1. Causes of World War II – Part 2

2. Expansionism The idea of expanding into new territory
Italy – Wanted a new Roman Empire in the Mediterranean
Germany – Wanted to regain the land lost in World War I and create a larger German state
Japan – Wanted oil and other natural resources in the Pacific

3. Anti-Semitism Hatred of the Jewish People
Hitler blamed the Jews for the problems Germany faced since World War I
Blamed the loss of World War I, Conditions in the Treaty of Versailles, and the massive depression on the Jewish people
Provided the Jewish people as a scapegoat for all the problems of the German world

4. Anti-Semitism
As Hitler takes power in Germany, Jewish people began to be seen as “sub-human”
Nazi thugs stop people from shopping in Jewish stores
Jews are forced to wear a Star of David on their chests
Nuremburg Laws – Jewish people lost their rights as German citizens and were forbidden from marrying non-Jews
Violence began to openly occur

6. Treaty of Versailles War guilt was placed on Germany
Not allowed to control naval ships, aircraft, poison gas, tanks, or any other heavy artillery
Forced to pay large amounts of money to other countries
Lands that spoke and felt culturally-connected to Germany were broken up

8. League of Nations Failure
Started with the idea of disarmament
Massive reduction in military services
Lacked a military force
Countries involved were more interested in helping themselves and not the collective good

9. Hitler’s Diplomatic Strategy
England and France had a policy of appeasement
Allowing things that to happen in order to avoid armed conflict
Hitler made reasonable demands to other European nations
Pulled out of the League of Nations
Began to re-arm itself, even though Germany was not allowed
Formed an alliance with Italy (Axis Alliance)
Began taking back old territory
Signed a peace agreement with the Soviet Union

10. Invasion of Poland Germany threatens Poland to join them as territory
To deter Hitler, France and Britain announce that an invasion would mean all-out war
Tried to convince the Soviet Union to join them and not Germany
Joins Germany instead
THIS OFFICIALLY BEGINS WORLD WAR 2!

12. Germany attempts to invade the USSR
Germany backs out of it’s alliance and attacks the Soviet Union in hopes that a fast-paced assault would catch them off-guard

13. America at the Start of WWII
During the first two years of the war the United States stayed officially neutral
The fear of getting into another large-scale war made many Americans wish to just stay out of world affairs

14. America at the Start of WWII
Despite strong isolationist sentiment at home, the United States increasingly helped Britain
Gave war supplies and older naval warships in return for naval bases in the Bermuda and the Caribbean

15. America at the Start of WWII
Lend-Lease Act
President has the authority to sell or lend equipment to other countries to defend themselves against the Axis Powers
This will incredibly anger Germany, who has an alliance with Japan
“…lending a garden hose to a next-door neighbor whose house is on fire.” -FDR

17. America at the Start of WWII
The United States refused to recognize Japanese conquests in Asia and imposed an embargo on exports of oil and steel to Japan.
Tensions rose but both countries negotiated to avoid war

18. America at the Start of WWII
Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Japan, without any warning, attacks Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
Destroyed most of the Pacific fleet and killed several thousand Americans

25. Roosevelt’s Famous Speech
The next day, Roosevelt asked Congress for a formal declaration of war
“A day that will live in infamy…”

26. Germany’s Response
Hitler honors a treaty that was signed with Japan and declares war on America
The debates over isolationism in the United States were over.
World War II was now a true world war and the United States was fully involved.