Aggressors on the March Steps Leading to World War II

The Leaders of WWII

The Axis Powers “Axis” of Evil Adolf Hitler of Germany Benito Mussolini of Italy “Axis” of Evil Emperor Hirohito & Commander Tojo of Japan

Italy Germany Japan is over there in Asia http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/

The Allied Powers Franklin Roosevelt of U.S.A. Winston Churchill of Great Britain Charles DeGualle of France Chiang Kai-Shek of China Josef Stalin of USSR

USSR France Great Britain China is this way The U.S. is over yonder http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/

Germany, Italy & Japan build up their militaries The 1st Step to War… Germany, Italy & Japan build up their militaries Allied Response… NOTHING

The 2nd Step to War… In 1935, Italy attacks Ethiopia for its oil reserves. Allied Response… League of Nations branded Italy an aggressor & voted minor sanctions against them. They ignored the sanctions and the League did… NOTHING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZxHO41wCKc

The 3rd Step to War… In 1936, Germany & Italy officially form the Axis Powers. Allied Response… The U.S. passes Neutrality Act : wouldn’t allow the sale of arms to any country engaged in war and Roosevelt starts checking out Europe’s militaries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJdyYquynA

The 4th Step to War… Allied Response… NOTHING! In 1936, Hitler takes the Rhineland which breaks the Treaty of Versailles!! Allied Response… NOTHING! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpxdYTNkbe4

(Japan is NOT happy with us!) The 5th Step to War… In 1937, Japan opened a full scale war against China in order to get resources so Japan could grow economically. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ikymeClEBc Allied Response… The US Neutrality Act continues; By 1940, U.S. stops selling iron & steel to Japan. (Japan is NOT happy with us!)

http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20pacific/ww2%20pacific%20%20pages/ww2%20pacific%20map%2002.htm

The 6th Step to War… Allied Response: NOTHING!! In 1938, Hitler begins the purge of all Jews. German citizens torched Jewish homes, businesses, etc. They called it “Kristallnacht” or “Night of Broken Glass”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmVAu7RmNHI Allied Response: NOTHING!!

Total Number of European Jews in 1933: 9,500,000 http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/maps/

The 7th Step to War… In 1938, Germany forces the Austrian government to resign, called the Anschluss (the Austrian Nazi Party controlled Parliament so they wanted Hitler to take over) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5BnkQIBwxs Allied Response… NOTHING!!

http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20europe/ww2%20europe%20war%20index.htm

The 8th Step to War… In 1938, Hitler demands the Sudetenland (the western half of Czechoslovakia). Allied Response… Munich Conference Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain agreed to allow this annexation (appeasement) to preserve “peace in our time.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO725Hbzfls

Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later The 9th Step to War… Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later Allied Response… NOTHING!!

http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20europe/ww2%20europe%20war%20index.htm

Hitler’s real reason – He did not want to fight a war on two fronts. The 10th Step to War… (1939) Germany & USSR promise to not fight each other and [secretly] divide up Poland sign the Non-Aggression Pact. Hitler’s real reason – He did not want to fight a war on two fronts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukUw3RHIBrY Allied Response… NOTHING!!

http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20europe/ww2%20europe%20war%20index.htm

No longer fearing a war on two fronts, Hitler invades Poland. The last Step to War… No longer fearing a war on two fronts, Hitler invades Poland. Allied Response… WAR! Britain & France honor their guarantee to Poland and declare war on Germany. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B63DPFxZ4Ns

WORLD WAR II !! http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20europe/ww2%20europe%20war%20index.htm