Ch. 16, Sec. 3 and Sec. 4

The Holocaust (Germany’s Solution to Its Jewish Problem) (Ch. 16, Sec. 3)

How did the Nazis treat the Jews after they took over power? Jews became the targets of anti-Semitism as the Nazis persecuted them as Germany’s enemy Jews were stripped of their German citizenship & forced to wear the Star of David On night of Kristallnacht, German storm troopers attacked Jewish homes & businesses, killing and arresting Jews The Nazis then allowed Jews to leave, but foreign countries could not take them all (refused refuge)

What was Hitler’s solution to the “Jewish problem”? Hitler wanted nothing less than genocide (the complete extermination of the entire race) Jews were ordered to live in overcrowded, segregated, fenced-in areas known as ghettos They lived under horrible living conditions where disease & starvation killed thousands Jews were also forced into concentration camps where they would be worked to death

What was Hitler’s Final Solution to the problem? When Jews weren’t dying fast enough in the concentration camps, Hitler had another plan The Jews were then sent to death camps deep inside German controlled territory (Poland) At the death camps, the Jews were systematically put to death in gas chambers (showers) At first, bodies were buried in mass graves, but later the Germans began to cremate the bodies to get rid of the evidence

America Prepares for War (Ch. 16, Sec. 4)

How was America affected by the war in Europe? The United States had passed Neutrality Act in 1935 to avoid involvement in European Affairs In 1939, they revised the act to allow a “cash & carry” system (nations had to pay cash & provide their own transport of military arms) Italy, Japan, and Germany signed a mutual defense treaty & became the Axis Powers The US began to spend more on national defense and passed the first peacetime draft

How did the United States begin to prepare for possible war? With the threat of the Axis Powers growing, the US continued to build up its military strength US started the Lend-Lease Plan to help provide military aid to allied countries The US sent financial aid, medical supplies, much- needed food, & military supplies to the Allies When Hitler broke his agreement not to invade Russia, the US backed Stalin against Germany

What finally led the United States to enter World War II? German u-boats used wolf pack tactics to attack allied ships (including US ships) German u-boats attacked a US destroyer, killing more than 100 US sailors Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and destroyed most of the United States’ Pacific fleet America declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy declared war on the US / America entered WWII