World War II Study Guide

What I need to understand Political and economic conditions in Europe following World War I led to the rise of fascism and to World War II. The rise of fascism threatened peace in Europe and Africa. As conflict grew in Europe and Asia, American foreign policy evolved from neutrality to direct involvement.

7.a Causes of WWII-What I need to know Economic devastation in Europe resulting from WWI World wide depression High war debt (from WWI) owed by Germany High inflation Massive unemployment Political instability marked by the rise of Fascism: Political philosophy; total power to dictator & individual freedoms denied; nationalism & racism emphasized

7.a Axis Powers Fascist dictators: Adolf Hitler – Germany Benito Mussolini – Italy Hideki Tojo - Japan

7.a: Allied Powers Democratic nations: United States – Franklin Roosevelt (Harry S. Truman) Winston Churchill – Great Britain Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union (joined allies after being invaded by Germany)

7.a: Gradual change in US foreign policy Isolation (Great Depression & legacy from WWI) Economic and military aid to Allies (Lend- lease program) Direct involvement in the war - Pearl Harbor

7.a: War in the Pacific Rising tension between US and Japan because of Japanese aggression in East Asia and Pacific. Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor USA declared war on Japan Germany declared war on USA.

What I need to understand about major events and turning points Despite initial Axis success in both Europe and the Pacific, the Allies persevered and ultimately defeated Germany and Japan. The Holocaust is an example of prejudice, discrimination, and genocide taken to the extreme.

7.b: Major Events and Turning Points(see also LP 20A) Germany invades Poland Germany invades France; captures Paris Lend-lease program (aid to allies for island bases) Japan bombs Pearl Harbor US declares war on Japan and Germany Battle of Midway (turning point in Europe) Germany invades Soviet Union-Battle of Stalingrad (turning point of war in Europe) D-day; Normandy, France; liberation of Western Europe US dropped atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki)

7.b: Holocaust Anti-Semitism Aryan supremacy Systematic attempt to rid Europe of Jews Tactics: Boycott of Jewish stores Discriminatory laws Segregation Ghettos Imprisonment & killing of Jews and others in concentration camps and death camps Liberation by Allied forces of Jews and others who survived concentration camps

7.c: What I need to understand about WWII on the home front. World War II affected every aspect of American life. Americans were asked to make sacrifices in support of the war effort and the ideals for which Americans fought.

7.c: What I need to know about WWII on the home front. American involvement in WWII ended Great Depression; factories needed to produce goods to win the war. Thousands of American women took jobs in defense plants (Rosie the Riveter) Americans at home supported war by conserving and rationing resources (victory gardens, ration books, scrap metal and rubber drives)

7.c: WWII on the home front Need for workers broke down some racial barriers; but discrimination against African Americans continued. Japanese Americans served in armed forces, but some were treated with distrust and prejudice; many forced into internment camps in the US