The Road to World War II

1939

Axis Powers

Germany – Adolf Hitler

Italy – Benito Mussolini

Japan - Emperor Hirohito

Allies

Great Britain

France

United States – After 1941

Austria

Hitler takes over Austria

No one stops him

England and France only complain

Sudetenland

Area Germany gave up after World War I

Lots of Germans live here

Hitler takes it over to “protect the Germans”

Appeasement

Munich Conference

England and France agree to let Hitler keep the Sudetenland

He promises not to take over any other countries

The Nazi-Soviet Pact

Stated that Germany and the Soviet Union would not attack each other

Each would remain neutral

Hitler wanted to make sure the Soviet Union does not get involved in the war

Stalin wanted to make sure Hitler is focused on the Allies

He also wants time to get ready to attack Germany.

Poland

Hitler does not keep his promises and attacks Poland

France and Great Britain declare war on Germany

World War II Begins!