The largest and most destructive war in human history World War II 1939-1945 The largest and most destructive war in human history

Causes of WW II The Treaty of Versailles Shift of powers in Europe Humiliated Germany Shift of powers in Europe Britain & France:20th Century’s Strongest United States became world’s most powerful country Soviet Union began rise in power Germany, Italy & Japan became ambitious to be rich and powerful The Great Depression Many other countries depended on US wealth

Causes of WW II The rise of Dictators Hitler, Mussolini & Stalin Japan, Italy, Germany & the Soviet Union Japan began to take great strides in becoming the great power in the Asian Pacific Italy began to conquer African colonies and Western Europe Germany & the Soviet Union began to build empires in Europe and Asia European War to World War Battles in Europe led to war in the Pacific This involved the United States

Division of Powers AXIS ALLIED Germany Italy Japan Great Britain France United States Soviet Union China

Important Individuals Adolf Hitler-Germany Benito Mussolini-Italy Joseph Stalin-Soviet Union Neville Chamberlain-British Prime Minister Franklin D. Roosevelt-US President Hideki Tojo-Japan Prime Minister Winston Churchill-British Prime Minister Harry S. Truman-US President

Adolf Hitler Born in 1889 German “Master Race” and hated Jews Served in WWI on the Western Front Developed hate for enemies of Germany after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles Head of the Nazi party & dictator of Germany Led Germany into war with Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States

Adolf Hitler Eventually led Germany to ruin and defeat Death of millions of people Destruction of much of Europe Democracy threatened Germany’s strength Committed suicide just before WWII ended in Europe (1945)

Benito Mussolini Born in 1883 One time teacher and journalist Rose to power in Italy in the 1920’s Member of the fascist party and dictator of Italy. Most likable of all other dictators Known to Italians as “Il Duce” (the leader)

Benito Mussolini Mussolini and Hitler became political partners. Both had very similar beliefs. Mussolini regarded Hitler once as “a mad little clown” Built up Italy’s military to regain the glory of the Ancient Romans Invaded Ethiopia and the League of Nations banned trade with Italy Died in 1945

Joseph Stalin Born in 1879 Dictator of the Soviet Union Communist One of the most cruel and feared dictators in history Brought massive hardship to the Soviet Union Enemies with Hitler in the beginning. They became allies during the war by signing the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact.

Britain Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Prime Minister 1937-1940 Known for his appeasement foreign policy Forced to resign after Germany invaded Netherlands, Belgium & France Winston Churchill Served as prime minister twice 1940-1945 & 1951-1955 Known for his speeches and was a great inspiration to the British people Worked with Pres. Roosevelt for the final destruction of the Nazi Tyranny

Franklin D. Roosevelt Made efforts to remain neutral in European affairs with a number of neutrality acts. Elected for a third term in 1940 Lend-Lease Act with Britain After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, asked congress to declare war on Germany, Italy & Japan. Agreed with Churchill that the only possible solution for ending war with Germany & Japan was unconditional surrender. Died in office on April 12, 1945

Japan Hideki Tojo Emperor Hirohito Prime Minister of Japan Planned attacks on the United States Was arrested for war crimes and executed in December 1943. Emperor Hirohito Emperor of Japan until his death in 1989 Demanded that Japan surrender after atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Harry S. Truman Became president after FDR’s death in 1945 Ordered the Enola Gay, a B-29 bomber, to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 and then 3 days later on Nagasaki, Japan. Led the US to victory over Germany and the end of WWII in Europe.

Timeline 1931-Japan invades Manchuria 1935-Italy invades Ethopia March 1936-Germany invades the Rhineland March 1938-Germany invades Austria March 1939-Germany seizes Czechoslovakia September 1939-Germany invades Poland Blitzkrieg: Lightening War September 1939-Breat Britain & France declare war on Germany September 1939-Soviet Union invades the Baltic (Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia) 1940-Finland surrenders to Soviet Union

Timeline April 1940-Germany acquires Denmark, Norway, Netherlands & Belgium June 1940-German troops marched into Paris August 1940- Germany invades Britain in the Battle of Britain. October 1940- Germany retreats from Britain June 1941-Hitler attacks Soviet Union

Timeline December 7, 1941-Japan attack Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. December 8, 1941-President Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war. December 11, 1941-Germany & Italy declare war on the United States. December 11, 1941-Congress declares war. January 1, 1942-US joins Allies April 9, 1942-Bataan Death March 1942-Allies begin massive bombing in Germany

Timeline April 1942- Battle of Coral Sea in Australia June 1942- Battle of Midway in Hawaii June 6, 1944- D- Day: Troops storm the beach at Normandy, France Aug 1943-Feb 1944- Vicious campaign at Guadacanal (Soloman Islands) June 1944- Battle at Leyte Gulf in Phillippines December 6, 1944-Battle of the Bulge: Germans attempt to break through Allied lines in Belgium March 1945-Allies seize islands of Iwo Jima & Okinawa

Timeline April 1945-Soviets surround Berlin April 13, 1945- Hitler commits suicide May 7, 1945-Germany signs unconditional surrender ending war in Europe May 8, 1945-V-E Day: “Victory in Europe” July 6, 1945-Test atomic bomb in New Mexico August 6-9, 1945- Enola Gay drops bomb on Hiroshima & Nagasaki August 15, 1945- V-J Day: Victory over Japan September 2, 1945-Japan signs unconditional surrender