World War II

How did it begin??• Germany is in horrible shape

after the Treaty of Versailles. • The German people are united

by a charismatic, military leader that promises change.

• Using propaganda, he appealed to the economic needs of the lower and middle classes.

• Hitler claimed nationalism, preached anti-Semitism and anti-communism.

• With the establishment of a restructured economy, a rearmed military, and a totalitarian and fascist regime, Hitler pursued an aggressive foreign policy with the intention of expanding German Lebensraum ("living space"),

Hitler our last hope.

How did Hitler gain so much power?• Hitler believed that the best

way to get the support of the masses was by appealing to their feelings rather than by argument. They waged a propaganda (targeting the Jews) campaign using posters, leaflets, radio and film, and organized rallies.

• He cultivated the support of wealthy businessmen promising them that, if he came to power, he would destroy Communism and the Trade Unions. This gave him the finance to run his campaigns.

• Hitler promised something to everyone. He set up youth Hitler to get teens involved, he promised perks to the military. Break the Chains

Propaganda

• 31 August 1939, – German SS troops put

on a false attack on a German radio station at Gliewitz. Dressed in Polish uniforms to convince the world that Poland is the aggressor nation and to justify their coming invasion of Poland.

September 1st 1939• Operation Weiss": German troops invade Poland. German tanks thundered

across the Polish border at precisely 0445 hours, supported by Junkers Ju87 dive-bombers.Adolf Hitler was working on the new kind of warfare "Blitzkrieg", Lightning War that involved massive use of tanks, motorized infantry and airforce. Tactics of Blitzkrieg designed new role for tanks, spearheads for quick penetration of enemy territory.At 9.00 am England and France issue an ultimatum to Germany.

Blitzkrieg

• Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany. September 3rd 1939.

• Hitler's Lightening war is a success and most of Europe falls under Nazi Germany’s control very quickly.

Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin

• Hitler gained the time and freedom to attack the Countries on the Western front knowing that his back was covered by a Russian nation who was desperately trying to build up to protect themselves because even though Stalin signed the pact he had no trust in Hitler.

• Stalin knew Hitler would come, The Pact gave Stalin time to prepare.

What did the Non-Aggressive Pact do for Hitler??

• What does this pact allow for Hitler to do?

• Was this a “good” move on Hitler’s part?

• Is this a “good” move for Stalin?

How is the United States Responding?

• Politically? • Popular opinion?• American’s clinging to

Isolationism, Why??• Neutrality Acts

American Propaganda• Isolationist still

skeptical. Didn’t want to be dragged into another “European War”

• Debate amongst the public. Should we or shouldn’t we “get involved”

• Government put out patriotic posters.

• Patriotic song were on the radio.

The Phony War.

• Western Europe prepare for Hitler to attack. France set troops on it’s eastern border.

• Great Britain put military, air force, and navy on high alert.

• For months nothing happened.

In April of 1940, Hitler did a surprise attack on Norway and Denmark- The Phony War ended.

Women’s efforts during World War II

• What did women have to do in order for the United States to still be a “large player” in the war??

• Why did women have to go and do a “man’s job”?

Women in World War II

Benito Mussolini • Dictator of Italy from

1922 until 1943, when he was overthrown.

• He established a repressive fascist regime that valued nationalism, militarism (strict censorship and state propaganda)

• Mussolini became a close ally of German dictator Adolf Hitler.

American Conservation efforts with Propaganda

Dark Green: Allies before the attack on Pearl Harbor Light Green: Allied countries after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Orange: Axis Powers Lilac: Neutral countries during WWII

Axis and Allied Powers

Hitler bombs England

• Churchill (England’s Prime Minster) knows that Hitler has set his eyes on taking over England.

• Months earlier Churchill started preparing his people for the “surprise” attack

America’s 1st draft- In time of Peace

The United States enters the War

• The Attack on Pearl Harbor or Bombing of the Harbor was a surprise attack on the United States naval base on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. It was launched on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941 (Hawaii time) The attack spurred the U.S. into entering World War II.

• American casualties were comparatively light, at 2403 dead and 1178 wounded[1]; 5 obsolete[2] battleships, 3 destroyers, 3 cruisers, and 188 planes

Battleship Row during Attack

Day that will live in Infamy

• When President Franklin Roosevelt addressed the shocked American people, he called it "a date which will live in infamy." The date is observed each year in the U.S.

Roosevelt responds to the Attack

Map of the Japanese Empire at its height in 1942.

Young Americans of Japanese descent who have just arrived at an Assembly center,wait to have their bags inspected

Relocation center seen during a dust storm.

America’s fight in the Air over Europe

• The war became about air power control. The planes were instrumental in the success of a battle.

• Planes could either drop bombs, or have a manned gunner as seen here to the left.

V-E Day May13, 1945!!!Victory in Europe

Hitler commits suicide • The generally accepted cause

of the death of Adolf Hitler on April 30, 1945 is suicide by gunshot and cyanide poisoning.

• The dual method and other circumstances surrounding the event encouraged rumors that Adolf Hitler may have survived the end of World War II along with speculation about what

happened to his remains

• His soldiers claim that his body was burned in the compound that he was held up in.

America wants to settle a score with Japan

VS.

Round One…

Turning Point in the War- Battle of Midway

• The battle was a crushing defeat for the Japanese and is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of World War II. The battle permanently weakened the Japanese Navy.

• Japan intended on occupying midway and being able to control the seas.

Island hopping strategy to take control of Pacific.

Japanese step it up

• The Japanese don’t want to stop the war.

• Losing their grip on the foothold that they had the Japanese step up their forces.

• The KAMIKAZE was introduced to our soldiers

• literally: "god's wind"; common translation: "divine wind") is a word of Japanese origin, which in English usually refers to the suicide attacks

Truman takes over

• Roosevelt dies.• VP Truman takes over• Truman's presidency included

victory over Germany,• atomic bombings of Hiroshima

and Nagasaki, • surrender of Japan and the

end of World War II,• the founding of the United

Nations, • the Marshall Plan to rebuild

Europe, the Truman Doctrine to contain Communism, the beginning of the Cold War,

33rd President

Yes or NO….?

• Truman struggles with the decision to drop the A-Bomb

• Should the bomb be dropped and thousands of innocent lives be lost…ENDING the war.

• “The End justifies the Means”

1945: Japan signs unconditional surrender

United Nations is Born