1. World War II European Theatre
Causes of the War and it’s Key Individuals
World War II European Theatre

2. Major Causes of World War II
Treaty of
Versailles
Rise of
fascism in
Italy
Japanese
expansionism
Economic
depression
Anti-
communism
Appeasement
Militarism
Nationalism
Hitler

3. Who and When?
Allied Powers: U.S., Great Britain & Soviet Union
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy & Japan
U.S. & Soviet Union became superpowers & set stage for Cold War

5. Germany’s Thoughts Germany in ruins after Treaty of Versailles
In need of a leader to restore country

6. Adolf Hitler / Germany Promised Germany would become world power
Blamed Jewish for defeat in WW1
Germany would rise to greatness after exterminating inferiors
Hitler & Nazi party elected
head of government in 1933
Third Reich

8. Italy Depression after WW1
Benito Mussolini gained control in 1922 after promising recovery
Ruled violently & destroyed individual rights
Fascist rule based on militarism, strong leader & government control

10. …meanwhile in Japan
Japan’s goal: most dominant military & empire in Asia
Lacked resources to be world power
Invasion of Manchuria, China to expand territory and gain resources

12. Theaters of War: Where WWII Was Fought
Europe
Atlantic Ocean
Asia
North Africa
Pacific

13. HITLER’S WWII PARTNERS

14. THE ALLIED POWERS IN WWII
India
Brazil
These are the nations that had a substantial number of soldiers involved in the fighting.
THE ALLIED POWERS IN WWII

15. Check-up 1) The Allied Powers consisted of whom?
2) The Axis Powers consisted of whom?
3) Why was Germany in ruins after WW1?
4) How did this help lead to Hitler’s rise to power?
5) What was Hitler’s belief about Germans?
6) Who was the leader of Italy who promised economic recovery?
7) What was preventing Japan from becoming a global power?
8) How did Japan go about acquiring these resources?
9) What goal did all three Axis Powers have in common?

16. Battle of the Bulge Last German offensive against Allies
December 1944-January 1945
Allies bombed major German cities & surrounded capital, Berlin
Germans loose over 200,000 troops

17. Battle of The Bulge Germans had a shortage of fuel & troops
Used English speaking Germans to obtain U.S. uniforms, artillery, etc…
Impersonated U.S. military, sabotaging communication
Greatest US victory of War (Patton)

18. “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his”.
George S. Patton

20. End of War in Europe Mussolini captured & killed April 28, 1945
Hitler retreats & hides in underground bunker for last month of war
Commits suicide April 30, 1945
War in Europe ends as Germans surrender in May of 1945
May 8, 1945 declared V-E Day: Victory in Europe Day

22. Hitler’s Bunker Pictures http://time

25. Why Was Hitler Ineffective?
Refused to let women work
Obsessed with extermination of Jewish
Mussolini as an Ally
Executed top generals
No wartime economy
Fought numerous fronts (again)

26. The Yalta Conference: February 4th-11th, 1945
“Big 3” met at Yalta Conference to discuss future for post-war Europe
Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill
Stalin promised to declare war on Japan
Agreed:
International peace group needed: United Nations
Germany split between GB, SU, U.S. & France

29. Check-Up
Directions: Take out a half sheet of paper for a written check up.
List the Allied and Axis Powers.
What was Germany’s last major offensive called?
When did Germany’s last major offensive take place?
What is the date of V-E day?
What conference did the “Big 3” meet at?
What individuals made up the “Big 3”?
What 2 things did the “Big 3” agree on?