WWII (1939-1945) Axis Powers VS. Allies Who? When? Why? SS5H6: The student will explain the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II. a. Describe Germany’s aggression in Europe and Japan’s aggression in Asia. d. Identify Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, Hirohito, Truman, Mussolini, and Hitler.

WWII Begins 1931 – Japan invaded Manchuria 1935 – Italy took over Ethiopia 1937 – Japan invaded the rest of China 1938 – Germany took over Czechoslovakia and Austria 1939… September 3rd, 1939: France & Britain had enough and declared war on Germany!

Axis Powers Germany Leader: Adolf Hitler Government: Fascist, Totalitarian Year Entered WWII: 1933 Nazis in power; 1938 invaded Austria & Czechoslovakia; Why? Germany wanted to reestablish dominace; Believed in, Nationalism: idea that interest of a country was more important than individual citizen’s needs

Axis Powers Japan Leader: Emperor Hirohito; General Tojo Government: Militaristic; military was in control Year Entered WWII: 1931-invaded Manchuria; 1937-invaded the rest of China Why? Japan was a small island and lacked natural resources. Since the military was in control they thought the best way to gain power and resources was to take over other countries.

Axis Powers Italy Leader: Benito Mussolini Government: Fascist; Totalitarian Year Entered WWII: 1935-invaded Ethopia Why? Italy was upset after the Treaty of Versailles did not give them the amount of land they wanted. Mussolini promised to restore Italy as the great and glorious power it had once been.

Allies Great Britian Leader: Winston Churchill – Prime Minister Government: Democracy Year Entered WWII: 1939 - Declared War on Germany (working with France) Why? They wanted to stop the spread of Communism and prevent Germany from becoming too powerful.

The United States of America Allies The United States of America Leader: Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman Government: Democracy Year Entered WWII: December 7, 1941 Why? Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan said our Naval base in Hawaii was too close to them and was a threat. They attacked without warning. *It was the General’s decision to bomb, the Emperor did not support the decision. The Japanese Admiral, Isoroku Yamamoto, made the famous statement about Japan’s choice to bomb the United States. "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."

Allies Soviet Union/Russia Leader: Josef Stalin Government: Communist Year Entered WWII: Signed Munich Agreement with Germany in 1939; Joined the Allies in 1941 Why? Russia was on the Axis side until Germany broke their agreement and invaded the Soviet Union; Russia joined the Allies in 1941.

Allied Powers’ Strengths US had tremendous production capacity Soviet Union had vast manpower Britain and Soviet Union had not been defeated

Allied Powers’ Weaknesses faced a long, drawn out fight on several fronts enemy held firm of conquered areas spread over an enormous area both in Europe and the Pacific

Axis Powers’ Strengths better prepared for war had firm control over invaded areas had been rearmed since 1930s already had airfields, barracks, and military training centers economies ready for war

Axis Powers’ Weaknesses had to defend multiple fronts

Questions: Re-write the questions and answer them in your notebooks. Name one strength of the Allied Powers Name one weakness of the Axis Powers Who was the leader of Germany? Which were the three Axis Powers? Who was a part of the Allied Powers?