World War II

Roots Other powers could not organize resistance Other powers could not organize resistance U.S. remains isolationist U.S. remains isolationist Britain and France follow policy of appeasement Britain and France follow policy of appeasement France-lost 16% of male population in WWI France-lost 16% of male population in WWI Britain dealing with depression Britain dealing with depression

Spanish Civil War Foreshadow World War II Foreshadow World War II General Francesco Franco—opposed liberal government General Francesco Franco—opposed liberal government Franco helped by Italy and Germany Franco helped by Italy and Germany Government helped by France and Russia Government helped by France and Russia Franco wins with support of industry, large landowners and Catholic Church Franco wins with support of industry, large landowners and Catholic Church

Hitler’s steps towards War Reoccupies Rhineland Reoccupies Rhineland Annexes Austria Annexes Austria Sept 1938—Demands Czechoslovakia Sept 1938—Demands Czechoslovakia Sudetenland Sudetenland British PM Chamberlain negotiates deal w/ Hitler British PM Chamberlain negotiates deal w/ Hitler

Nazi-Soviet Pact August 1939—Hitler and Stalin sign non- aggression pact August 1939—Hitler and Stalin sign non- aggression pact Divide up Poland Divide up Poland Hitler now free to go to war with west without fear of Soviet attack Hitler now free to go to war with west without fear of Soviet attack

Phony War British and French declare War on Germany when they attack Poland British and French declare War on Germany when they attack Poland Until Spring 1940—French and British sit behind Defensive barrier—Maginot Line Until Spring 1940—French and British sit behind Defensive barrier—Maginot Line Hitler launches “Blitzkrieg”-through Belgium and N. France Hitler launches “Blitzkrieg”-through Belgium and N. France Paris falls in 7 weeks Paris falls in 7 weeks British escape through Dunkirk British escape through Dunkirk

Small Setbacks British keep Fighting British keep Fighting Battle of Britain Battle of Britain Italians join the war Italians join the war Forces Hitler to divert troops to support Forces Hitler to divert troops to support Japanese alarming U.S. about actions Japanese alarming U.S. about actions

Major Problems June 1941—Germany attacks Russia June 1941—Germany attacks Russia Hitler wants elbow room Hitler wants elbow room Appears like quick victory Appears like quick victory Soviets lose 2.5 million in 4 months Soviets lose 2.5 million in 4 months Germans reach gates of major cities Germans reach gates of major cities Soviets hold out—becomes war of attrition Soviets hold out—becomes war of attrition

Problems for Germany Japanese attack Pearl Harbor Japanese attack Pearl Harbor Brings U.S. into war Brings U.S. into war Hitler declares war on U.S. Hitler declares war on U.S. U.S. economy is a major force in the conflict U.S. economy is a major force in the conflict Soon out producing Japan, Germany and Italy combined. Soon out producing Japan, Germany and Italy combined.

Long War Series of Allied victories in the West Series of Allied victories in the West North Africa North Africa Italy Italy Normandy—D-Day June 6, 1944 Normandy—D-Day June 6, 1944 Battle of the Bulge Battle of the Bulge

Air War Both sides ravage cites Both sides ravage cites Example Example Feb 1945 Dresden Feb 1945 Dresden 135,000 Germans died 135,000 Germans died Both sides make deliberate target of citizens Both sides make deliberate target of citizens Civilian morale not impacted Civilian morale not impacted

German Genocide Hitler decides to exterminate the Jews Hitler decides to exterminate the Jews Also sought to destroy a long list of other peoples: Also sought to destroy a long list of other peoples: Slavs Slavs People of mixed race People of mixed race Gypsies Gypsies Incurably ill and insane Incurably ill and insane Homosexuals Homosexuals Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses By 1942—mass gassing techniques used By 1942—mass gassing techniques used By 1945—6 million Jews killed By 1945—6 million Jews killed 11 million victims total 11 million victims total

End of the War Germany—May 1945 Germany—May 1945 Japan--August 1945 Japan--August 1945 Two atomic bombs Two atomic bombs Hiroshima Hiroshima Nagasaki Nagasaki