World War II SS5H6 The student will explain the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II.

Germany after World War I Germany suffered a deep depression (much like the United States) did after World War I ended. Since Germany was struggling to get back on track economically, they elected a strong military leader named Adolf Hitler in Adolf Hitler became dictator (a ruler who has absolute power) of Germany and blamed the problems of Germany on everyone other than the ‘Aryan’ people. The ‘Aryan’ race is who Hitler thought were the true German people. The Nazi party was Hitler’s political group. Many believed that Hitler would help Germany become a world super power again.

Causes of World War II Germany thought a way to become a world super power was to invade other countries. Germany invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland in Germany convinced Joseph Stalin – the leader of the Soviet Union – to enter a treaty (agreement) with Hitler. The Japanese had already taken over China in These acts made several countries nervous, such as France, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. These countries officially declared war in September This group was called the ALLIED POWERS.

Allied Powers vs. Axis Powers The Allied Powers started as France, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. Others joined later, and some countries (such as the United States and India) helped but did not officially join the war. The Axis Powers joined forces to conquer (take over) other countries. They included Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Soviet Union had a treaty (agreement) with Germany, but did not officially join the war.

The Leaders Leaders from the Allied Powers included – – Winston Churchill – Great Britain – Harry Truman – United States – Franklin Roosevelt – United States Leaders from the Axis Powers included – – Adolf Hitler – Germany – Benito Mussolini – Italy – Hirohito – Japan – Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union

Invasion of Land The Axis Powers were trying to take over land. Germany took over Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, and did so in a blitzkreig way. This means they went in super fast and aggressive. Japan took over China in Italy took over land around the Mediterranean Sea.

United States During the War… The United States tried to stay neutral during the start of the war, but they did send supplies to Great Britain. When the Japanese bombed a naval base in PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan and joined the Allies in the war. The Japanese also attacked Hong Kong, Shanghai, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, and Malaya, which were historically controlled U.S. territories.

United States During the War… During the war, much of consumer goods were limited to only what was necessary for survival. Most food was “rationed” meaning, families could only buy a certain amount of items such as butter, sugar, meat, flour, etc. Many people started gardens in order to have fruit and vegetables to eat.

United States During the War… Women had to go to work in the factories. The term “Rosie the Riveter” described women who went to work during the war. Many lower class women worked before the war, but women in the middle class went to work during the war as well. When the men came back from war, women left the jobs in factories and as laborers, but continued to work as teachers, nurses, etc. In the United States, many men joined the military to help fight in the war. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who fought for the Army during World War II. This was the first group of African American pilots in the U.S. Military.

The Holocaust In Germany, and the countries it took over, Hitler took away the rights of Jews. They had to wear yellow stars to be identified. Hitler blamed the Jewish people for much of the problems in Germany. The Nazis burned down Jewish temples and forced Jewish people into concentration camps. In concentration camps, people were gassed, shot, starved to death, and died of diseases. Those people who tried to help the Jews were also sent to concentration camps. Six million Jews and five million civilians were killed by the Nazis as a result of the Holocaust.

D-Day and Allied Forces Victory On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. This was called D-Day. This was a surprise attack, and the attack moved through France. On August 25, 1944, the Allied forces reached Paris to take back France from the Nazis. The Allied Powers stormed through Europe and liberated, or freed, prisoners from concentration camps. The War in Europe ended in May 8, 1945 – this was known as V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day. Hitler killed himself so he would not be captured, but other Nazi leaders were put on trial for war crimes. Ten German leaders were hanged, seven sentenced to prison, and others were later tried and sentenced.

V-J Day and The Japanese By the end of 1942, Japan controlled much of East Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese thought they were the best, smartest, and strongest group. The country thought their Emperor (Hirohito) was a god. The Japanese crashed warplanes into ships – this was called kamikaze attacks. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and this caused the United States to get into World War II.

V-J Day and The Japanese The Allied forces led an attack in the Pacific. Iowa Jima and Okinawa were taken from Japan. In 1945, President Roosevelt died in office, but Harry Truman, who was vice president, took over. President Truman decided to drop atomic bombs – very powerful weapons – on Japan as a retaliation to Pearl Harbor. Truman dropped the first bomb in Hiroshima, and it killed 140,000 people. Truman dropped the second bomb in Nagasaki, which killed about 75,000 people. As a result, Japan surrendered in August 15, This was known as V-J Day, which was Victory in Japan Day. This happened September 2, 1945.

The United Nations The United Nations, which was 26 Allied nations, was created during This was created to ensure that a war like World War II would never happen again. It began on October 24, 1945, and is still around today.