1. WWII Players and Their Games
How WWII Began

2. FRANCE (Allies)
Leader(s): Albert Lebrun, who was a weak leader. Eventually Charles de Gaulle, a military general took over during WWII.
Domestic (Home) issues/concerns/goals: Since France and Germany border each other, France tried to keep Germany from taking over their land while dealing with a new government.
International issues: Had control of colonies in Africa. Helped Britain when Germany invaded Poland.

3. Germany (Axis)
Leader: Adolf Hitler, known as a Füher, who ruled by terror. His Anti-Semitic beliefs led to the Holocaust.
Domestic Issues, concerns, goals: High inflation and unemployment because of Treaty of Versailles war reparations.
International Issues: Wanted to regain pre-WWI power/land/economy. Invaded Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland, splitting most of Eastern Europe with Russia.

4. Great Britain (Allies)
Leader(s): Neville Chamberlin was replaced by Winston Churchill, who was a more effective Prime Minister by building British morale and eventually winning a Noble Peace Prize
Domestic Issues: In debt to the US for over $900 million from WWI loans
International issues: Worldwide investments were wiped out. Tried to limit the expansion of Germany in Europe and Africa.

5. Italy (Axis)
Leader: Benito Mussolini, dictator who also ruled by terror, lead the Fascist party.
Domestic Issues: Fascists controlled a military-led government, leading to much civil unrest
International Issues: Signed an agreement with France for and alliance against Hitler, then sent forces to Eritrea and Somalia to attack Ethiopia.

6. Japan (Axis)
Leader(s): Emperor Hirohito, General Hideki Tojo, who ordered the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Wanted to create a New World Order.
Domestic issues: Wanted to imitate/mimic Western culture to remain a top world power.
International Issues: To achieve and maintain world power, and not fail like China, Japan needed to take over French and British colonies in the Far East.

7. Russia aka Soviet Union (Allies)
Leader: Joseph Stalin took over after Vladimir Lenin and turned Russia into a Communist country.
Domestic Issues: Turned from an agriculture-based economy to more industrial economy.
International Issues: Signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler (Germany) to divide and control Eastern European counties.

8. United States (Allies)
Leader(s) President Franklin Roosevelt was in power during most of the war (elected 4 times) although he was battling Polio. Harry Truman was president by the end of the war. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces and organized the D-Day invasion through his military leadership.
Domestic Issues: Wanted to focus on economic reforms and recovery, while remaining neutral.
International Issues: Supported the Allies with weapons and other war supplies.