Fascism a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. Communism : a way of organizing a society in which the government owns the things that are used to make and transport products (such as land, oil, factories, ships, etc.) and there is no privately owned property

The Origins of WWII Mao Zedong (CCP) and Chiang Kaishek (GMD) Spanish Civil War Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact German invasion of Poland leads to declaration of war from England and France Hitler invades USSR, breaking pact and reuniting the left behind the war effort

US Enters the War US issues embargo against Japan; competition over hegemony in the Pacific Dec. 7, 1941: Japan launches “surprise” attack on Pearl Harbor US declares war on Japan (Dec. 8); Germany declares war on US (Dec. 11) Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan) v. Allies (US, USSR, UK, France, Canada, etc.)

European Theater Most troops and largest battles on the Eastern Front (Germany/USSR; but US provides Lend-Lease aid to USSR and UK throughout the war Allied Powers (UK and US) invade North Africa; Invasion of Sicily But as early as 1942 the USSR urged a cross channel invasion into France; finally launched on June 6, 1944 Allies push from all fronts into Germany; eventually occupy Berlin and force surrender

Pacific Theater Japan occupies Burma, the Philippines, etc. in 1942 But US Navy wins battles at Midway and the Coral Sea in Spring/Summer of island-by-island movement of American forces establishing closer bases for the eventual bombardment of Japan August 6-9, US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Japan surrenders

Was the Bomb Necessary? Truman and his advisors claimed invasion of Japan would cost 500,000 US lives But it has been argued that Japan was willing to accept the “unconditional surrender” terms of Potsdam in July Was the bomb used to prevent Soviet occupation of Japan and/or as the first salvo in the Cold War? Note: fire bombings of Dresden, Tokyo, and other cities produced more casualties

A People’s War? Government, press, and most radicals supported war The Good War; War to defend the Free World FDR and the Four Freedoms 18 million serve; 25 million buy war bonds Women in the workforce; Rosie the Riveter Opportunities for African- Americans

Myth and the Greatest Generation 43,000 conscientious objectors; 350,000 draft evaders 14,000 strikes involving 7 million workers Black Market; adultery; juvenile delinquency Many women laid off when men return home Segregated military and blood banks Bracero Program and Zoot Suit Riots Japanese Internment Holocaust- 6 million Jews, millions of other groups

A War for Democracy?: The Post-War World Atlantic Charter of 1941 Bretton Woods: the IMF and the UN The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan NSC-68 and the “Long Telegram”

Proxy Wars Greece (1947) China (1949) Korea ( ) Iran (1953) Guatemala (1954)