1. WC-B

2. World War II In 7 Minutes!

3. What Caused the War
Most historians believe that the causes of WWII can be traced to WWI ( ). The peace treaties that ended WWI did not make the world safe for democracy. Instead, it caused bitterness and anger.
In the early 1930s, the world was hit by an economic depression. Workers lost their jobs, trade fell off, and times were hard. People looked for leaders who could bring about change.

4. Rise of Dictatorships
Germany, Italy, and Japan all came under the rule of dictators or military leaders.
In Italy:
A dictator named Mussolini took power in Italy in 1922.
Sent Italian troops to conquer Ethiopia
In Japan:
Military leaders took
control in the early 1930s
Invaded China
In Germany:
Adolf Hitler, leader of
the Nazi Party, gained
power in 1933.
Began to arm
Germany for war
These leaders promised to restore their countries to greatness. But they set up totalitarian
governments.
A totalitarian government is controlled by a single political party that allows no opposition
and tightly controls people’s lives.

5. The Allied Powers
Major Allied Powers were: Britain, France, Russia, and the United States
At the start of the war, Russia and Germany were friends. However, on June 22, 1941, Hitler ordered a surprise attack on Russia…making Russia an enemy of the Axis Powers!
The United States hoped to remain neutral during WWII; However, the attacks at Pearl Harbor brought us into the war.

6. Leaders of the Allied Powers
Great Britain
Prime Minister of Great Britain during most of WWII, Winston Churchill
He was a great leader and well known for his famous speeches to his people

7. Leaders of the Allied Powers
United States
President: Franklin D. Roosevelt
He led the country out of the Great Depression and through WWII
Other Key Players
Harry S. Truman: became president after Roosevelt died. He made the call to use the atomic bomb against Japan
George Marshall: General of the U.S. Army
Dwight D. Eisenhower: Led the U.S. Army in Europe; planned and led the invasion of Normandy
Douglas MacArthur: General of the Army in the Pacific fighting the Japanese
George S. Patton, Jr.: Important general in North Africa and Europe

8. Leaders of the Allied Powers
Russia
Joseph Stalin, he was the General Secretary of the Communist Party.
He led Russia through terrible and devastating battles with Germany.
After winning the war, he set up the Eastern Bloc of Soviet led communist states

9. Leaders of the Allied Powers
France
Charles de Gaulle, Leader of the Free French
Led the French resistance movement against Germany

10. The Axis Powers The major Axis Powers were: Germany, Italy, and Japan
The alliance began to form in 1936

11. Wanted to purge Germany of all weak people
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and Fuhrer in He was a ruthless dictator who hated Jewish people.
Wanted to purge Germany of all weak people
Wanted to take control of all of Europe
Other Key Players
Heinrich Himmler, second in command to Hitler; he commanded the Gestapo police and was in charge of the concentration camps
Erwin Rommel, General that commanded the German army in Africa and the army during the Invasion of Normandy

12. Mussolini was supreme dictator of Italy
He founded the concept of a fascist government where there is one leader and one party that has total power
He was an inspiration to Adolf Hitler
Other Key Players
Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy and the head of the Italian Army; but he did whatever Mussolini told him to do until Mussolini was removed from power
Ugo Cavallero, Commander of the Italian Royal Army

13. Hirohito reigned as Emperor of Japan from 1926 until 1989
The first time his subjects heard his voice was when he announced Japan’s surrender on the radio
Other Key Players
Prime Minister of Japan, Hideki Tojo
Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander of the Japanese Navy and a leader in the attack on Pearl Harbor
Osami Nagano, was a Fleet Admiral and leader in the attack on Pearl Harbor