Major Events of WWII

German Aggression Grows Hitler wanted to bring all German speaking lands into Germany & also gain “living space” for Germans Hitler wanted to bring all German speaking lands into Germany & also gain “living space” for Germans 1. Germany “annexes” Austria into Germany 1. Germany “annexes” Austria into Germany 2. Part of Czechoslovakia is added to German lands 2. Part of Czechoslovakia is added to German lands Other countries did nothing to stop Hitler! Other countries did nothing to stop Hitler!

Nazi-Soviet Pact Germany & Russia make an agreement to be peaceful with one another- Nazi-Soviet Pact Germany & Russia make an agreement to be peaceful with one another- Nazi-Soviet Pact Secretly, the 2 countries agreed to: Secretly, the 2 countries agreed to: 1. Not fight one another is a war starts 1. Not fight one another is a war starts 2. Invade neighboring Poland & divide the land between themselves! 2. Invade neighboring Poland & divide the land between themselves!

Political Cartoon on the Nazi-Soviet Pact

WWII Begins September 1, 1939= Hitler stuns the world by invading Poland September 1, 1939= Hitler stuns the world by invading Poland Britain & France declare war on Germany to stop Hitler’s advance across Europe. It is almost too late. Britain & France declare war on Germany to stop Hitler’s advance across Europe. It is almost too late.

What Caused WWII? 1. Anger over the Treaty of Versailles (treaty that ended WWI) 1. Anger over the Treaty of Versailles (treaty that ended WWI) 2. Appeasement- Democratic nations ignored the actions of countries like Germany, Italy & Japan 2. Appeasement- Democratic nations ignored the actions of countries like Germany, Italy & Japan 3. Aggression- countries like Germany Italy & Japan invading & attacking weaker nations 3. Aggression- countries like Germany Italy & Japan invading & attacking weaker nations

Hitler’s Greatest Defeat Battle of Britain- Hitler wanted to invade Britain & force them out of the war. Battle of Britain- Hitler wanted to invade Britain & force them out of the war. Operation Sea Lion- massive air strikes by the Germans that lasted almost a year. Operation Sea Lion- massive air strikes by the Germans that lasted almost a year. London was bombarded with bombs on a nightly basis & much of the ancient city was destroyed. This “blitz” was unsuccessful- Hitler failed in his mission here. London was bombarded with bombs on a nightly basis & much of the ancient city was destroyed. This “blitz” was unsuccessful- Hitler failed in his mission here.

London- A tough city

Carrying on…………..

Hitler’s Next Offensive Operation Barbarossa – Hitler invades the USSR to gain “living space” for Germans. Operation Barbarossa – Hitler invades the USSR to gain “living space” for Germans. Stalin was unprepared & shocked! He never thought war would come to his country. Stalin was unprepared & shocked! He never thought war would come to his country. Russians lost 2 ½ million soldiers & thousands of Germans froze to death. Russians lost 2 ½ million soldiers & thousands of Germans froze to death. Ended the Nazi-Soviet Pact. USSR will join war on the side of the Allies. Ended the Nazi-Soviet Pact. USSR will join war on the side of the Allies.

A Day That Will Live in Infamy… 12/7/41 – Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to destroy the American Navy fleet. 12/7/41 – Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to destroy the American Navy fleet. Why? Why? 1. The U.S. placed a ban on selling war materials such as iron, steel, & oil to Japan after they began invading other countries. 1. The U.S. placed a ban on selling war materials such as iron, steel, & oil to Japan after they began invading other countries. 2. Tojo had come to power & was a militaristic leader. 2. Tojo had come to power & was a militaristic leader. * This event forces the U.S. into the war. We join the Allies & must now fight 2 wars – in the Pacific & in Europe. * This event forces the U.S. into the war. We join the Allies & must now fight 2 wars – in the Pacific & in Europe.

Images of Pearl Harbor

Hitler’s Secret Agenda Final Solution – Hitler’s plan to rid Europe of all Jews. Final Solution – Hitler’s plan to rid Europe of all Jews. Concentration Camps – death camps where all those seen as “inferior” were placed & most were eventually executed. Concentration Camps – death camps where all those seen as “inferior” were placed & most were eventually executed. When invading a country, Hitler & the Nazi’s under his control tried to rid these areas of all “undesirables”. This has been called the “holocaust” - catastrophe When invading a country, Hitler & the Nazi’s under his control tried to rid these areas of all “undesirables”. This has been called the “holocaust” - catastrophe

The Dark Side of WW2 Hitler at a large political rally at the pinnacle of power Hitler at a large political rally at the pinnacle of power

Hitler’s Youth (German Boy Scouts!)

Jews being “selected for death” upon reaching the concentration camp. (see woman w/baby)

Prisoners fight for food in the camp

Children were not spared from starvation

Mass grave of prisoners

Mass grave

Crematorium

Crematorium