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.

Causes W WI and the Treaty of Versailles A ppeasement R ise of Totalitarianism

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 $33 Billion – Germans are bankrupt, embarrassed, guilt ridden, and angry. Desperate people turn to desperate leaders

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler was born in Austria, served in the German Army during WWI, and published a book titled Mein Kampf or “My Struggle” In his book, Hitler focused on his belief that the most advanced race in the world was the traditional German race, with blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes. He called this the “Aryan” race. »“Every manifestation of human culture, every product of art, science and technical skill, which we see before our eyes today, is almost exclusively the product of Aryan creative power."

Hitler… Mein Kampf also attributed everything bad about society to the rise of the Jewish religion Hitler claimed that all Jews were sneaky, lazy, and had contributed nothing to society He claimed Jewish people were Communists and were seeking to take over the world » What’s contradictory about this statement? When Hitler’s book was published, he was already a well known figure in Germany. Eventually he became the Fuhrer, or leader, of Germany.

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. 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 Dictatorship Japan: Military Dictatorship

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 Lebensraum- “living space” – Austria - annexed peacefully in 1938 – Sudetenland – territory in Czechoslovakia Given to Germany by Great Britain and France – Hitler then invades the rest of Czechoslovakia – On to Poland

How did WWII start? Germany invaded Poland. Britain, France, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada then declare war on Germany. The Allies had agreed to defend Poland if and when Hitler tried to invade. Germany then invades France, Belgium, and on and on 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

What about the Pacific War? The US (mostly) fought the Japanese. 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 Japan surrenders after US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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 – After a series of battles, Germany is losing ground and struggling to defend themselves Germany surrenders in 1945 after Hitler commits suicide. – Mussolini is later caught and hung.

How did WWII end in Europe? Allies divide Germany up between them. -Not to keep but to monitor… Trials are held in Germany (and Japan) to try the people responsible for the war. – Many are executed and jailed for war crimes. Important to note that WWII did not end with a treaty like WWI… Most believed the Treaty of Versailles did not end WWI, but instead led to WWII

Quick Facts War Costs – US Debt $9 Billion – US Debt $98 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, 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

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).