World War II Notes

What was WWII? Largest war in human history. Involved countries, colonies, and territories around the entire world. By the end, over 70 million were dead. It lasted from 1939 until 1945.

W WI and the Treaty of Versailles Appeasement (giving in to demands) Causes W WI and the Treaty of Versailles Appeasement (giving in to demands) Rise of Totalitarianism (dictators with total control)

WWI and the Treaty of Versailles Germany lost land to surrounding nations War reparations Allies collect $ to pay back war debts to US Germany pays $57 trillion (modern day equivalent) Germans are bankrupt, embarrassed, guilt ridden, and angry. Desperate people turn to desperate leaders

Appeasement Giving someone something to make them happy and leave you alone. Hitler demanded land that wasn’t Germany’s and others just gave it to him. Nations were trying to prevent war…it didn’t work. (Isolationism) Appeasement just showed Hitler that he could do whatever he wanted.

“Peace in Our Time!”

Rise of Totalitarianism A system in which the state and its leader have nearly TOTAL control. Individual rights are not viewed as important as the needs of the nation. No right to vote No free speech Government controlled economy Often a police state

Totalitarianism USSR: Communist Dictatorship Germany & Italy: Fascist Japan: Military

Adolf Hitler-Germany Hideki Tojo - Japan Benito Mussolini-Italy Josef Stalin-USSR

What is Fascism? Political belief that says the individual is less important than the nation. Glorifies violence, believes it is needed to “prove” strength of a people. Uses nationalism and racism. Dictatorships. Italy and then Germany became fascist.

How did WWII start? Germany invaded Poland to get lebensraum

What did Hitler Want? Militarism- soon after becoming chancellor he begins rearming Germany breaking the Treaty of Versailles Rhineland- moves troops into the Rhineland territory again breaking the Treaty of Versailles Expands and conquers other areas On to Poland

How did WWII start? Germany invaded Poland. Allies declare war on Germany. Germany then invades France, Belgium, etc. Then Hitler invades Russia. Germans use “blitzkrieg” to overwhelm other armies. Blitzkrieg means “lightening war” in German. Surround with tanks and troops in trucks.

Who was on each side? Axis Powers Germany Italy Japan Allied Powers Great Britain Soviet Union United States France Surrendered to Germany in 1940 after 6 weeks

Why did the U.S. enter the War? December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to sink US ships there. Two hours = most US navy destroyed and 2,000 sailors killed Video 1, Video 2, Video 3

President Roosevelt’s speech: A Day that Lives in Infamy “Yesterday, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked. No matter now long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.”

Hear any similarities? “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining acts.” (Excerpts from President George W. Bush’s speech On September 11, 2001)

Review: Check your notes: What were 3 causes of WWII? HW: READ CH. 26 due Thursday!! Check your notes: What were 3 causes of WWII? Who were the main totalitarian leaders? What were the two sides called? Why did the U.S. join the war in 1941? Think about it: What are reasons U.S. Presidents give the American people to go to war? Is this just?

Bataan Death March Video

Navajo Code Talkers

Battle of Midway Turning Point in the Pacific June 4, 1942 Japan bombs the Midway islands Allies are prepared and expect the attack

Wartime U.S. War Production Board -converted factories to war production Another Draft Sold War Bonds Women worked in factories and grew victory gardens But Minorities still didn’t have rights Japanese Internment Camps

Where is this picture from?

Tokyo burns U.S. flag raised on Iwo Jima (highest point) http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway/videos/a-key-to-victory?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false

Japan surrenders after US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Videos; Japanese Internment in U.S.

How did WWII end in Europe? Operation Overlord- Allied invasion of France. Also called D-Day. Within a month 1 million Allied troops were stationed in Europe. Germany is surrounded with the USSR to the east Germany surrenders in 1945 after Hitler commits suicide.

How did WWII end in Europe? Allies divide Germany up between them. This helps start the Cold War. Trials are held in Germany (and Japan) to try the people responsible for the war. Many are executed and jailed for war crimes.

What was the Holocaust? Nazi plan to kill all Jews. Why? Hitler’s provided a to Germany’s problems 6 million Jews murdered in camps in Europe. 5 million others (gypsies, mentally ill, homosexuals) Total of 11 million exterminated What is genocide? Purposely trying to exterminate an entire group of people (ethnic, religious, racial).

Quick Facts War Costs US Debt 1940 - $9 Billion WWII cost $330 billion – 10 times the cost of WWI & equivalent to all previous federal spending since 1776

Losses of the Major Wartime Powers in WWII, 1939-1945 Germany 4.5 million military 2 million civilian Japan 2 million military 350,000 civilians Italy 400,000 military 100,000 civilian China 2.5 million military 7.4 million civilians USSR 10 million military 10 million civilians Great Britain 300,000 military 50,000 civilians France 250,000 military 350,000 civilian United States 274,000 military

Impact Forced U.S. out of the Great Depression U.S. emerges as global superpower Later: Cold War and Nuclear Arms Race (mostly USSR vs. U.S.) United Nations was formed (War Crimes Trials): Could an organization of nations avoid war through discussion and diplomacy?