World War II Begins Write On Grade 5

In this activity you will: Learn how and why the World War II began. Famous leaders that contributed to the start of the war When the United States entered the war How it effected the people

The Rise of Dictators Four countries were led by dictators because of the Depression. 1. Germany-Adolf Hitler 2. Italy-Benito Mussolini 3. Japan- Emperor Hirohito 4. Soviet Union-Joseph Stalin

German Dictator, Adolf Hitler A dictator that used military aggression against the rest of Europe to secure his goals for Germany.

Italy-Benito Mussolini

Soviet Union-Joseph Stalin A dictator that was against Hitler. “Hitler’s fascism is a right wing reaction to Stalin’s communism.”

Emperor Hirohito Japan also had a militaristic government that was seeking to expand their nation’s power.

Why does the war begin? When did the World War II begin? September 3, 1939 Why? Germany thought the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were unfair. Germany wanted to avenge itself by taking over Europe. They felt they were a superior. Three countries: Japan, Italy, and Germany formed an alliance called the Axis Powers. They wanted to take over other countries in Europe.

Germany Hitler thought Germans were a superior people.

Europe’s response to the Axis Powers Leaders tried to avoid war with Hitler’s aggression with a policy of appeasement, giving into his demands. Didn’t work because Germany invaded Poland.

The Beginning of World War II Germany declared war on Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany. Germany defeated France and started bombing Great Britain. Germany invaded the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR (Russia)

How does the United States get involved? The United States was hesitant to get involved at first. They believed that Europe should handle its own problems, But, Roosevelt wanted to help Great Britain, France, and Soviet Union supplies.

Great Britain and Free France Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill

Why did the US get involved? December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. * This harbor was a base used by the Navy. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Germany and Italy declared war on the US to support Japan.

Axis Powers VS. Allied Powers Axis Powers – Germany – Italy – Japan Allied Powers – United States – Great Britain – Soviet Union – Free France The goal of the Allied Powers was to stop the Axis Powers and defeat them unconditionally so that they could not invade other countries again.

Allied Powers Strategies The invasion of North Africa The invasion of Italy The invasion of Normandy, France.

Pacific Island Hopping The purpose of the island-hopping strategy in the Pacific theater to get within range of the gasoline tank capacity of American bombers and ultimately to invade the Japanese home islands. The idea was to capture certain key islands, one after another, until Japan came within range of American bombers.

Hopping from Island to Island

Germany’s Downfall The invasion of Normandy led to the eventual surrender of the Axis powers in Europe, but the Allied powers continued to struggle against a Japanese army that was determined to fight to the last man.

Invasion of Normandy, France

Fear of another attack from Japan The Japanese Americans faced the worst discrimination, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The United States feared that the Japanese Americans would help Japan attack the U.S.

Japanese Americans President Roosevelt ordered about 110,000 Japanese Americans be put in internment camps. Japanese Americans were made to leave their homes and businesses. Imprisoned without proof of disloyalty. Some Japanese Americans served in the American military in the European theater.

Japanese Internment camp

The death of a President Suddenly his hand fell, with the fingers twitching. One of his cousins asked if he had dropped something, and he murmured "I have a terrific headache." Then, Roosevelt's arm fell to his side, his head sagged, and his entire body slumped in the chair. It was 1:15 p.m. After serving 4 terms as President, Franklin D. Roosevelt died, April 12,1944.

Downfall of Japan As President Truman preparations for the invasion of Japan, scientists successfully tested the world’s first atomic bomb. It was Truman's decision of whether to risk many more American lives with an invasion of Japan or to use the atomic bombs.

The Atomic Bomb The United States dropped two bombs, one on Hiroshima and a second on Nagasaki, which led to the surrender of the Japanese and brought about the end of World War II.

Americans at War The war led to the production of: * Airplanes * tanks * other war supplies If the men were off fighting who took over the men’s jobs? Women

Women went from this to… Women, as the homemakers, were responsible for rationing and victory gardens. More women also began to work outside the home in greater numbers. They took the place of husbands, sons and brothers in factories and built airplanes, trucks and ships.

“Rosie” Although women sometimes faced discrimination, ‘Rosie the Riveter’ became an icon of the period. Women expected to return home when the war ended and the soldiers returned to their jobs, but many missed the workplace. This wartime experience helped lay the foundation for the women’s movement of the 1960s.

The Great Recovery The economy was finally pulled out of the depression by the war effort as everyone went to work to help win the war.

Women and the War Women carried out many of the same duties they had during World War I. This time they took on even more responsibilities such as: – Serving in the armed forces – Making maps – Flying more planes to airfields in Europe and the Pacific

The Federal Government Gained more power over the people Took control of businesses – Setting prices – Wages Due to a great need for supplies overseas many supplies had to be rationed in the U.S.

War on the Homefront World War II had a social impact on the United States that would have long term political effects. The nation came together as each American was encouraged to “Do Your Part” in the war effort.

War on the Homefront Each and every American was called upon to conserve scarce materials by contributing to scrap metal drives and planting “Victory Gardens.” However voluntary conservation was not enough and Americans were required to use ration booklets.

African Americans African Americans demanded the right to wartime jobs and President Roosevelt ordered that they be given opportunity. Many more African Americans moved to cities in the north and on the Pacific coast to work in wartime industries.

African American Airmen African Americans made some strides in the military during the war, such as the Tuskegee Airmen, however, they still served in segregated units and were often called upon to do the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs.

African American Soliders The role played by African American soldiers in the war and the treatment by whites on the homefront after the war ended prompted President Truman to order that the army be desegregated after the war.

African Americans New Position The experiences of African Americans serving their country at home and abroad helped to lay the foundation for the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

Results of the War As a result of the war, political boundaries of some nation-states were changed and some governments were altered. The United States established a democracy in occupied Japan.

Germany’s Fate Germany was divided into four zones and occupied by the four Allied powers.

What happened to Germany? Soon the United States, Great Britain and France united their zones and helped to create a democratic government in what became known as West Germany.

Soviet Union’s East Germany – The Soviet Union established a communist government in East Germany. – Berlin, the former capital of Germany, was similarly divided although it was located entirely within the Soviet zone. – The Soviet Union also set up puppet regimes in the eastern European nations that they liberated from German occupation.

US back on top of the economy Key developments in technology, aviation, weaponry, and communication had a huge impact on World War II and on the economy of the US both during the war years and in the postwar period.

US back on top of the economy With the increase in production necessary to sustain the war effort, the economy of the United States experienced a boost, lifting the nation out of the Great Depression.

US back on the top of the economy Medical advances in the treatment of infection and disease such as penicillin have helped to prolong the lives of many Americans and contributed to an aging population.

Aviation Innovations included improved bombers that were able to fly farther and the use of radar to track these planes and to spot enemy planes. By the end of the war, jets were being developed. After the war, personal and business air travel and the transportation of goods around the world grew significantly because of the technology of the airplane.

Communications Secret communications codes developed during the war contributed to the development of computer systems designed to break those codes. The first computers were room-sized machine. The computer industry has grown tremendously in the last 60 years and as a result Americans enjoy almost instant access to information through the use of their personal computers, lap tops, cell phones and ipods.

World’s 1 st Digital Computer

Weaponry Advances in weaponry were made in response to wartime needs. The two atom bombs that were dropped on Japan were developed by a team of scientists in the United States who were trying to beat the Germans to the technology.

Atomic Technology Atomic technology has had a significant impact on the economy of the United States since World War II. The arms race started as a result of America’s exclusive control of the atom bomb. This race to develop new and better bombs and ways to deliver them to the target have resulted in extensive government spending which has both stimulated the economy and focused spending on the military. Peacetime uses of nuclear technology may include a clean and renewable source of energy however Americans are cautious about this technology.