A Prelude to WarA Prelude to WarUnit 14 Unit 14

The Interwar YearsThe Interwar Years

&&

World War IIWorld War II

Storm BrewingStorm Brewing• Economic trouble and desperation in Economic trouble and desperation in

EuropeEurope• Some European nations still hadn’t Some European nations still hadn’t

recovered since World War I ended (1918)recovered since World War I ended (1918)• Many of these nations had to rebuild Many of these nations had to rebuild

(factories, homes, other structures)(factories, homes, other structures)• Many were concerned about survival that Many were concerned about survival that

they didn’t think about government and they didn’t think about government and political platformspolitical platforms

• Leaders would emerge to take advantage Leaders would emerge to take advantage of the situation.of the situation.

Germany after World War IGermany after World War I• The depression crushes Germany The depression crushes Germany • The The Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles required Germany required Germany

to: to: • Military, Territorial, and Economic Military, Territorial, and Economic

stipulationsstipulations• Reparations of more than 33 billion dollars.Reparations of more than 33 billion dollars.• In order to pay the reparations, Germany In order to pay the reparations, Germany

began to print more moneybegan to print more money• This made the currency less valuable This made the currency less valuable

((InflationInflation))• Germany was also forced to give up Germany was also forced to give up

importantimportanteconomic territories (colonies)economic territories (colonies)

• These reasons led to the rise of These reasons led to the rise of dictators dictators (rulers who have complete control)(rulers who have complete control)

The Rise of FascismThe Rise of Fascism

• Widespread economic despair paved the way for the rise of dictators

• Strong leaders in Italy and Germany promised solutions

• Germany – Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler • Italy – Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini• FascismFascism is the rule of a people by

dictatorial government that is extremely nationalistic, imperialistic, and sometimes even racist.

FascismFascismUse of violence and terror

Blind loyalty to leader Rule by dictator

Strict discipline

State control of economy

Extreme Nationalism

Censorship and governmentcontrol of newsStrong military

1919 -19391919 -1939

Why did people support Hitler?Why did people support Hitler?•Hitler and the Nazi party Hitler and the Nazi party promised people what they promised people what they

wantedwanted•The The Weimar RepublicWeimar Republic

appeared to have no idea how to appeared to have no idea how to solve the problems of the solve the problems of the

Depression. Depression. •Hitler used the Jews and Hitler used the Jews and

others as scapegoats, blaming others as scapegoats, blaming all the problems on them.all the problems on them.

•To Germans at the time Hitler To Germans at the time Hitler made sense, he united everyone made sense, he united everyone

by providing explanations for by providing explanations for Germany's problems.Germany's problems.

•People in Germany were tired People in Germany were tired of their poor quality of life. of their poor quality of life. •Hitler promised to make Hitler promised to make

Germany proud again…it was Germany proud again…it was exactly what people wanted to exactly what people wanted to

hear. hear. •The Third ReichThe Third Reich had begun had begun

Handout

The The FuhrFuhr

ererAdolf Hitler

*The RIGHT essentially plays up the role of the individual… In Fascism, individuals dominating industry and military control the government.

*The LEFT essentially plays up the role of society, and the community as a whole. In Russian Communism the government controls industry…

THE RISE OF BENITO THE RISE OF BENITO MUSSOLINIMUSSOLINI

•Italy was troubled after WWIItaly was troubled after WWI•Mussolini’s visit with the King: “Can Mussolini’s visit with the King: “Can I be Prime Minister? I will clean up I be Prime Minister? I will clean up the streets.”the streets.”•Mussolini and the Mussolini and the Matteotti Matteotti incidentincident: Parliament issues full : Parliament issues full power to Mussolini similarly to Hitler power to Mussolini similarly to Hitler will after the fire.will after the fire.•When Benito Mussolini's When Benito Mussolini's Fascist Fascist PartyParty came to power in Italy in came to power in Italy in 19221922, , he wanted to link his own regime's he wanted to link his own regime's existence with the glories of the past existence with the glories of the past Roman Empire.Roman Empire.•Mussolini promised to end Mussolini promised to end unemployment and gain land for unemployment and gain land for ItalyItaly•To do so, the Fascists used force To do so, the Fascists used force and terror to gain control of Italyand terror to gain control of Italy•Censored free elections, free Censored free elections, free speech, and free press.speech, and free press.•They even killed or jailed enemiesThey even killed or jailed enemies•Mussolini was known as Mussolini was known as Il DuceIl Duce..

BENITO MUSSOLINIBENITO MUSSOLINI

What Happens to Lenin?What Happens to Lenin?• Before Lenin dies: A couple of things: • 1) Everyone assumes Trotsky is the successor…

but Lenin feels he is egocentric.• 2) He wants Stalin to be removed from his post

as Secretary General. • 3) Like Rome before, no successor=major

instability• Lenin dies in 1924• Despite the “trash talk” Joseph Stalin acted on

his best behavior to ‘win over’ his colleagues. • Joseph Stalin emerges through an immense

power struggle among Communist Party Leaders• Stalin launches “The Great Purge”• Stalin accused thousands of people of crimes

against the government. (Trotsky- while forced to Mexico, did not escape the purge!)

• Stalin ruled through terror and brutality• Many of the accused were exiled, sent to prison

camps, or executed• The Soviet Union turned into a totalitarian

regime. (Government that regulates every aspect of the lives of its citizens)

Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili

A.K.A.Joseph Stalin

FIRST LEADERS OF THE SOVIET UNIONFIRST LEADERS OF THE SOVIET UNION

LeninLenin(1917-1924)(1917-1924)

•Chief GoalChief Goal:: to to create a classless create a classless society with society with production in the production in the hands of the hands of the peoplepeople•Allows some Allows some private business; private business; lets some lets some peasants hold peasants hold landland•Standards of Standards of living rises for living rises for many workers and many workers and peasantspeasants

SharedShared

•Became Became Communist Communist Party LeaderParty Leader

•Uses secret Uses secret police to police to enforce enforce Communist Communist willwill

•Wants to Wants to bring about bring about a world wide a world wide Communist Communist revolutionrevolution

Stalin Stalin (1924-1953)(1924-1953)

•Chief Goal:Chief Goal: to to make the Soviet make the Soviet Union into a Union into a modern industrial modern industrial power with all power with all production under production under government government controlcontrol•Sets up Sets up Five-Year Five-Year PlansPlans•Forces peasants Forces peasants to live on group to live on group farmsfarms•Standard of living Standard of living falls for most falls for most workers and workers and peasantspeasants

• Stalin’s collectivization program called for peasants to give up their small farms and live on state-owned ones.

• The government controlled prices and farm supplies and set production quotas.

• Many peasants resisted by growing just enough to eat…

• But Stalin’s policies were devastating

• Stalin accused the peasants of being kulaks (rich peasants living very well while others starved)

• The NKVD (formally known as the Checka, went round the villages confiscating food…Some reports state about 15 million people starving!

Emperor Hirohito was the longest-

reigning monarch in Japan's history, ruling from 1926 until his death in

1989.

By the time his 63-year reign came to an end, Japan had

risen like a Phoenix out of the postwar rubble to become one of the

world's richest countries. It was in demonstrating this remarkable

capacity for change that

Hirohito truly became the living

symbol of his people.

Emperor HirohitoEmperor Hirohito

Japan and MilitarismJapan and Militarism• Japan had been a democracy during the 1920’sJapan had been a democracy during the 1920’s• When the Great Depression hit in 1929, many were When the Great Depression hit in 1929, many were

speculating if capitalism was “right” for themspeculating if capitalism was “right” for them• Militarists and extreme nationalists gained powerMilitarists and extreme nationalists gained power

•Many were unhappy over the loss of traditions, Many were unhappy over the loss of traditions, were unemployed, poverty stricken, and wanted were unemployed, poverty stricken, and wanted gloryglory•Therefore, Japan would end many democratic Therefore, Japan would end many democratic feelings, increase honor for Emperor Hirohito, and feelings, increase honor for Emperor Hirohito, and would seek to expand territory.would seek to expand territory.

Dictators seek to expand territoryDictators seek to expand territory

1. Japan will invade China (1931)

2. Italy will attack Ethiopia (1935-1936)

3. German Aggression in Europe (1935)

Japan invades ManchuriaJapan invades Manchuria•Japan will seize the Japan will seize the Chinese territory of Chinese territory of Manchuria.Manchuria.•This infuriates the League This infuriates the League of Nations since Japan is of Nations since Japan is one of the official members.one of the official members.•So what happens?So what happens?•Japan withdrew its Japan withdrew its membership from the membership from the League.League.•In 1937, the Japanese In 1937, the Japanese army will continue the army will continue the invasion, moving further invasion, moving further into the Chinese mainland.into the Chinese mainland.•One of the invasion points One of the invasion points was the city of Nanjing was the city of Nanjing (Nanking).(Nanking).•The invasion was so brutal The invasion was so brutal it was referred to as “the it was referred to as “the rape of Nanjing”rape of Nanjing”

GendercideGendercide• The total number of

civilians and prisoners-of-war murdered in Nanking during the first six weeks of the Japanese occupation was over 200,000.

• These estimates are not exaggerated by the fact that burial societies and other organizations counted more than 155,000 bodies which they buried

• ...these figures do not take into account those persons whose bodies were destroyed by burning or by throwing them into the Yangtze River or otherwise disposed of by the Japanese.

Murdered Chinese women and children are strewn across the steps of a Nanjing building.

Gendercide: gender-selective mass killing

As the twentieth century dawns, Japan begins to

expand its imperial reach, responding to a perceived threat from expanding western nations, such as Russia

and Britain.

In 1931, Japan In 1931, Japan invades and invades and

claims the rest claims the rest of Manchuria. of Manchuria.

Japan Japan invades invades China in China in

1937, 1937, marching marching

into French into French Indochina Indochina by 1940. In by 1940. In

Europe, Europe, Adolf Adolf

Hitler's Hitler's armies now armies now

occupy occupy much of much of central central Europe, Europe,

including including France. The France. The world is at world is at

war. war.

By 1942, at the By 1942, at the height of its height of its

wartime success, wartime success, Japan will have Japan will have

massed over five massed over five million troops, million troops, expanding its expanding its

empire to include empire to include the Philippines and the Philippines and

much of the much of the Southwest Pacific. Southwest Pacific.

Hideki TojoHideki Tojo

Back Page

•Prime Minister, Chief of Prime Minister, Chief of Staff of the Army, and Staff of the Army, and Minister of War from Minister of War from October 1941 until July October 1941 until July 1944.1944.•Tojo could almost be Tojo could almost be described as the dictator of described as the dictator of Japan. Japan. •He was the principal He was the principal director of all Japanese war director of all Japanese war operations. operations.

Events in JapanEvents in Japan1929 - 19401929 - 1940

19291929 The Great Depression hits JapanThe Great Depression hits Japan

1931 Japan takes control of Manchuria, China

1933 1933 Japan withdraws from League of Japan withdraws from League of NationsNations1937 Japanese troops kill hundreds of thousands of civilians in Nanjing, China

1940 1940 Japan attempts to expand its power Japan attempts to expand its power in Asia in Asia by proposing an economic by proposing an economic alliance of Asian alliance of Asian nationsnations

European European AdvancementsAdvancements Back Page

LebensraumLebensraum• In Hitler's book, In Hitler's book, Mein KampfMein Kampf, he detailed his belief , he detailed his belief

that the German people needed that the German people needed LebensraumLebensraum ("living ("living space", i.e. land and raw materials), and that it space", i.e. land and raw materials), and that it should be found in the East. should be found in the East.

• It was the stated policy of the Nazis to kill, deport, or It was the stated policy of the Nazis to kill, deport, or enslave the Polish, Russian and other Slavic enslave the Polish, Russian and other Slavic populations, whom they considered inferior, and to populations, whom they considered inferior, and to repopulate the land with Germanic peoples. repopulate the land with Germanic peoples.

• The entire urban population was to be exterminated The entire urban population was to be exterminated by starvation, thus creating an agricultural surplus to by starvation, thus creating an agricultural surplus to feed Germany and allowing their replacement by a feed Germany and allowing their replacement by a German upper class. German upper class.

The Road to WarThe Road to War

• January 30, 1933 Hitler is appointed Prime Minister of Germany• 1933-5 Hitler violates terms of the Treaty of Versailles by

increasing the size of the German army, navy, and air force. Germany also withdrew from the League of Nations.

• 1935 Germany occupies the Rhineland (border of France and Belgium). Puts Military there. (Nothing Done)

• 1936 Italy invades Ethiopia – Ethiopia will appeal to League of Nations but, no nation was willing to get involved (Risk another World War)

• 1937 Japan opens up full scale invasion of China. U.S. government does nothing. Japanese airplanes sink

the U.S. gunboat “Pane.” U.S. protests are met by Japanese apologies and compensation for damages.

• 1938 - Spring Germany annexes Austria (makes Austria a part of Germany). (Nothing Done)

Germany threatens a European war if Czechoslovakia does not hand over large portions of territory to Germany. (The Sudetenland) Hitler promises that this is his last demand. Allies agree. FDR refuses to involve the US in European problems.

So how was Hitler faring in his first five years on the job?

Time Time MagazinMagazin

e’s,e’s, Man of Man of

the Year the Year 1938!1938!

TriviaWho was Time Life’s Man of the Year in 1939 and

1942?

It had to be him right?

Hitler and Mussolini sign the Rome-Berlin Axis 1936

Japan will soon follow, creating

what we know as the Axis Powers

German Aggression in Europe German Aggression in Europe and Appeasementand Appeasement

• In 1938, Hitler invades Austria (Austria welcomes the In 1938, Hitler invades Austria (Austria welcomes the unification) and then looks to the Sudetenland. (a region unification) and then looks to the Sudetenland. (a region of Czechoslovakia-Czechoslovakia does not support of Czechoslovakia-Czechoslovakia does not support annexation, but yet many Germans live there)annexation, but yet many Germans live there)

• Obviously western democracies responded weakly to Obviously western democracies responded weakly to German aggressionGerman aggression

• Leaders will gather in Munich, Germany for a conference Leaders will gather in Munich, Germany for a conference to discuss the happenings in Europe. to discuss the happenings in Europe.

• The conference was appropriately named… (The Munich The conference was appropriately named… (The Munich Conference)Conference)

• In an unbelievable decision, western democracies led by In an unbelievable decision, western democracies led by British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlin, agree to British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlin, agree to allow Germany to seize control of the Sudetenland from allow Germany to seize control of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia.

• This became better known as the This became better known as the Appeasement at Appeasement at MunichMunich..

• ““Peace in our Time!”Peace in our Time!”• Hmm. Seeing the pattern here, what will happen next?Hmm. Seeing the pattern here, what will happen next?

•1939 – Spring Hitler breaks promise and takes over the rest of Czechoslovakia•1939 – Aug 23 Stalin and Hitler surprise everyone by signing a non-aggression pact.

Hitler and Stalin would not attack each other. Why is this important? Think back to WWI.•1939 – Sep 1 Germany invades Poland. Soviet Union also invades Poland and the nation is divided between Germany and the Soviet Union per their pact. (The Nazi-Soviet Pact divided Poland between the two.)

Two days later, Britain and France declare war on Germany.

The Road to WarThe Road to War

The Massacre in the Woods

Stalin’s evil reign continues… •The NKVD (The New Checka,) will shoot some 10,000 Polish officer POW’s in Katyn Forest. •Most of these men would have eventually lead Poland after the war… •They never got a chance•The incident was denied until 1991, when Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin apologized for the incident

"Katyn, Russia, April 1943. The Germans discovered here the bodies of 4,500 Polish officers buried in mass graves. A Red Cross commission concluded that they had been killed by Soviet troops in the spring of 1940, when around 25,000 people disappeared. Until 1989 the Communist government in Poland and Communists throughout the world attributed the massacre to the Germans."

The World at The World at WarWar

Axis PowersAxis Powers• GermanyGermany• ItalyItaly• JapanJapan

Allied PowersAllied Powers• BritainBritain• FranceFrance• Soviet Union (Later on)Soviet Union (Later on)

• ChinaChina• U.S. (later on)U.S. (later on)• 41 other nations 41 other nations

A View of the WorldA View of the WorldAfter After WWIWWI

•BlitzkriegBlitzkrieg = lightning warfarelightning warfare•In less than a month, Poland

fell to Germany and the Soviet Union

•In 1940, Germany conquered Denmark, Norway, Belgium,

Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

•However, France was well equipped with the “the best”

defense system the world had seen… The Maginot

Line.

German BlitzkriegGerman Blitzkrieg

FRANCEFRANCE“THE “THE

IMPENETRABLE IMPENETRABLE COUNTRY”COUNTRY”

• The Maginot Line was such an impressive piece of construction that people from around the world visited it.

• However, the Maginot Line had two major failings – it was obviously not mobile and it assumed that the Ardennes (the forest area) was impenetrable.

• The German Army attacked through the Ardennes • One million men and 1,500 tanks crossed the seemingly impenetrable forests in

the Ardennes. • Once the Maginot Line had been isolated it had little military importance.• In 1940, France too would fall victim.• It took less than two weeks!• By June of 1940, Germans had entered Paris.• Many of the French surrendered after the government signed its surrender with

Germany – few had to be captured in battle.• One in seven French divisions was a fortress division - so the Maginot Line

took out 15% of the French Army. Though not a huge figure, these men may have had an impact on the advance of the Germans or at least got evacuated at Dunkirk to fight another time. 

VICHY FRANCEVICHY FRANCE•Charles De GaulleCharles De Gaulle

managed to escape to managed to escape to England just before the England just before the armistice was signed by armistice was signed by the French government the French government handing France to the handing France to the

Nazis. From England, he Nazis. From England, he spent the next 4 years spent the next 4 years organizing increasing organizing increasing French resistance and French resistance and

calling for support from calling for support from French colonies. French colonies.

•He proclaimed himself He proclaimed himself the leader of the Free the leader of the Free

French (later the Fighting French (later the Fighting French) forces. De Gaulle French) forces. De Gaulle

found himself with a found himself with a French navy, air force, French navy, air force, and army, which were and army, which were

under the general under the general command of the British.command of the British.

During World War II (1939-During World War II (1939-1945), Nazi Germany defeated 1945), Nazi Germany defeated

France in 1940 and occupied the France in 1940 and occupied the northern part of the country. northern part of the country.

The Battle of Britain

• Even though France fell to the Germans, The British didn’t have intention of quitting.

• “We shall defend every village, every town, and every city”

• This was the quote by new British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill

• The decision surprised everyone. Hitler did not really have intentions of taking Britain…

• Hitler was aware that the strength of Britain was the RAF (Royal Air Force)

• Hitler focused his attention on defeating the RAF with his own air force called the Luftwaffe

• The Luftwaffe unleashed massive bombing attacks on Britain (London)

• Despite constant bombing, the British did not surrender

OPERATION: SEALIONOPERATION: SEALIONBritain holds on primarily because the Luftwaffe bombed London instead of focusing on the RAF

AirfieldsThe bombing terrified Londoners but it gave the RAF

time to recover.

LuftwaffeLuftwaffeMesserschmitt_ME109A.k.a. - “The Butcher”

German Home-frontGerman Home-front• Anti Semitism-Anti Semitism-

Hostility toward or Hostility toward or prejudice against Jewsprejudice against Jews

• Nuremberg LawsNuremberg Laws – – created a separate legal created a separate legal status for German Jews, status for German Jews, eliminating their eliminating their citizenship and many citizenship and many civilian property rights.civilian property rights.

• The Nuremberg LawsThe Nuremberg Laws defined a person as defined a person as Jewish based on ancestry Jewish based on ancestry blood rather than blood rather than religious beliefsreligious beliefs

• KristallnachtKristallnacht- “Night - “Night of the Broken Glass”of the Broken Glass”

• Nearly 100 Jews killed, Nearly 100 Jews killed, and thousands of Jewish and thousands of Jewish businesses and places of businesses and places of worship were destroyed. worship were destroyed.

Turning Points in the WarTurning Points in the War• Entry of the

United States (1941)

• Battle of Stalingrad (1942 – 1943)

• El Alamein (1942)

• Battle of The Coral Sea and Midway (1942)

• Invasion of Italy (1943)

• Invasion of Normandy (1944)

Entry of the Entry of the United States United States

(1941)(1941)

•TojoTojo made plans to invade the Dutch East Indies- a

source of oil-•Tojo believed one thing stood in their way- The

United States Navy•On December 7th, 1941December 7th, 1941,

Japanese warplanes bombed the huge American naval

base at Pearl HarborPearl Harbor•Before the day was over,

about 2,400 Americans-both servicemen and civilians

died. Many of the American warplanes and ships were

destroyed or damaged•““A date which will live in A date which will live in

infamy”infamy”-FDR-FDR

•The United States declares war on Japan

•Germany and Italy declare war on the United States

• Enormous task of mobilization; men and women volunteered for service

• Factories converted; “victory gardens” planted; scrap drives and recycling to collect materials

• Some negative effects of patriotism• Japanese Americans placed in internment camps

during the war

American Home FrontAmerican Home Front

THE EASTERN FRONTTHE EASTERN FRONT• OPERATION BARBAROSSA OPERATION BARBAROSSA • THE LENINGRAD SEIGETHE LENINGRAD SEIGE• STALINGRADSTALINGRAD

OPERATION OPERATION BARBAROSSABARBAROSSA

• While Hitler conquered Western Europe, Stalin and the Soviet army expanded its territory in Europe

• Hitler feared Soviet ambitions and didn’t trust Stalin’s intentions

• Hitler also wanted Soviet wheat and oil fields

• Non-Aggression Pact? • Broken!• As a result, Hitler invaded the

Soviet Union in 1941 (Operation Barbarossa)

• June 1941, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union had initial successes

• The Soviet Winter

•Germans attack Soviet city of Leningrad.•Germans blockade the city•3,000 people starved to death every day in Leningrad•Bodies were left in the street and were reduced to eating wallpaper paste and carpenter’s glue.•Stalin gave the city the title, “Hero City,” in honor of its brave stand.•Like Francis Scott Key and the Star Spangled Banner, Dmitri Shostakovitch writes a Leningrad Symphony during the seige. •The siege caused unparalleled famine in the Leningrad region through disruption of utilities, water, energy and food supplies. •1,500,000 soldiers and civilians dead and the evacuation of 1,400,000 more, mainly women and children: many of whom died during evacuation due to starvation and bombardment.•Economic destruction and human losses in Leningrad on both sides exceeded those of the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Moscow, or the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. •The siege of Leningrad is the most lethal siege in world history, and some historians speak of the siege operations in terms of genocide, as a "racially motivated starvation policy". (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Battle of Stalingrad (1942 – 1943)

Turning Point in EuropeTurning Point in Europe• The Red Army will

stand firm at Stalingrad

• Stalingrad was a powerful industrial city for the Soviet Union

• Hitler wanted to take the resources and cripple the Soviet’s morale at the same time

• One of the most brutal campaigns of the war

• Stalin refused to have “Stalingrad” fall.

• He insisted they fight- even without food…

• Weather and time allow the Soviets gained the upper-hand.

• Soon to be surrounded, Hitler orders the troops to stay and fight… reinforcements will be coming

• The German commander told Hitler that his troops had no ammunition.

• “Surrender is Forbidden”• 90,000 Axis - troops would be captured

and sent to Soviet prison camps• Nearly 1 million Soviet soldiers died

alone in the city’s defense.• But, the seemingly invincible Germany

army was now retreating to the West

Battle of Stalingrad (1942 – 1943)

Turning Point in EuropeTurning Point in Europe“Here was the

greatest misery that I have seen in my

whole life. An endless wailing of wounded and

dying men…most of them had received nothing to eat

for days”-Alois Dorner,

German soldier, January 1943

El Alamein (1942)

Nearly 250,000 Axis soldiers taken prisoner; with surrender, all of North Africa in Allied hands

Keys to El Alamein: The Suez Canal and oil fieldsAxis Powers will lose

• Afrika KorpsAfrika Korps led by Erwin Erwin Rommel = Desert Fox Rommel = Desert Fox (German) (German) Pushed British back into Egypt with power German Panzers (German Tanks)

• Traded blows for two years • British victory under Gen. Gen.

Bernard MontgomeryBernard Montgomery

Back-and-forth fighting

War in North Africa

• Soviets wanted European front

• Invasion of western North Africa

• Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower led troops

• Rommel caught between forces in east and west

• Supply problems worsened• Eventual surrender to Allies

Americans join the battle

Pacific ProblemsPacific Problems• Japan moves towards the Japan moves towards the

PhilippinesPhilippines• Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur was was

the American General the American General stationed there.stationed there.

• Japanese forces take the Japanese forces take the Philippines and MacArthur Philippines and MacArthur is forced to retreatis forced to retreat

• The Japanese will force up The Japanese will force up to 70,000 prisoners to to 70,000 prisoners to march up the march up the Bataan Bataan PeninsulaPeninsula to a distant to a distant prison camp.prison camp.

• This became better known This became better known as the as the Bataan Death MarchBataan Death March

• Many Americans and Many Americans and Filipinos will perish during Filipinos will perish during the walk and at the prison.the walk and at the prison.

Battle of The Coral Sea and Midway (1942)

• Midway: the “midway” point in the Pacific Ocean

• Japanese advantage—more ships and carriers

• U.S. advantage—Japanese secret code broken

• Japan’s navy suffered terrible blow

• Video: Battle 360 Midway

Battle of Midway

• Japan will attempt to invade Australia.

• Off northeast coast of Australia

• A Japanese advance had been stopped

Battle of the Coral Sea

Invasion of Italy (1943)Next Allied goal: Italy

itself • July 1943, Allied

soldiers landed on the island of Sicily

– Weak Italian resistance

– Benito Mussolini forced from power

• Allies capture Sicily – Made plans to invade

the Italian mainland – Hitler tried to

protect against the Allied march through Italy

• September 1943– Allies move into

southern Italy– Strong German

resistance as troops moved north

– Bloody fighting continued for months

In April 1945, Benito Mussolini

and Clara Petacci, Il Duce's mistress,

were captured near Lake Como in northern Italy.

They were later executed and the

corpses were taken to Milan and placed on public

display.

Invasion of Normandy (1944)Invasion of Normandy (1944)

•Soviet advance—pushing Hitler’s Soviet advance—pushing Hitler’s troops backward troops backward

•Axis forces with 2 million Axis forces with 2 million casualties—outnumbered and casualties—outnumbered and

outgunned outgunned •Early 1944, Siege of Leningrad Early 1944, Siege of Leningrad ends; more victories for Soviets ends; more victories for Soviets

followedfollowed•Axis forces driven back into Axis forces driven back into

central Europecentral Europe•Soviets within 40 miles of Berlin Soviets within 40 miles of Berlin

by February 1945 by February 1945

•Front in Western Europe Front in Western Europe •Sea and air assault led by Sea and air assault led by

Eisenhower Eisenhower •June 6, 1944, invasion at June 6, 1944, invasion at

NormandyNormandy•Victory came with high Victory came with high

casualtiescasualties•Paris free by end of Paris free by end of

August August

Soviets Reach the ReichstagSoviets Reach the Reichstag

A fierce opponent

• Battle of Iwo Jima• February 1945 island invasion;

750 miles south of Tokyo• 7,000 Americans died in month of

fighting; 20,000 Japanese died—only 1,000 surrendered

• The Atomic Bomb• Why drop an atomic bomb?• Japan would not surrender…• We wanted The Soviet Union to

know we had it. (Even though they already knew through spies!)

• Hiroshima• Nagasaki• Nearly 75% of the cities wiped out.• Believe it or not, some of the

research was conducted by the University of Chicago.

During World War II, Germany’s Nazi government deliberately murdered some 6 million Jews and 5 million others in Europe. These actions became known as the Holocaust.

The Holocaus

t

Conquered areas of Europe

• Millions of Jews came under Hitler’s power

• Nazi leaders adopted “Final Solution”—the deliberate mass execution of Jews

Concentration camps

• Slave labor camps set up to hold these “enemies of the state”

• Cruel medical experiments

• Large-scale executions with civilians gunned down

Killing begins

• Brutal treatment of Jewish civilians

• Forced to live in ghettos within a city

–400,000 Jews confined to Warsaw ghetto

The “Final Solution”

The Big Three and the Post War

Post War AftermathPost War Aftermath

WWII VISUAL PRESENTATION

WWII PROPAGANDA

POSTERS

“Hey you, have you

volunteered?”

In the sky, on the ground and

in the sea.

Let’s crush the enemy under an

avalanche of steel.

Beat them my son

There can only be one winner

In the deepest need Hindenburg chose Adolf Hitler for Reich Chancellor. You too should vote for List 1

This poster from around 1939 advertises the Volkswagen. The text: "Save 5 marks a week and you will drive your own car. "

“LONG LIVE GERMANY”