1. Axis vs. Allied Powers
WWII

2. AXIS POWERS
Germany Italy Japan

3. Nazi Germany Led by fascist dictator, Adolf Hitler
Hated Jews, blamed them for Germany’s loss in WWII
Germany needed lebensraum, or living space, for the Aryan race
Nazis put the well-being of Germany before the needs of individual citizens

4. Italy Led by fascist leader, Benito Mussolini
Used his “Blackshirts” to suppress political opposition to his party’s leadership and created the “Young Fascists” to indoctrinate children into the party’s militaristic beliefs

5. Japan
Between WWI & WWII, Japan’s military gained increasing influence over the government, especially after the Manchurian Incident
Consequently, Japan was led by a military leader, Hideki Tojo throughout most of WWII

6. Allied Powers
Great Britain France (until June 1940) The Soviet Union (1941) The United States (1941)

7. Great Britain Led by Winston Churchill
Fought with the French until French were defeated by Germany in June 1940
Fought alone until the Soviet Union and United States joined the fight against Germany in 1941

8. France Charles de Gaulle was their leader
Declared war on Germany in September 1939 along with the British
Defeated and occupied by the Germans in June 1940
Liberated by Allied forces in June 1944 w/ D-Day Invasion

9. Soviet Union Led by Communist dictator, Josef Stalin
Signed a non-aggression pact (agreement not to fight against) with Germany in 1939
Hitler broke the agreement in 1941
Joined forces with the Allies in June 1941

10. United States
Led by FDR until he died in April 1945, then led by Harry Truman
Tried to remain in isolation when the war began in 1939
Did help the British with Cash & Carry Plan as well as Lend-Lease
Drawn into the conflict when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941