How World War II Started No Nation Untouched

The Rise of Fascism Fascism: Philosophy of placing importance of the nation above the individual Italy and Germany embraced this philosophy by the need of rebuilding strength. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Totalitarian leaders: use of terror to suppress individuals and opposition

Leadership Mussolini: Il Duce “The Leader” Suspended elections, outlawed other political parties and established dictatorship Followed motto: “The Country is Nothing Without Conquest” by invading Ethiopia in October 1935.

Leadership Hitler: Joined National Socialist German Workers’ party in 1919 (also known as the ______ party) Powerful speaking ability made him a leader While in jail for political uprising, wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and outlined Nazi party views and German problems (Jews). Soon after became Der Fuhrer or “The Leader” by winning election and eliminating opposition

Roosevelt on Hitler “Remember the Nazi technique: ‘ Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer!’ We must not let that happen here.” “We must be particularly vigilant against racial discrimination in any of its ugly forms. Hitler will try again to breed mistrust and suspicion between one individual and another, one group and another, one race and another.” -State of the Union Address 1942

Europe in War Mussolini and Hitler make alliance in 1936 Both men wanted to push their views and powers across Europe Germany, Italy and later joined by Japan became known as the “Axis Powers” Germany began taking countries by force including Austria and Czechoslovakia

Europe in War After Germany threatened Poland, France and Britain declared war. Germany quickly seized Poland with a military method called blitzkrieg or lightning war. Blitzkrieg: Quick air strikes, tanks and artillery to overpower larger militias; in this case Poland.

Nazis Advance Further The advancing German captured many countries in three-month period: Denmark Norway Belgium Netherlands France (May 10 – June 14)

Battle of Britain Nazis next target was Britain From December 1940 – June 1941, Nazis launched the greatest air assault in history to date. 1,000 planes a day bombed Britain Hitler finally decided to end bombing and Britain used this as a spirit of defiance.

Japan’s Emerging Empire Depression also hit Japan hard economically Japan saw how Germany and Italy were expanding control in its region and wanted much the same in Asia Islands that were colonies of Europeans were easy targets FDR angered by these efforts began imposing trade sanctions

American Involvement Isolationism: America would stay out of other nations’ quarrels FDR however saw that war was probably unavoidable and started to help other countries Lend-Lease Act (March 1941): Aid any nation whose defense was believed to be vital to American security – “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”