Japanese prepare to invade in December of 1941 and continue their attacks until May of 1942. • US forces are forced back onto the Bataan Peninsula and the island of Corregidor. • American commander Douglas Mac. Arthur escapes before the troops fall. • The Japanese take over 100, 000 POW’s and force them to walk the grueling Bataan Death March where over 10, 000 die.

The Home Front • Many people join the armed forces. • FDR brings back the draft. 10 million drafted. • 16 million Americans will serve in the armed services and 400, 000 will be killed. • WAAC—Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps would free up valuable manpower for the war, but they wouldn’t get equal rank or pay. • 6 million women go to work— “Rosie the Riveter”

The Home Front • Most goods are rationed for the war effort: gas, leather, meat, sugar, coffee, etc. • People donated copper, tin, steel pots and pans as scrap metal. Rubber tires too. • All factories converted to war effort. • No strike pledge by unions. • Cartoons go to war.

Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

Japanese Internment • Nisei—Japanese people born in this country, were sent to live in internment camps. • Afraid they were spies. • 110, 000 sent away in Feb. 1942. (11, 000 Germans) • Held there until 1946. • 442 Reg. fought in Europe. — Highest decorated regiment in US Army history. (21 CMH, 52 DSC, 560 SS, 4, 000 BS, 9486 PH) • Korematsu vs US.

Question Time • 9. Why was Japan so angry with the US? • 10. Japan thought that they could knock us out of the way by attacking Pearl Harbor. Why were they wrong?

North Africa • Germans under Erwin Rommel drives across North Africa to get the oil fields and Suez Canal. • Germans are stopped by the British under Bernard Montgomery at El Alamein. • The first combat action carried by American forces in the European theater of war led by Dwight D. Eisenhower. • “Operation Torch” Americans land in Algeria and Morocco and move east. Meanwhile, Montgomery moves his forces west from Egypt. • The two armies link up in Tunisia and force the surrender of the Afrika Korps and 275, 000 forces. • It is the first major victory over the Axis in Europe.

Italian Campaign • In the summer of 1943, British and American units invade and take over Sicily. • They use the island as a base for an attack against Italy. • During the Sicilian Campaign, the Italians rose up and overthrew Mussolini and joined the Allied side.

• Starting in September, the Allies make landings on the “shoe” part and move up. • The battles through the mountains were rough, but a breakthrough was made at the Battle of Anzio where Americans landed near Rome. • On June 4, 1944 the Allies captured Rome, however it would still be a tough fight as the Allies pushed the Germans out of Italy. Italian Campaign

Normandy Invasion • Also known as D-Day. It is the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. • On June 6, 1944, over 150, 000 in the initial waves American, British, and Canadian men land on beaches codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword, and Juno on the coast of Normandy on the English Channel. • It is the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe. • Codenamed “Operation Overlord”, it will begin the drive to Berlin. • At the end of June, over 3 million Allied forces will have landed. • 1, 500 dead and 5, 200 wounded

Normandy Invasion

The Russian Front • The turning point in the Russian Front was the Battle of Stalingrad • It is the bloodiest battle in the war and in human history. Germany and her allies lost 850, 000 while the Soviets lost 1, 129, 619 (478, 741 killed and 650, 878 wounded). • The Germans wanted to capture the city and take the oil fields to the south. The Soviets were determined to hold the city that holds the name of their leader. • The Germans stormed into the city and captured it, inflicting many casualties on the Soviets. However, as the winter arriver, the Soviets counterattacked. • Hitler refused to allow his men to fall back and Stalin refused to allow his men to quit the battle. • Under Georgy Zhukov and Nikolai Vatutin, the Russians attacked the German rear and surrounded the Germans inside the city. Germans will surrender on Feb. 2, 1943. • From this point on, the Soviets will drive relentlessly back towards Berlin.

The Push to Germany • As the summer of 1944 wanes on, the Allies breakout of Normandy’s hedgerows. • Led by Omar Bradley and George Patton, the American armies push towards the German border. • Paris is liberated on August 25, 1944. • The British advance through Belgium and Holland.

Battle of the Bulge • A last ditch attempt by Hitler to save Germany. With the Allies approaching the Germany border, Hitler launches a massive surprise attack on the American lines. • 500, 000 US soldiers were attacked by 600, 000 Germans on Dec. 16, 1944. • As the Germans stormed through the US lines in the Ardennes forest, a bulge is formed in the lines. • When the lines are made stable by Christmas, the Germans have run out of gas and must fall back. • By January 25, the lines are back to where they belong. • It is the largest battle in US history. It also helped to speed up the war.

Election of 1944 • FDR runs for 4 th term against Thomas E. Dewey of NY. • FDR wins fairly easily although Dewey did better than any other Republican. • FDR’s health.

Yalta Conference • A meeting held in the Russia resort of Yalta February 4 to 11, 1945 between Winston Churchill, Stalin, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. • The meeting discussed the goals for the final months of the war: Unconditional surrender of Germany, Division of Germany into occupied zones, Demilitarization and Denazification of Germany, Reworking Poland’s borders, the United Nations, and getting the USSR to fight Japan.

I have a terrific headache. --FDR Death of FDR • FDR was getting a portrait painted of him in Warm Springs, GA on April 12, 1945. • He collapses and dies later on that evening of a cerebral hemorrhage. • Harry S. Truman became the next president.

Defeat of Germany • American forces cross the Rhine River at Remagen in March 1945. • Mussolini is executed by Italians. • Russians are poised to take over Berlin. • Allied bombers are destroying German factories and cities.

Defeat of Germany • 2. 5 million Soviet troops fight 1 million Germans in urban combat for Berlin. • The Germans, in a tough defense of the city, will lose 173, 000 while killing 100, 000 from April 16 to May 8. • Berlin is captured by the Soviet forces and Germany is compelled to surrender. • Hitler commits suicide on April 30 • V-E Day: Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945. It is the day that Germany surrenders.

Potsdam Conference • A conference of allied leaders Harry S. Truman, Stalin, and Clement Attlee from July 17 to August 2, 1945. • The conference dealt with Post-WWII issues: German territories, Division of Germany into occupied zones, War criminal trials, Reworking Poland’s borders, German reparations, and Japan. • It also focused on free elections in Eastern Europe where the Soviet Union had liberated the nations there.

Question Time • 11. What led to the ultimate victory over Germany? • 12. What decisions were made at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences to keep the peace after the war?

Battle of Midway • The major turning point in the Pacific Theater of WWII from June 4 -7, 1942. • The American fleet decodes secret Japanese communications and learn their plan of attack for the conquest of Midway Island and, eventually, Hawaii. • The US navy sets a trap and sinks 4 Japanese carriers. • It is a loss the Japanese can never recover. • It is the final offensive thrust by Japan.

Island Hopping • The strategy employed by the US of bypassing heavily fortified Japanese positions and instead concentrating on strategically important islands that were less well defended but capable of supporting the drive to the main islands of Japan. • The Allies would “hop” over the other islands on their way to Japan.

Guadalcanal • The first offensive move by the Americans in the Pacific. • The US landed 16, 000 men on the island in the Solomon Islands on August 7, 1942 and would fight until February 9, 1943. • The Japanese fought for every inch of land. • It was the first step in the “island hopping” campaign.

Return to the Philippines • Fought from October 23 -26, 1944 it was the battle that began the liberation of the Philippines from Japan. • One of the largest naval battles in history was fought off of the islands. It would practically finish off what was left of Japan’s navy as the Japanese lost 4 carriers, 3 battleships, and 20 other ships. • It would also be the first battle that the Kamikaze were employed. • Douglas Mac. Arthur led the drive that liberated the islands. I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil. —Douglas Mac. Arthur

Saipan • Island in the Northern Marianas chain that saw heavy fighting from June 15 to July 9, 1944. • Out of a force of 31, 000 men, the Japanese <> will lose 21, 000 killed in action and 9, 000 by suicide. • Only 921 were captured. • Hundreds of civilians also died by suicide as well.

Iwo Jima • Fought from February 16 to March 26, 1945, it was an American victory that put Japan within bomber range. • Only 1, 083 Japanese troops out of 21, 000 surrendered. • The US lost 7, 000 men in the battle.

Kamikaze • Japanese word for “divine wind”. • As the Americans creep closer to Japan, the Japanese become desperate. • They begin to load their planes up with bombs and extra fuel and deliberately crash them into the American ships. • 3, 912 Japanese will sacrifice themselves for their emperor. • 34 navy ships were lost and 368 were damaged at a cost of 4, 900 dead and 4, 800 wounded. • Only 14% of the kamikazes hit their target, but the desperate efforts help led to the Manhattan Project.

Okinawa • One of the bloodiest battles, and final battles, of the war. • Fought from April 1 to June 21, 1945, 18, 900 marines were killed with another 38, 000 wounded as the Americans close in on the Japanese home islands. • 110, 000 Japanese died with only 2, 300 Japanese captured. • On this battle, the Japanese sent wave after wave of kamikaze attacks and suicidal charges against the American forces. • The island was only about 300 miles from the Japan itself.

Operation Downfall • Proposed 2 -part invasion of Japan that would take place in Nov. 1945. • Estimated that a 90 day Olympic campaign and Coronet took another 90 days, the combined cost would be 1, 200, 000 casualties, with 267, 000 fatalities. • Japan was preparing for an attack at home.

The Manhattan Project • Code name used for development of nuclear weapons at Los Alamos, NM and Oak Ridge, TN. • Led by J. Robert Oppenheimer and others, physicists attempt to create nuclear fission and then harness this energy for the first nuclear weapons. • Two bombs were made: one from uranium and one from plutonium.

Using the Atomic Bomb • • • It would help to end the war quicker. Japan seemed to want to fight to the death. Japan refused to surrender. Would save American lives. Scare Soviet Union in future. Prevent Soviet Union from taking over too much land in Asia.

Hiroshima • The first time nuclear weapons were ever used in combat. • On Aug. 6, 1945, a B-29 named Enola Gay dropped the uranium “Little Boy” on Hiroshima. • 70 -100, 000 people were killed with over 90% of the city destroyed.

Nagasaki • Three days later, Bockscar drops “Fat Man” on Nagasaki. • Again, 80, 000 die in and following the attack. • On August 14, the Japanese agree to surrender.

Question Time • 13. What was the rationale behind dropping the atomic bombs? • 14. Why were the Japanese such determined fighters?

End of the War • Victory in Japan Day, Aug. 15, 1945. • It is the day that Japan agrees to surrender and end the war. • The formal surrender takes place on September 2, 1945 on the USS Missouri.

Holocaust • “The Final Solution” • Over 6 million Jews and 6 million others (Poles, Russians, Gypsies, Handicapped, Mentally Ill, Catholics, Communists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Homosexuals, etc. ) were killed in concentration camps. • The Final Solution refers to the “final solution of the Jewish Question”…what to do with the Jews. • Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi death camps. Between 1 -2 million people die at this camp alone. (on average 1, 200 a die from its opening in 1940 to liberation on Jan. 27, 1945)

Persecution of the Jews • Nuremburg Laws: Began in 1935, they were laws that denied the Jewish populations in Germany rights. Jews were denied certain jobs, had their citizenship stripped, and could not own property. They also had to wear golden Stars of David on their outer clothing to identify themselves as Jews. • Kristallnacht: A massive nationwide pogrom in Germany and Austria on the night of November 9, 1938. It was directed at Jewish citizens throughout the country. The Nazi government helped organize it by attacking German shops and synagogues 100 Jews were killed during the pogrom. It was a major step in the persecution of Jews in Nazi controlled areas and would eventually lead to the Holocaust. • Ghettos: Areas of a city that were normally run down and occupied by the Jews. As the war goes on, all Jews are herded into these neighborhoods that are run down and are given little food and water. The crowding causes diseases to spread rather quickly. It would later be used as a final step before deporting the Jews altogether.

Holocaust

Holocaust

Nuremburg Trials • War crime trials held from 1945 to 1949 to convict Nazi leaders for various war crimes. • Out of the 24 major criminals, 12 are sentenced to be executed and 3 are sent to life. • Others have other sentences or are acquitted. • Overall, about 185 individuals were indicted in the 12 cases. • A number of doctors and SS leaders were condemned to death by hanging, and approximately 120 other defendants were given prison sentences of various durations; 35 defendants were acquitted. • It is a landmark for the upholding of human rights in the world.

Legacy of the War • • • UN will replace the League of Nations US will occupy Japan and help to democratize it. Germany will be divided up. Human Rights will become a major issue following the war. Civil Rights Movement in America. Cold War will begin. No wars for conquest is tolerated. Women work outside of the home. Philippines become independent on July 4, 1946. We acquire Northern Marianas chain from Japan and administer many island groups in the Pacific Ocean.

Race Relations in the War • Blacks fought in segregated units. • Japanese-Americans could only fight in Europe. • Navajo Indians used as “code talkers” in the Pacific Theater. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz pins Navy Cross on Doris Miller, at ceremony on board warship in Pearl Harbor, 27 May 1942

WWII Weapons

Question Time • 15. Describe some of the events of the Holocaust. • 16. Why are the Nuremburg Trials so important? • 17. What was ironic about minorities fighting in the US concerning the way they were treated?