War in Europe & War in Japan The Course of WWII War in Europe & War in Japan

War in Europe Hitler attacks (1939) Poland with his blitzkrieg or “lightning war” using armored force, planes and tanks Poland surrendered and was divided by Germany and the Soviet Union Then he attacked Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France

War in Europe Hitler attacks France (1940) Hitler attacked France and British troops trapped them on the beaches of Dunkirk Most the British troops were rescued but France signed an armistice (truce) with Germany German troops controlled three-fifth of France and set up an authoritative government German controlled France was called Vichy France and was led by Marshal Henri Petain

War in Europe German troops controlled three-fifth of France and set up an authoritative government German controlled France was called Vichy France and was led by Marshal Henri Petain Britain now asked US for help US followed a policy of isolationism But, US sent food, ships, planes and weapons to help

Hitler and Nazi officers in front of the Eiffel Tower Petain and Hitler Hitler and Nazi officers in front of the Eiffel Tower

War in Europe Hitler versus Britain (1940) Hitler sent his Luftwaffe, German air-force, to bomb Britain With the help of radar, Britain knew they were coming Hitler decided not to bomb military targets but to bomb British cities Britain hit back and German air force backed off

War in Europe Hitler attacks Soviet Union (1941) Hitler’s plan to invade the Soviet Union got delayed because of problems in the Balkans Hitler set up his “safety” by getting cooperation from Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. And took over Greece and Yugoslavia

War in Europe Hitler invaded Soviet Union in June thinking he would defeat them before winter He was WRONG!

War in Europe United States enters the war Grand Alliance – Great Britain, United States and the Soviet Union – agreed to fight together until the other side surrendered unconditionally Axis Powers – Germany, Italy and Japan

War in Europe Hitler versus Soviet Union Soviets plan a counterattack – cut off supply lines to German soldiers By spring 1943, Hitler knew Soviet Union was not to be defeated Soviets started moving westward. They took back the Ukraine and the Baltic states and took Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Soviet troops went into Berlin in 1945

War in Europe Hitler verses the western front June 6, 1944, D-Day – Invasion of France from direction of Great Britain Forces led by US General Dwight D. Eisenhower (future president) Landed on the beaches of Normandy Allied forces took back France and made their way to Berlin and met up with Soviet troops

War in Europe Hitler finished Hitler set up bunker under the city of Berlin Wrote letter blaming the Jews for the war Committed suicide in 1945 V-E Day – German generals surrendered May 1945 – Victory in Europe

War in Japan Japan attacks (1941) December 7, 1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor Also attacked: Philippines, Malaya (British colony), Dutch East Indies and other islands in the Pacific Japan took over almost all of Southeast Asia and western Pacific and called it Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

War in Japan Japan wanted to free Southeast Asia from western colonial rule Japan attacked the US thinking it would make the US accept Japanese domination in the Pacific. They were WRONG! The attack brought the US into world war. Four days after Pearl Harbor, Hitler declared war on the United States

War in Japan Japan versus US (1942) Turning point of the war – Battle of Midway Island. United States defeated Japanese naval forces and took back the Pacific General Douglas MacArthur used the policy of “island hopping” – capture some Japanese-held islands and going past others

War in Japan Big Boom (1945) President Harry S Truman had to decided whether or not to use the newest weapon – the atomic bomb – to avoid invading Japan. But, only two bombs were available The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 The second bomb was dropped three days later on Nagasaki V-J Day – Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945 – Victory in Japan

Totals End of WWII 17 million people died battle 20 million civilians died Around 50 million people all together