World War II

Causes of World War II The terms of the Treaty of Versailles fail Dictators take control of Europe and Asia The appeasement of Germany fails Pearl Harbor attacked by Japan

Treaty of Versailles Violated Germany was upset by the terms of the treaty (especially the “war guilt” clause) and it rearmed Many of the war-torn nations in Europe looked to dictators to rule, rather than starting democracies (totalitarian governments)

American Neutrality American chose to stay out of the European conflict for the following three reasons: The devastation of WWI Isolationism Concerns about the Great Depression Congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1935 prohibiting the sell of weapons to warring nations

German Aggression Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland in 1936 Fearing another war, Britain and France did nothing Hitler then annexed Austria to Germany (he also wanted to annex the Sudetenland & Czechoslovakia)

Munich Pact Even though Italy & Germany displayed aggression in Europe, France & Britain chose to follow a policy of appeasement Appeasement is a policy in which it is believed that by giving in to an aggressor’s demands, the aggressor will be satisfied and future conflicts can be avoided They solidified this policy in the Munich Pact This pact allowed Hitler to take of the Sudetenland, if he would claim no other land

German-Soviet Non-aggression Pact Hitler set his sights on the Soviet Union, but signed a non-aggression pact with Stalin promising not to invade Hitler wanted to invade France first so he wouldn’t have to fight on two fronts Meanwhile, Stalin started getting prepared for war with Germany

Alliances Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria) Allies (U.S., Britain, France, USSR, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Yugoslavia).

Germany invades Poland Hitler invaded Poland and conducted a type of warfare called blitzkrieg, which means “lightning war.” Germany used air power and tanks to strike hard and fast, moving rapidly into Poland Poland fell within a month Britain & France declared war on Germany

The Lend Lease Act Roosevelt knew neutrality would not last and proclaimed “If Great Britain goes down, all of us in the Americas would be living at the point of a gun… We must be the great arsenal of democracy.” In 1941, Congress passed the Lend Lease Act which sent aid to any nation whose defense was considered vital to U. S. national security

The Atlantic Charter Roosevelt met with Churchill in 1941 to create the Atlantic Charter They agreed on common principles aimed a guaranteeing the freedom and welfare of countries after the war This document eventually served as the basis for the founding the United Nations

Four Freedoms As the U.S. became involved in the war, Roosevelt declared the “Four Freedoms” he believed we were fighting for

Freedom of speech & expression

Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way

Freedom from want (not having physical needs)

Freedom from fear

Casablanca Conference During the fighting in North Africa, Churchill & Roosevelt met in Casablanca, Morocco They agreed on the following Italy should be invaded next; It was time to launch an offensive against Japan; and They would only accept an unconditional surrender (the victors set all the conditions of surrender with the losers having no say) from the enemy

Tehran Conference Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in Tehran, Iran in December 1943 Stalin wanted the Allies to invade France to create a second front against Hitler Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was named commander of Operation Overlord, the invasion of France The Allies began by bombing French railroads to cut off German supply lines

Yalta Conference Expecting German defeat, the Big Three (Roosevelt, Stalin & Churchill) met in Feb. 1945 in Yalta They discussed military strategies and postwar policies