1. The United States Enters WWII
SOL USII.7a

2. Political and economic conditions in Europe following World War I led to the rise of fascism and World War II.

3. Causes of World War II
Political instability and ECONOMIC devastation in Europe resulting from World War I.
Worldwide DEPRESSION
High WAR DEBT owed by Germany
High INFLATION
Massive UNEMPLOYMENT

4. Causes of World War II
The rise of FASCISM threatened peace in Europe and Asia.
Fascism: political philosophy in which TOTAL power is given to a dictator, individual FREEDOMS are denied, and nationalism and RACISM are emphasized.

5. Axis Powers
Europe’s fascist dictators led the countries that became known as the AXIS POWERS.
AXIS POWERS
Fascist Dictator
Country
Adolf Hitler
Germany
Benito Mussolini
Italy
Hideki Tojo
Japan
TOJO
Mussolini

6. Allied Powers Democratic nations (*) were known as the ALLIED POWERS.
Democratic Leader(s)
Country
Franklin D. Roosevelt & Harry S. Truman
United States (*)
Winston Churchill
Great Britain (*)
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Canada (*)
 Joseph Stalin
Soviet Union (joined after being invaded by Germany)

7. Rising tension developed between the United States and Japan because of Japanese aggression in East Asia.

8. “…a date which will live in infamy.”
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States at PEARL HARBOR without warning.
The United States
DECLARED WAR on
Japan.
GERMANY declared war on the United States.

13. U.S. Involvement in WWII
As conflict grew in Europe and Asia, American foreign policy evolved from NEUTRALITY to direct INVOLVEMENT.
Most Americans opposed Hitler’s actions, but the United States adopted an isolationist policy
In 1941, President F. D. Roosevelt proposed new economic aid programs to assist the Allied Powers, including the Lend-Lease Act
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
U.S. direct involvement in World War II

14. Directions: Label and color the map.
MAP KEY
 Axis Powers
 Allied Powers
 Neutral Countries
WORLD WAR II
ALLIANCES
Axis controlled countries