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

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

Who and When? 1939-1945 Allied Powers: U.S., Great Britain & Soviet Union Axis Powers: Germany, Italy & Japan U.S. & Soviet Union became superpowers & set stage for Cold War

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

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

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

…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

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

HITLER’S WWII PARTNERS

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

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?

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

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)

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

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

Hitler’s Bunker Pictures http://time

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)

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

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?