World War II Leaders

Franklin D. Roosevelt United States (Democracy) President (Democratic Party) Constitutional Federal Republic First elected in 1932, wealthy New Yorker Served as Governor of New York, author of the New Deal programs to end the Great Depression Wanted to keep U.S. out of the war U.S. declared war after being attacked by Japan During WWI, he was a leader: Assistant Secretary of the Navy Clarify that he asked Congress to declare war…Reminder that President does not have Constitutional power to declare war. Contracted polio. Lost ability to walk and use his legs. He was never shown in his wheelchair. He figured out how to walk. Rod strapped onto his legs. Pants were baggy back then. He would have his son right by his side. Lift one leg to put all pressure on other leg. Forward motion. Immense PAIN!!! He did not want to look weak before the American public.

Winston Churchill United Kingdom (Great Britain) Prime Minister (Tory: conservative party) Constitutional Monarchy First elected in 1940 Famous for being a powerful speaker, inspired his nation Stood alone against the Nazis Met and wrote to FDR pleading for U.S. to enter the war In WWI, Australia was still part of UK; fought under British flag. Churchill ordered an amphibious assault that was a disaster!!! Ordered assault in Turkey. Thousands died in Gallipoli on that peninsula. Churchill resigned. Hitler moved east to attack Russia. If they had gone west, England would have collapsed.

Joseph Stalin Soviet Union Secretary General (Communist Party) Communist, Totalitarian Took power in 1922 Signed a non-aggression pact with Germany in 1939 Germany broke that treaty and attacked the USSR in 1941 The Soviets switched to the Allied side Changed his name to Stalin, which means Steel. His daughter despised him and defected to US. Moved to New Mexico and died a few years ago. Historians guess (low ball estimate) that he killed over 20 million of his own people! At Leningrad, Russians are fighting Nazis. Winter. Cold. Generals were told to tell the troops that another regiment of troops would be behind them to shoot them DEAD if they decided to defect and run. Nickname: Uncle Joe as named by FDR. Cold war that begins at end of WWII with Stalin is covered in 8th.

Adolf Hitler Germany Chancellor (National Socialist German Workers Party – Nazi Party) (Fascism) Republic – to a Dictatorship, Totalitarian Ignored the Versailles Treaty – began military build up Took the Rhineland, went into Austria Czechoslovakia Poland Religion? He was born Catholic, and never publicly renounced. He hated principals of equality and compassion because he saw those as weak qualities. Nazism is not seen as Christian… Advisers like Goebbels and Himmler were atheists.

Benito Mussolini Italy Il Duce (National Fascist Party) Constitutional Monarchy to Dictatorship Elected in 1922 Invaded Ethiopia in 1935, took Albania in 1939 Signed agreement in 1939: “The Pact of Steel” with Germany

Hirohito Emperor of Japan Constitutional Monarchy Militarism (Parliamentary Democracy) Took over throne in 1926 Attacked China in 1937 Signed pact with Germany and Italy in 1940 Attacked the U.S. in 1941