Transcript Slide 1

By the 1930’s Dictators or absolute rulers, had seized
control in many countries.
--The Raise to power was due largely in part to economic
and political factors that dated back to WWI.
1. Mussolini- Leader of Italy, (Il Duce). Practiced Fascism- Preached an extreme
form of patriotism and nationalism that was often linked to Racism.
2. Hitler- Was voted into power as the leader of the new Nazi Party, then overthrew
the constitution (very inspirational speaker and convincing Leader).
Nazi Party-Gained power by preaching German Racial
Superiority. Promised to avenge defeat of WWI.
3. Stalin- Joseph Stalin was Vladimir Lenin’s successor in Russia. He tried to
control every aspect of life in the nation Crushed opposition.
Japan’s Military pushed the island nation to grab more land and
resources (attacked and conquered Manchuria).
Both Italy and Germany sought new territory Italy attacked Ethiopia.
In 1936 Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland along the French Boarder,
This was Prohibited in the Versailles Treaty, yet it was allowed, He then
invaded Austria.
--Hitler now wanted the
Sudetenland, which is
Czechoslovakia, (German
Ancestors).
--Britain let Germany invade
and take over Czech in a treaty
(Example of Appeasement).
Appeasement- In this they gave
into Germany’s demands in
order to avoid war.
Hitler soon broke his promise by invading Poland. France and
Britain assumed they had an ally in Stalin and the USSR. They
were wrong.
They agreed with each other in a pact not to fight or invade each other.
On September 1st Germany invaded Poland (It stressed speed and surprise)
Great Britain and France declared war.
Using Planes and bombings mostly (Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands,
Denmark and Norway fell soon.)
Germany then attacked France, It fell in 2 weeks.
--Massive bombing attacks on Britain, especially London (created
massive fires)
-- Royal Air Force held Hitler off and frustrated him.
--Hitler feared Soviet
ambitions in Europe.
--Invaded Russia moving
through easily,
destroying Russian
soldiers.
--Leningrad and
Stalingrad stood in the
way of Moscow.
--Worst winter ever
stalemate (The
cauldron).
Allowed the
U.S. to lend
or lease
materials,
equipment,
and
weapons to
the allies.
--Sent 50
Billion
dollars in
aid.
--In 1940 Japan joined the
alliance with Germany and Italy
--Planned on invading the Dutch
West Indies and Asian territories,
only America Stood in the Way.
--Dec. 7, 1941—2,400 Americans
Dead.
--War declared on Japan,
Germany and Italy Soon declared
war on the U.S.
Mobilizing for War:
Millions of
Americans quickly volunteered for military
duty.
Millions more were drafted.
All Ethnic & Racial groups fought
(Tuskegee Airman).
--Americans and Russians wanted to
invade Europe immediately, but Britain
convinced them that it would be smarter
to drive Nazis out of North Africa and
Italy 1st.
--Nazi General Rommel “Dessert Fox”
proved to be a tough enemy.
--Finally took North Africa and then Italy,
People of Italy turned against Mussolini.
Italy switched sides.
D-Day: (June 6, 1944) Largest Seaborne invasion in history 130,000 soldiers carried across the
English Channel Fierce battle supported by 101st Airborne drops.
Americans slowly advanced across Europe liberating France, Holland, Belgium and More.
Battle of the Bulge- German troops attacked U.S. Troops in the Ardenes Mountain Range
in Belgium.
--U.S. Troops pushed them back and won (costly battle).
--The Germans were retreating everywhere.
--In April 1945 Russian Troops reached Berlin as they closed in Hitler committed Suicide in his
bunker.
--May 8th V.E. Day  German Army Surrendered.
Yalta Conference- Allied leaders (Stalin, FDR, and Churchill) met to make plans for the end
of the war and the future of Europe. Roosevelt died 2 months later (Harry S. Truman became
President).
6 Million Men, Women, and
Children were killed of Jewish
descent 2/3 of the European
Jewish Population.
--Also killed gypsies, poles, and
handicapped.
Japan Expands It’s Empire: Shortly after
Pearl Harbor Japan attacked and destroyed
American/British Troops throughout S.E. Asia.
--Pushed America out of the Philippines. U.S.
Troops Captured.
U.S. and Japanese Navies squared off at Midway Island. U.S.
destroyed 4 Japanese carriers and 250 planes, Japanese only
sunk 1 U.S. Ship and 150 planes. (Battle was turning point of
the war).
Island Hopping: Rather than attempt to take every
Japanese held island, the allies decided to invade islands that
were not heavily defended. Then use these islands to stage
farther attacks.
Navajo Code Talkers: To keep Japanese intelligence from breaking its codes, the U.S. Military
began using the Navajo language to transmit important messages. (400 Navajo recruited).
--U.S. defeated Japanese @ Philippines, badly hurting Japanese Navy, McArthur Returned!!!
--Japanese weapon of Suicide Pilots
--Filled their planes with explosives and crashed them
into allied ships.
Allies needed bases closer to Japan, they choose Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Japanese defended both islands fiercely. 23,000 U.S. casualties on Iwo Jima.
In the summer of 1945 Japan continued
to fight, U.S. planned to invade Japan in
November.
--American officials feared an invasion
of Japan would cost 200,000 American
Casualties. So they considered using
an atomic bomb.
--Top secret program to build an atomic bomb led by scientist J. Robert Openheimer
--Once the bomb was finished and successfully tested Truman threatened Japan of destruction if it
did not surrender. Japan refused.
On August 6th 1945 the U.S. dropped an Atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima killing 70,000 people
(men, women, and children).
They still refused to surrender, so on August 9th the U.S. dropped a 2nd bomb on Nagasaki killing
40,000.
On August 14th Japan surrendered.
The War’s Human Cost: About 20 Million soldiers were killed and millions more wounded.
Soviets lost 7.5 Million Dead-----------------------------------Americans lost 400,000 dead (600,000 wounded)
--Both sides fought a war without boundaries.
--War also included about 21 million refugees trying to put their lives back together.
The war left many of the world’s economies in ruins (Bombings had destroyed factories,
railroads and other buildings).
--Only the U.S. came out with a strong economy.
Marshal Plan- Made by the U.S. to help boost the
economies of Europe. Under the plan the U.S. gave
more than 13 billion dollars to help with the
economies of Europe.
--The U.S. faced many social changes after the war. Had to deal with millions of
soldiers coming home (competition for jobs and education was high).
G.I. Bill- Provided Education and Economic help
to veterans.
--Paid for their schooling and gave them living
allowances.
--The world had to deal with war criminals. Especially Nazis who played large roles in Jewish
death camps. (Charges included crimes against humanity)
--1-year long trial—19 defendants found guilty12 sentenced to death185 other Nazis were
found guilty in later trials.
--The Nuremberg trials upheld an important idea that people are responsible for their own actions
even in wartime.
--Nations must work together to insure peace. (League of Nations Failures).
--International peace organization.
--In 1948 the UN helped found the Nation of Israel to create a homeland for Jews in Palestine.
Fighting immediately broke out Arab nations attacked Israel.
--Colonies around the world started fighting for Independence.
--The U.S. was more concerned with the rise of the Soviet Union.
--The Soviet Union wanted to spread Communism and the U.S. wanted to put a halt to it, this led to
conflict (Atomic Age/Cold War).