World War II

Treaty of Versailles Fails Contrary to the hopes of President Woodrow Wilson, the Treaty of Versailles that ended WWI did not create a “just and secure peace”. Contrary to the hopes of President Woodrow Wilson, the Treaty of Versailles that ended WWI did not create a “just and secure peace”. Germans saw nothing fair in a treaty that blamed them for WWI. Germans saw nothing fair in a treaty that blamed them for WWI. Germans were also unsettled with the new boundaries drawn by the treaty. Germans were also unsettled with the new boundaries drawn by the treaty. The treaty did nothing to help the war-torn nations of Europe rebuild, leaving most of Europe with huge war debt, widespread hunger, homelessness, and unemployment. The treaty did nothing to help the war-torn nations of Europe rebuild, leaving most of Europe with huge war debt, widespread hunger, homelessness, and unemployment.

The Rise of Dictatorships Unable to cope with these problems, the new democracies of struggling European nations collapsed one by one. Unable to cope with these problems, the new democracies of struggling European nations collapsed one by one. In country after country, dictators seized power and threw out the elected leaders. In country after country, dictators seized power and threw out the elected leaders. Some of these dictators were content with simply collecting taxes and keeping order. Some of these dictators were content with simply collecting taxes and keeping order. A few, however, had far grander ambitions. A few, however, had far grander ambitions.

Communist Soviet Union In 1924, the Soviet Union was established as a Communist Nation led by a dictator known as Joseph Stalin. In 1924, the Soviet Union was established as a Communist Nation led by a dictator known as Joseph Stalin. By 1939, Stalin had established a centralized totalitarian government in which individuals have no rights and the government suppresses all opposition. By 1939, Stalin had established a centralized totalitarian government in which individuals have no rights and the government suppresses all opposition.

Fascist Italy While Stalin was consolidating his power in the Soviet Union, Benito Mussolini was establishing a fascist regime in Italy. While Stalin was consolidating his power in the Soviet Union, Benito Mussolini was establishing a fascist regime in Italy. Fascism was a new political movement that consisted of a strong, centralized government headed by a power dictator. Fascism was a new political movement that consisted of a strong, centralized government headed by a power dictator. Mussolini dreamed of making Italy the great power of the world. Mussolini dreamed of making Italy the great power of the world.

Nazi Germany In Germany, Adolf Hitler was establishing the concept of Nazism. In Germany, Adolf Hitler was establishing the concept of Nazism. Like fascism, Nazism was based on extreme nationalism and national expansion. Like fascism, Nazism was based on extreme nationalism and national expansion. In Hitler’s view, Germans- especially blue-eyed, blonde haired “Aryans”- formed a “master race” that was destined to rule the world. In Hitler’s view, Germans- especially blue-eyed, blonde haired “Aryans”- formed a “master race” that was destined to rule the world. By 1932, more than 6 million Germans were unemployed. Many of these desperate people turned to Hitler as their last hope. By 1932, more than 6 million Germans were unemployed. Many of these desperate people turned to Hitler as their last hope. In January 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor (prime minister) of Germany. In January 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor (prime minister) of Germany.

Militarist Gain Control of Japan Halfway around the world from Germany, nationalistic military leaders in Japan were trying to take control of their government. Halfway around the world from Germany, nationalistic military leaders in Japan were trying to take control of their government. These leaders shared Hitler’s belief in the need for expansion. These leaders shared Hitler’s belief in the need for expansion. Militarists launched a surprise invasion of the Chinese province of Manchuria in Militarists launched a surprise invasion of the Chinese province of Manchuria in Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province. Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province. The success of this invasion put the Japanese military firmly in control of Japan’s government. The success of this invasion put the Japanese military firmly in control of Japan’s government. Hideki Tojo Prime Minister of Japan

Alliances before WWII Begins There were 2 alliances that formed before WWII: There were 2 alliances that formed before WWII: Allied Powers: France and Britain Allied Powers: France and Britain Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan The Soviet Union and the United States claimed neutrality The Soviet Union and the United States claimed neutrality

The German Offensive Begins On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland using new tactics known as blitzkrieg (lightning war). On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland using new tactics known as blitzkrieg (lightning war). These new tactics enabled Germany to take the enemy by surprise and then quickly crush all opposition with overwhelming force. These new tactics enabled Germany to take the enemy by surprise and then quickly crush all opposition with overwhelming force. As a result of this attack, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, As a result of this attack, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, By the end of May 1940, Germany had invaded and conquered Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By the end of May 1940, Germany had invaded and conquered Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. On June 17 th, 1940 France surrenders to Germany and stops fighting. On June 17 th, 1940 France surrenders to Germany and stops fighting.

The Battle of Britain In June of 1940, immediately following France’s surrender, Germany begins bombing Britain with its air force. In June of 1940, immediately following France’s surrender, Germany begins bombing Britain with its air force. Every night for 2 solid months, German bombers attacked London. Every night for 2 solid months, German bombers attacked London. Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) fought back brilliantly and are able to hold back the Germans. Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) fought back brilliantly and are able to hold back the Germans. As a result, Hitler called off the invasion of Britain temporarily. As a result, Hitler called off the invasion of Britain temporarily.

The Holocaust Meanwhile, during the all the fighting of WWII, Germany facilitates a mass genocide in its own nation known as the Holocaust. Meanwhile, during the all the fighting of WWII, Germany facilitates a mass genocide in its own nation known as the Holocaust. The Holocaust was the systematic murder of 11 million people across Europe, more than half of whom were Jews. The Holocaust was the systematic murder of 11 million people across Europe, more than half of whom were Jews.

Japan Attacks the U.S. Despite his strong efforts to keep the U.S. out of the war, FDR was eventually provoked. Despite his strong efforts to keep the U.S. out of the war, FDR was eventually provoked. To almost everyone’s surprise, the attack that brought the U.S. into war came not from Germany, but from Japan. To almost everyone’s surprise, the attack that brought the U.S. into war came not from Germany, but from Japan. On December 7 th, 1941 Japan made a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii. On December 7 th, 1941 Japan made a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii. For Japan, the attack was a stunning victory. For Japan, the attack was a stunning victory. The next day Roosevelt declared war against Japan. The next day Roosevelt declared war against Japan. 3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. 3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

War in Europe Following the Pearl Harbor attacks, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and FDR spent 3 weeks devising a war plan to begin attack on Nazi Germany in Europe. Following the Pearl Harbor attacks, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and FDR spent 3 weeks devising a war plan to begin attack on Nazi Germany in Europe. The most significant of these invasions was D-Day on June 6 th, 1944 in which the allied forces attacked Germans stationed in France. The most significant of these invasions was D-Day on June 6 th, 1944 in which the allied forces attacked Germans stationed in France. By this point in the war the Soviet Union had joined forces with the allies in a effort to defeat Germany. By this point in the war the Soviet Union had joined forces with the allies in a effort to defeat Germany. After a Soviet attack on Berlin, Germany on April 25 th, 1945 Hitler prepared for the end. After a Soviet attack on Berlin, Germany on April 25 th, 1945 Hitler prepared for the end. Five days later, Hitler shot himself, leading to Germany’s final surrender on May 8 th, This day became known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day). Five days later, Hitler shot himself, leading to Germany’s final surrender on May 8 th, This day became known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day).

War in the Pacific While the Allied Powers were defeating Germany in Europe, Americans had also begun waging war against Japan. While the Allied Powers were defeating Germany in Europe, Americans had also begun waging war against Japan. Unfortunately, Roosevelt did not live to see the final battles of WWII. He died on April 12 th, Unfortunately, Roosevelt did not live to see the final battles of WWII. He died on April 12 th, Harry S Truman became the nation’s new president. Harry S Truman became the nation’s new president. On July 25 th, 1945 Truman ordered the military to drop 2 atomic bombs on Japanese targets. On July 25 th, 1945 Truman ordered the military to drop 2 atomic bombs on Japanese targets. On August 6 th, 1945 the first atomic bomb was released over the city of Hiroshima. On August 6 th, 1945 the first atomic bomb was released over the city of Hiroshima. 3 days later, the second atomic bomb was released over the city of Nagasaki. 3 days later, the second atomic bomb was released over the city of Nagasaki. Japanese Emperor Hirohito made an official surrender on September 2 nd, Japanese Emperor Hirohito made an official surrender on September 2 nd, 1945.

United Nations The end of WWII brought about the creation of the United Nations (UN). The end of WWII brought about the creation of the United Nations (UN). The UN is an international peacekeeping body which aims to facilitate cooperation and prevent wars between countries. The UN is an international peacekeeping body which aims to facilitate cooperation and prevent wars between countries. It currently has 192 member countries. It currently has 192 member countries.