World War II p

The Road to War By the end of 1941, 29 countries had already declared their support for the Allies – the United Stated, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. By the end of 1941, 29 countries had already declared their support for the Allies – the United Stated, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, and Japan – were supported by seven other countries. The Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, and Japan – were supported by seven other countries. The events leading to World War II began in the 1920’s. The events leading to World War II began in the 1920’s. Several dictators seized power by playing on the fear and anger people felt after WWI and the depression. Several dictators seized power by playing on the fear and anger people felt after WWI and the depression.

The Road to War The first dictator to take power was Benito Mussolini in Italy. The first dictator to take power was Benito Mussolini in Italy. In Germany, many people rallied around Adolf Hitler – leader of the National Socialist Worker’s Party, or Nazi Party. In Germany, many people rallied around Adolf Hitler – leader of the National Socialist Worker’s Party, or Nazi Party. The Depression also brought military leaders to power in Japan. The Depression also brought military leaders to power in Japan. In September of 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. 2 days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. In September of 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. 2 days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt promised to remain neutral, but provided Britain and the Soviet Union with weapons. President Roosevelt promised to remain neutral, but provided Britain and the Soviet Union with weapons. Japanese troops seized France’s colony of Indochina. The U.S. tried to stop Japan by applying economic pressure. Japanese troops seized France’s colony of Indochina. The U.S. tried to stop Japan by applying economic pressure. Desperate for resources, the Japanese government began planning an attack on the United States. Desperate for resources, the Japanese government began planning an attack on the United States. On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. who joined the Allies. 3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. who joined the Allies.

On the Home Front Out of the war came new technology, a new prosperity, and a new sense of power and strength. Out of the war came new technology, a new prosperity, and a new sense of power and strength. During the war, industry expanded rapidly. During the war, industry expanded rapidly. Incomes rose and unemployment fell. Incomes rose and unemployment fell. Far more women than ever before entered the work force. Far more women than ever before entered the work force. The war also created new opportunities for African Americans. The war also created new opportunities for African Americans. Japanese Americans experienced discrimination after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Worried about their loyalty, the government forced Japanese Americans on the West Coast to relocate to internment camps. Japanese Americans experienced discrimination after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Worried about their loyalty, the government forced Japanese Americans on the West Coast to relocate to internment camps.

D-Day The Allies were planning a massive invasion of France from the West, known as Operation Overlord. The Allies were planning a massive invasion of France from the West, known as Operation Overlord. On June 6, 1944 – D-Day – Allied ships landed thousands of troops on the coast of Normandy. On June 6, 1944 – D-Day – Allied ships landed thousands of troops on the coast of Normandy. After wading ashore the troops faced land mines and fierce fire from the Germans. After wading ashore the troops faced land mines and fierce fire from the Germans. From Normandy, the Allies pushed across France. From Normandy, the Allies pushed across France. On August 25, French and American soldiers marched through joyful crowds and liberated Paris. On August 25, French and American soldiers marched through joyful crowds and liberated Paris.

Victory in Europe In December 1944, the Germans mounted a last desperate offensive. In December 1944, the Germans mounted a last desperate offensive. In the Battle of the Bulge the Germans at first drove troops and artillery deep into a bulge in the Allied lines. In the Battle of the Bulge the Germans at first drove troops and artillery deep into a bulge in the Allied lines. After several weeks the Allies pushed the Germans back. After several weeks the Allies pushed the Germans back. The battle marked the end of serious German resistance. The battle marked the end of serious German resistance. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. One week later, Germany surrendered. One week later, Germany surrendered. 3 weeks earlier, President Roosevelt had died. 3 weeks earlier, President Roosevelt had died.

The Holocaust As the Allies liberated Germany they found horrifying evidence of Nazi brutality. As the Allies liberated Germany they found horrifying evidence of Nazi brutality. The Nazis hated Jews and committed genocide – the killing of an entire group of people. The Nazis hated Jews and committed genocide – the killing of an entire group of people. The built death camps where they killed thousands of Jews everyday in gas chambers. The built death camps where they killed thousands of Jews everyday in gas chambers. As many as 6 million Jews died in what became known as the Holocaust. As many as 6 million Jews died in what became known as the Holocaust.

War in the Pacific The U.S. adopted a strategy known as island hopping – seizing an island and using it as a base to attack the next island. The U.S. adopted a strategy known as island hopping – seizing an island and using it as a base to attack the next island. In March 1945 they seized the island of Iwo Jima and in June the island of Okinawa, the last stop before invading Japan itself. In March 1945 they seized the island of Iwo Jima and in June the island of Okinawa, the last stop before invading Japan itself. Before the invasion, the U.S. decided to use a new weapon – the atomic bomb. Before the invasion, the U.S. decided to use a new weapon – the atomic bomb. President Truman demanded that Japan surrender. He ordered the use of the bomb when Japan refused. President Truman demanded that Japan surrender. He ordered the use of the bomb when Japan refused.

War in the Pacific The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs in August The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs in August The first destroyed the city of Hiroshima. The first destroyed the city of Hiroshima. The second destroyed the city of Nagasaki. The second destroyed the city of Nagasaki. After the bombings, Japan agreed to surrender. After the bombings, Japan agreed to surrender. August 15 – V-J Day, for “Victory over Japan” – marked the end of World War II. August 15 – V-J Day, for “Victory over Japan” – marked the end of World War II.