1. The End of World War II

2. Hitler’s Downfall Allied soldiers surrounded Berlin Adolf Hitler committed suicide Before his death, he ordered his supporters and generals to commit suicide as well Himmler: Head of the Gestapo/oversaw Concentration Camps Goebbels: Minister of Propaganda

3. Heinrich Himmler Hitler often referred to him as “the loyal Heinrich” In the last month of the war, he attempted to negotiate peace with the Allies behind Hitler’s back He claimed that Hitler would be “dead in two days” Shortly before Hitler committed suicide, he ordered Himmler’s death for his betrayal

4. Joseph Goebbels Hitler appointed him the new leader of Germany Nine days after becoming dictator, he surrendered “The Führer has given orders for me, in case of a breakdown of defense of the Capital of the Reich, to leave Berlin and to participate as a leading member in a government appointed by him. For the first time in my life, I must categorically refuse to obey a command of the Führer.”

5. Unconditional Surrender May 9, 1945: Germany surrendered August 15, 1945: Japan surrendered

6. Death Toll China: 20 million Germany: 7 million Japan: 2.6 million Poland: 5.6 million Soviet Union: 23.1 million United States: 418,000 Total of all countries: 72 million

7. The Nuremburg Trials The Nuremberg Trials: 24 Germans were accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity 12 were sentenced to execution 4 were sentenced to10-20 years in prison 3 were sentenced with life in prison 3 were acquitted of all charges 2 committed suicide prior to trial

8. The Nuremberg Trials “These prisoners are living symbols of racial hatreds, of terrorism and violence, and of the arrogance and cruelty of power.”

9. Creation of the United Nations The United Nations consisted of representatives from 50 nations and served the purpose of keeping world peace

10. Dividing Germany Allies split Germany France Great Britain Soviet Union United States *Poland

11. Communism With the rising power of the Soviet Union, Communism began to spread The United States’ opposition to Communism fueled what would become the Cold War The Cold War: A nonviolent conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States that lasted 44 years and resulted in the Soviet Union’s collapse