1. World War 2 and it’s Beginnings

2. World War 1- 1914- 1918  Fought over economic and colonial powers in Europe  Allies = France, Italy, Russia, UK, USA  Central powers = Austria- Hungary, Germany  Central powers lost the war  Ended in 1919 when Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles

3.  Required Germany to disarm, give up much of its territory and pay war damages to Allies  Was difficult on German economy  In 1919, Hitler began his rise to power by joining the Nazis and soon becoming their leader  He believed that he could restore Germany to its former glory  In 1933, Hitler was named the new dictator of Germany

4.  Many Germans, including Hitler, felt that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair  Hitler blamed Germany’s problems on Jewish people  When in power he began a plan to eliminate all Jews and people who went against his plan  He also wanted Germany to gain power in the world by occupying more territory

5.  He invaded Poland in Sept. 1939, which marked the beginning of WWII  UK and France declared war on Germany 2 days later  Allies = Canada, China, France, Soviet Union, UK and USA  Axis = Germany, Italy, Japan  In 1940, Germany quickly conquered Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and France  Germany tried defeating the UK in Aug. 1940, but were unsuccessful and retaliated in early 1941

6.  During this time, Benito Mussolini (Italy) began expanding their battle front into northern Africa  The UK went to help defend this land and were successful in May 1941  The USA remained relatively neutral through all this (supplied weapons and resources to the allies)  During this time, Japan was advancing their control over Asian countries  The US cut off exporting goods to Japan  Japan attacked military base of Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) in 1941 to regain these exports

7.  They were successful at first, but the US quickly fought back and declared war on Japan in Dec. 1941 along with Canada and the UK  The Allies began defeating the Axis after this point, regaining northern Africa in 1943 and advanced on France in 1944 (d-day- June 6)  The Allies steadily advanced throughout Europe  Hitler and the Nazis party surrendered in May 1945 and Hitler committed suicide

8. Assignment  Find a definition of the following terms; CommunismCommunism DemocracyDemocracy NationalismNationalism ImperialismImperialism FascismFascism MilitarismMilitarism

9.  Research which country each leader was from, what type of government they led, how long they were in power for and what side of the war they were on (allies or axis) Neville ChamberlainNeville Chamberlain Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin FD RooseveltFD Roosevelt Harry TrumanHarry Truman Charles du GaulleCharles du Gaulle William KingWilliam King Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler Hideki TojoHideki Tojo Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini