World War II Shaping of the Modern World Core 151 Fall 2007

Current Events: The Issue with Turkey During World War I, The Ottoman Empire (What is now modern Turkey) was responsible for the systematic killing of nearly 1.5 million Armenians During World War I, The Ottoman Empire (What is now modern Turkey) was responsible for the systematic killing of nearly 1.5 million Armenians –Killing was religiously motivated The Armenian Massacre was never officially labeled Genocide The Armenian Massacre was never officially labeled Genocide –The Armenians lack a strong interest group in the time period since The United States Congress is currently trying to pass a resolution labeling it as such. The United States Congress is currently trying to pass a resolution labeling it as such. –Highly Political Issue The Timing…? The Timing…? War in Iraq War in Iraq Democrat vs. Republican Democrat vs. Republican Historical Perspective Historical Perspective

Background Causes 1.Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, a military alliance was formed. (later called Axis powers) 2.Axis Totalitarianism – All were dictatorships 3.Axis Militarism 4.Axis Nationalism A.Japan – Shinto teachings – Emperor worship B.Italy – recreate the old Roman Empire C.Germany – the master race will rule 5.Axis Imperialism 6.Failure of the Policy of Appeasement. – Great Britain allowed the dictators to take lands hoping they would be satisfied. A.1938 Germany annexed Austria – why – Austria is a German Cultured land. B.1938 Germany annexed Czechoslovakia – why – German speakers in the Czech Republic. 7.US Neutrality

Europe 1939

World War II in Europe and Africa

The War The Spark… 1939 Hitler wants Poland – England says NO 1939 Hitler wants Poland – England says NO Germany attacks Poland on September1, war begins again in Europe Germany attacks Poland on September1, war begins again in Europe Blitzkrieg War – Lightning War – use of planes, tanks, long range artillery, and troops with precision and speed Blitzkrieg War – Lightning War – use of planes, tanks, long range artillery, and troops with precision and speed –Luftwaffe –Panzers –Storm Troopers –Howitzers War on Three Fronts – World-Wide Involvement 1.Europe 2.Africa 3.Asia

War in Africa North African Campaign :10 June May 1943 North African Campaign :10 June May 1943 Egypt-Libya Campaign – El Alamein, Egypt-Libya Campaign – El Alamein, American landing in French Morocco, 1942 American landing in French Morocco, 1942 Tunisian Campaign 1943 Tunisian Campaign 1943 Consisted of British (and company), French, and American troops. Consisted of British (and company), French, and American troops. Point of departure for the Invasion of Italy. Point of departure for the Invasion of Italy. Patton vs. Rommel Patton vs. Rommel

War in Europe 1939 Soviet Anti-Aggression Pact. – leave Russia alone.1939 Soviet Anti-Aggression Pact. – leave Russia alone. This would be short livedThis would be short lived French defenses called the Maginot LineFrench defenses called the Maginot Line Expensive – Construction ended at the forest.Expensive – Construction ended at the forest. English troops defend Belgium (Schlieffen Plan)English troops defend Belgium (Schlieffen Plan) Germans attack through the forestGermans attack through the forest French and British troops were forced to the coastFrench and British troops were forced to the coast 338,00 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk338,00 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk Hitler marched into Paris in Established the Vichy Republic and Fortress Europe.Hitler marched into Paris in Established the Vichy Republic and Fortress Europe. Germany prepares to invade England. The Battle of Britain 24 hr. Bombing Campaign of England.Germany prepares to invade England. The Battle of Britain 24 hr. Bombing Campaign of England.

War in Europe Hitler made mistakesHitler made mistakes Invaded Russia – in the Fall of 1940 –he opened up a 2 front war.Invaded Russia – in the Fall of 1940 –he opened up a 2 front war. Practiced terrible cruelty towards the Russians.Practiced terrible cruelty towards the Russians Battle of Stalingrad. Russia stops the Nazis and pushes them back toward Germany Battle of Stalingrad. Russia stops the Nazis and pushes them back toward Germany. Considered the Bloodiest Battle in Human HistoryConsidered the Bloodiest Battle in Human History Combined 1.5 Million casualtiesCombined 1.5 Million casualties For a time, the average lifespan of a new Russian Solider Lifespan was less than one dayFor a time, the average lifespan of a new Russian Solider Lifespan was less than one day Many starved or froze to deathMany starved or froze to death Italian Campaign 1943Italian Campaign 1943 D-Day – Normandy 1944D-Day – Normandy 1944 VE Day - 9 May 1945VE Day - 9 May 1945 Hitler commits suicide in his bunker 30 AprilHitler commits suicide in his bunker 30 April German troops surrender in France 7 May, in Germany 8 May, and on the eastern front 9 MayGerman troops surrender in France 7 May, in Germany 8 May, and on the eastern front 9 May

War in Asia 7 May 1937 Japan invaded China – why?7 May 1937 Japan invaded China – why? Japan needs raw materials to build its war machinesJapan needs raw materials to build its war machines Japan needs petroleum to fuel its war machinesJapan needs petroleum to fuel its war machines Japan had been grabbing Asian IslandsJapan had been grabbing Asian Islands December 1941, Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor-December 1941, Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor- United States formally declares war against Empire of Japan December 8United States formally declares war against Empire of Japan December 8 Soon declares war on Hitler and GermanySoon declares war on Hitler and Germany USA also begins fighting a Two-Front warUSA also begins fighting a Two-Front war 4 June – 7 June 1942 Battle of Midway – Turning point4 June – 7 June 1942 Battle of Midway – Turning point Decisive American victoryDecisive American victory asserted American naval dominance in the Pacificasserted American naval dominance in the Pacific Island Hopping CampaignIsland Hopping Campaign Spring 1945 Iwo Jima – OkinawaSpring 1945 Iwo Jima – Okinawa Atomic BombAtomic Bomb 6 August Hirohima6 August Hirohima 9 August 1945 – Nagasaki9 August 1945 – Nagasaki 15 August 1945 – VJ Day15 August 1945 – VJ Day

Outcomes American Superpower Status American Superpower Status –US as the Supreme Victor Lack of domestic battlefield Lack of domestic battlefield Massive mobilization effort Massive mobilization effort Science and technology Science and technology Cold War Cold War –Ideological struggle for power and influence between the USSR (Communist) and USA (Democratic) –The Spoils of War – Division of Europe – The Iron Curtain

Outcomes Decline of Europe – Rise of Asia Decline of Europe – Rise of Asia –Devastated again from war –Most European governments would never fully regain status as world powers German Split German Split Weak France Weak France Italy in disarray Italy in disarray Rebuilding in Brittan Rebuilding in Brittan World Government Organization World Government Organization –Rise of the United Nations as an International peacekeeping organization –Permanent and Rotating Membership –Based in New York, NY Nuclear Age Nuclear Age –The Landscape of Warfare is forever changed following the awe-inspiring use of atomic weapons to conclude World War II –Once developed, Nuclear Technology soon was copied by the USSR, China, France, Britain, Israel, etc…

World War II: Total War Total war is a military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. Total war is a military conflict in which nations mobilize all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. –This was true for all nations involved in WWII This total war concept is more focused toward Civilian Life This total war concept is more focused toward Civilian Life Occurs when the conflict requires the entire effort of the society Occurs when the conflict requires the entire effort of the society

Home Front World War II was responsible for ending the Global Economic Crisis, by replacing it was a Global Military Crisis World War II was responsible for ending the Global Economic Crisis, by replacing it was a Global Military Crisis Industrial Production shifted entirely toward war efforts Industrial Production shifted entirely toward war efforts –Lipstick factor --- Bomb Factory –No Model Cars Government organized war efforts Government organized war efforts –Production Boards –Office of War Information Importance of Propaganda to the effort Importance of Propaganda to the effort Methods of Production and Organization Shaped Post-war countries Methods of Production and Organization Shaped Post-war countries

Leadership During World War II FDR -- USA FDR -- USA Hitler -- Germany Hitler -- Germany Stalin -- USSR Stalin -- USSR Churchill -- Britian Churchill -- Britian Japan (Hirohito) Japan (Hirohito)