1. Outcome: Causes of World War II
The treaty of Versailles along with the economic depression contributed to the rise of antidemocratic governments in Europe & Asia.

2. Causes of World War II Underlying Causes of World War II
Nationalism (Review from WWI): Extreme pride in one’s nationality or country
Imperialism (Review from WWI): Taking of land/property
Militarism (Review from WWI): Building weapons or a strong military

3. Underlying Causes of World War II
The rise of Dictators
Underlying Causes of World War II
Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

4. Causes of World War II
Totalitarian Dictatorships: Leaders who control all aspects of society
Each dictator took advantage of economic problems by:
Promising simple solutions to their nation’s problems
Rebuilding national pride (often using propaganda)
Providing scapegoats (targets for anger & blame)
Absorbing power, taking away individual rights, and crushing opposition (1 party; 1 ruler)

5. Benito Mussolini of Italy
One of Europe’s first Dictators. He founded Italy’s Fascist movement.

6. Causes of World War II
Fascism was strongly anti-communist. Mussolini exploited these fears by portraying fascism as a bulwark against communism.
Fascist Italy
Dictator: Benito Mussolini (Il Duce = The Leader)
Goals:
Nationalism:
Wished to rebuild the ancient Holy Roman Empire
Imperialism:
Felt betrayed by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles Conference due to a promise of land for joining the Allies that was not kept
Wanted to control lands around the Mediterranean Sea;
“Mare Nostrum” = Our Sea
Militarism:
Formed the Rome-Berlin Axis (alliance) with Germany in 1936

7. Joseph Stalin in The Soviet Union
After the Russian Revolution, the communist party
led by Vladimir Lenin created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
In After Lenin died in 1924 Stalin came to power.

8. Soviet Union
Stalin sought to expand Soviet influence beyond its boarders.
His quote: “World dictatorship can be established only when the
Victory of socialism has been achieved in certain countries or groups of countries that will grow into a World Union of Soviet Socialist Republics uniting the whole of mankind”.
Stalin tolerated no opposition. He targeted political enemies and anyone he deemed to be an enemy of the state.
He created concentration camps to use prisoners as labor.
Over 20 million people died under Stalin’s rule.

9. Adolf Hitler in Germany

10. Causes of World War II Fascist Germany
Dictator: Adolf Hitler (Der Fuhrer or The leader)
Nazism is German Fascism
Goals:
Nationalism:
Wanted to rebuild Germany
Preached Vengeance against (4 hates)
Democracies (a weak & undisciplined form of gov’t)
Communism (a threat to Nazi growth)
November Criminals who signed the WWI Armistice
Jews (the source of all evil & problems in Germany)

11. Causes of World War II Fascist Germany Imperialism:
A desire to unite all people of German ancestry (Blood & language)
“Lebensraum” (a desire for more living space) needed to build his empire he called The Third Reich
Militarism:
Defied the Treaty of Versailles & rebuild the army
Created the “Nazi War Machine”
Built #1 military in the world

12. Japan

13. Hideki Tojo & Emperor Hirohito

14. Causes of World War II Japan Dictators: Goals
Hideki Tojo: Military Leader & Prime Minister
Emperor Hirohito: Political & Spiritual figurehead
Goals
Nationalism:
Japan wanted to be #1 in Asia
Goal: Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere: name for power in Asia
Imperialism:
To be #1 in Asia, they needed oil and raw materials
Wanted China’s land (and others) to obtain oil and raw materials
Militarism:
Built up the strongest military regime in Asia
Soldier’s motto: “Death before Dishonor”

15. Francisco Franco of Spain

16. Causes of World War II Other causes
Spain: Franco’s fascists won the Spanish Civil War
Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin took control of the communist nation
Germany, Italy, & Japan became known as the Axis Powers once the war began. AKA the Bad Guys!

17. Causes of World War II
Poor Decisions were made by the powerful democracies
France & Great Britain adopted a policy of appeasement
The League of Nations would prove ineffective; lacked a military
U.S.: Isolationism & Depression kept our focus on U.S. concerns; once aggression began we claimed to be neutral

18. Causes of World War II Equation:
Nationalism + Imperialism + Militarism = Aggression
Extreme Aggression = War!

19. Rebuilding the German Military
Hitler controlled German government by 1933
Secretly rebuilt military
Unchallenged—openly stated plan to re-arm Germany
Claimed resisting spread of communism—but empire building
Militarizing the Rhineland
Direct action in 1936
Armed force sent to the Rhineland
French and British complained; no direct action taken
German troops remained; Hitler grew bolder

20. Annexing Austria Europeans eager to avoid war Hitler plotted his moves
Target-Austria
German-speaking country
Hitler’s birthplace
Nazi supporters in Austria
Aggressive moves
Hitler demanded Austrian officials accept annexation (Anschluss)
Initial Austrian resistance
Britain and France did nothing
March 1938-unopposed German forces take over Austria
Hitler’s demands

21. Threats to Czechoslovakia
Another German-speaking population
Sudetenland eager to be a part of Germany
Hitler threatened the Czech government
Czechs prepared for war
Avoiding conflict
September 1938—meeting in Munich
Chamberlain (British) and Daladier (French) agreed not to block Hitler
Czechs had no support
Policy of appeasement
Appeasement—giving in to aggressive demands in order to avoid war
Winston Churchill opposed the policy
“Peace for our time” according to Chamberlain

23. Alliances and Civil War
Hitler builds alliances with other totalitarian governments.
Military force to achieve goals
Anti-Comintern Pact
Germany and Japan
Prevent spread of communism
Oppose USSR
Italy joins Axis Powers later
Military alliance
Pledge aid in event of war
The Axis forms
Political conflict begins in 1936
Italy and Germany support fascist Nationalists
Soviet Union supports Republicans
Nationalists win after years of fighting
Francisco Franco
Fascist dictator
Spanish Civil War

24. A Secret Deal with Stalin
Germany and Soviet Union on opposing sides in Spanish Civil War
No direct conflict
Axis Powers united against Soviet Union
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin threatened by German expansion
France and Britain discuss possible alliance with Soviet Union
Stalin did not trust British or French
In secret negotiations with Germans
German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
Each side agreed not to attack the other; allowed further German aggression in Europe
Secret section divided up territory in Eastern Europe
News shocked British and French; Hitler definitely on the march

25. German troops in position
The War Begins
September 1, 1939
Germany attacked Poland
World War II begins
Blitzkrieg or “lightning war”
Devastating effects
Polish air force destroyed
Soldiers fought; no match for German forces
No natural barriers in the way
Support for Poland
Britain and France declared war on Germany
Allies gave no real help
Poland fell into German hands
German troops in position
On Germany’s western border
Hitler eager for assault on France
Plans for invasion made

26. 1940–1941 Attack on France Battle for Britain
Denmark and Norway captured; the Netherlands and Belgium followed
Tank attack through Ardennes; overwhelmed light resistance there
Heroic Dunkirk rescue; France surrendered in June 1940
Battle for Britain
Great Britain stood alone against German war machine; Churchill now leader
Radar technology secret weapon for air defense
British stood firm during Battle of Britain; Hitler called off invasion plans

27. Occupied France

28. Invasion of the Soviet Union
June 1941, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union had initial successes
Major goals of Leningrad and Moscow not reached before harsh Soviet winter
Soviet armies had time to rebuild and would fight back

29. United States
The rise of dictatorships and militarism in Europe had Americans worried. The sacrifices during WW1 seemed pointless because of the new fighting. During the Depression most European nations would not repay their loans.
In response to German and Italian aggression Congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1935.
The act made it illegal to sell arms to any country at war.

30. American Neutrality
Domestic: U.S. in midst of Great Depression, public intent on remaining neutral
1935: First Neutrality Act (no sale of arms to belligerent nations)
1937: Arm sales only on “cash and carry” basis
FDR warns of impending problems
President Roosevelt

31. Japanese Expansion Sought total control of Pacific (resources)
1931- military occupation of Manchuria
1936- Japan signs Pact with Germany, Italy
Nanking Massacre- December 1937

33. Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor Two-hour attack
Japan’s alliance with Germany was seen as a sign of a war plan. Japan sent forces to Indochina to secure necessary resources of oil and rubber. Hideki Tojo held peace talks with the U.S. but planned for war.
Surprise attack on U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet
December 7, 1941
Fighters and bombers launched from carriers
Raid a success
Pearl Harbor
Major destruction
Heavy casualties
2,400 dead
200 planes gone
Eight battleships sunk
Three carriers survived
Two-hour attack

34. Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941
      
 Japan was working on expanding empire throughout the Pacific
The U.S. had a trade embargo on Japan to try and deter Japan from invading countries
U.S. was able to intercept and break Japan's secret codes
Intercepted the code about Pearl Harbor - sent the message on a slower telegram (by accident) to warn U.S. Navy about attack.

35. Pearl Harbor Continued
Japan viewed as a stunning victory
December 8, 1941, U.S. declares war on Japan
December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.

37. American Isolationism
Attack had profound effect
Ended desire to stay out of Europe’s war
War declared on Japan
Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.
Allies vs. Axis

38. The American Home Front
The American People were asked by the government to ration everything.
The government also sold bonds or borrowed money from its own people to help with the war.
They needed the money because they needed to help the Allies as well as themselves. The U.S. was also not a very rich country and desperately needed money.
The Goal was to help allies while the U.S. prepared.

39. American Home Front U.S. entered war two months later
Enormous task of mobilization; men and women volunteered for service
Factories converted; “victory gardens” planted; scrap drives and recycling to collect materials
Some negative effects of patriotism
Japanese Americans placed in internment camps during the war

40. The American Home Front
In the U.S., Americans were scared and were afraid that Japan was targeting California (LA, San Francisco,), Washington and Oregon.
In preparation they passed: Executive Order 9066
Tanks and soldiers were also sent to watch and protect the coasts.
Artillery was prepared and smaller ships were patrolling. In reality, the U.S. could do little to defend itself at this time.

41. Japanese Internment Notice

42. The American Home Front
Off the coast of Florida, New York (the East coast), Germany was sinking our merchant ships with its submarines. Germany believed that the U.S. was assisting G. Britain and France.
In the west, the U.S. was losing battles in Asia. We had lost the Philippines as well as several of our smaller island territories. Australia and India were under attack and it looked like China would fall soon to Japan. It did not look good for America or the Allies.

43. The American Home Front
The American military was not prepared for an all out war.
Remember it only had 300,000 men. About the same size as Denmark’s.
The U.S. calls on American men to enlist. The American people respond.
In fact the Government is overwhelmed by the number that decide to join.
Patriotism sweeps the country.

44. The American Home Front
Government started Total War.
American Industry had to go from peace time production to war time production(which takes a lot of time).
GM, Ford, and Chrysler went from creating cars to tanks.
Boeing from regular airplanes to bombers and fighter jets.
Gun makers like Colt, from hunting rifles to machine guns, flamethrowers, war rifles.

45. The American Home Front
With the country in full war mode, the U.S. was producing weapons faster than anybody around thought that it would or could.
In one month, the U.S. was able to produce up to 4,000 tanks and 4,500 planes.
Ship production also increased dramatically to help protect our coasts.

46. The American Home Front
Farms were producing as much food as possible. Meats and cereals were rationed and prepped for the war effort. Much of the food went to Britain and Russia. Both countries had already lost millions of soldiers and citizens because of the war and as a result of starvation.
Families turned in all the scrap metal they could as well as oil and gasoline to help.
The U.S. accepted help even from children.

47. The American Home Front
The war had an unintended effect.
Women joined the workforce. Before the war, only about 3 million worked in the U.S. Most were housewives and raised families.
Since so many men went to war, the U.S. was desperate for workers to produce weapons. So they replaced the men with women.

48. The American Home Front
The American Gov’t continued work on secret weapons for WWII. Some were not yet ready.
The Manhattan Project was part of this secret program. It was begun in 1941, the day before Dec. 7th attack.
The project would ultimately end WWII.

49. American culture during WW2
Culture became much more dependent on mass media after World War II.
The television programs were much more powerful than radio.
There was also a large impact from movies and music.
Magazines, Comic Books started to change pop culture

50. Early American Involvement The Battle of the Atlantic
Control of the ocean important
Food and equipment for England and Soviet Union shipped by sea
Germany relied on U-boats
Inflicted great damage to shipping
U.S. offered military aid
Provided ships and military escorts for British convoys
October 1941—USS Reuben James; first U.S. Navy ship sunk by Germany

51. German U-Boat

52. Winning the Atlantic
With U.S. officially at war, German U-boats in American waters
Tried to destroy American merchant ships
Hundreds of ships lost to German subs
After 1943, Allies able to fight back more effectively
Allied factories at full production
Large numbers of ships and planes
More firepower helped locate and destroy U-boats
Key German code system broken
Losses dropped sharply
Vital supply line to Great Britain and Soviet Union kept open
Atlantic belonged to Allies

54. War in North Africa and Italy
Italian and British forces battled for control of North Africa. The Suez Canal and the oil fields of the Middle East were essential to the British war effort. After Italian forces failed against the British, Hitler was forced to send German troops to support the Italians.
Afrika Korps led by Erwin Rommel
Pushed British back into Egypt
Traded blows for two years
1942—Battle of El Alamein
British victory under Gen. Bernard Montgomery
Axis power lessened in North Africa
Back-and-forth fighting
Soviets wanted European front
Invasion of western North Africa
Dwight D. Eisenhower led troops
Rommel caught between forces in east and west
Supply problems worsened
May 1943—surrendered to Allies
Americans join the battle
Nearly 250,000 Axis soldiers taken prisoner; with surrender, all of North Africa in Allied hands

56. Fighting in Italy Next Allied goal: Italy itself
July 1943, Allied soldiers landed on the island of Sicily
Weak Italian resistance
Benito Mussolini forced from power
Allies capture Sicily
Made plans to invade the Italian mainland
Hitler tried to protect against the Allied march through Italy
September 1943
Allies move into southern Italy
Strong German resistance as troops moved north
Bloody fighting continued for months