1. World War II Summarize the effects of dictatorships and policies of
aggression in late 1930’s Europe.
(Italy, Soviet Union, Germany and Japan)
2. Summarize the American policy of isolationism prior
to WWII.
Analyze the response of Europe to Hitler’s plan for German expansion.
Analyze the American response to the war in Europe.
Summarize the events that led to America entering
the war.

2. Why it Matters
World War II, the most destructive war in history, resulted in the deaths of more than 40 million people.
More than half of the deaths were civilians, including about 6 million Jews and many others that were killed in the Holocaust.
At the end of the war, the US emerged as the strongest nation in the world and the possessor of a powerful weapon, the atomic bomb.

3. The Impact Today
World War II marked the beginning of the nation’s roles as a superpower.
The war also transformed the American economy into an enormously productive and enduringly prosperous economy.

4. Rise of Dictators

5. Mussolini
Organized unemployed war veterans into his own private military – Black Shirts they terrorized those opposing his Fascist Party They marched on Rome – Mussolini was the only one who could stop them

6. Stalin
Persecuted “Enemies of the State” those critical of his policies and the Communist Party
Thousands executed, millions sent to gulags
Countered by propaganda depicting Stalin as a benevolent leader

7. Japan
Thought they could solve Japan’s problems by expanding power in Asia
1931 – launched an attack on the province of Manchuria in northeastern China
1937 – invaded northern China, moving southward until it occupied most of the country
1940 – signed a pact of alliance, known as the “Axis,” with Germany and Italy
America stayed out of it…

8. War in Europe: Germany Since no one said anything about Rhineland…
Hitler took Austria, then Sudetenland
France and GB were allies of Czechoslovakia..
Munich Conference- Hitler promised to stop so they allowed it (appeasement-policy of giving in to the aggression of another gov’t in order to avoid war)
Hitler reneged and took the rest of Czech. the next year

9. War in Europe: Germany/Soviet Union
Poland
Nazi-Soviet Pact – agreed not to attack each other, secretly agreed to divide eastern Europe
Cavalry vs. planes and tanks, old rifles vs. modern weapons (blitzkrieg – lightning war)
Soviets attacked eastern Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
Horses vs Tanks

10. War in Europe: Germany advances
By May,1940 Hitler had taken Denmark, Norway, Holland and Belgium- moved in on France with Italy
Britain sent help, but British and French soldiers were trapped at the coast- managed to escape but France surrendered June,1940

11. War in Europe: Germany vs. Britain
Germany dropped bombs on London and other cities “Battle of Britain”
British Fighter pilots shot down 2000 German planes
After several months of bombing- Hitler gives up his invasion of Britain

12. FDR and American Policy
Neutrality was the official American position
FDR’s compromise:
-“cash and carry”
- 50 old destroyers for Britain for 99yr leases to military bases
America also prepared:
- military spending
-peacetime draft
-FDR ran for and won 3rd term

13. FDR and American Policy
Britain was running out of $$$ FDR fought for greater support of Allies by declaring US the Defender of Democracy 4 Freedoms: Freedom of Speech Freedom of Worship Freedom from Want Freedom from Fear Lend-Lease Act – allowed sales/loans of war materials to any nation deemed vital to defense/safety of the US

14. FDR and American Policy
Atlantic Charter- Agreement between FDR and Churchill not to seek more territory from the war, to support the right of people to choose their gov’t and to create a system of general security.

15. The US gets pulled in…
In June, 1941 – Germany attacks Soviet Union, Soviet Union joins Britain as Allied force
Japan had been continuing its aggressive acts in Asia,
needed supplies and wanted US to sell oil and scrap metal to them- They met to discuss terms-US refused unless Japan withdrew from China
Neither side would compromise- Japan got mad…

16. Axis vs. Allies
Dec. 7th, 1941 – Japan completes a sneak attack on US ships anchored in HI
19 American ships damaged/sunk
200 American planes destroyed
2400 people killed
Day of Infamy
Congress declares war on Japan- US – Allied Force
Axis – Germany, Italy, Japan, +6 more
Allies-Britain, France, Soviet Union, US, +45 more