1. War in Europe & War in Japan
The Course of WWII
War in Europe
&
War in Japan

2. War in Europe Hitler attacks (1939)
Poland with his blitzkrieg or “lightning war” using armored force, planes and tanks
Poland surrendered and was divided by Germany and the Soviet Union
Then he attacked Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France

3. War in Europe Hitler attacks France (1940)
Hitler attacked France and British troops trapped them on the beaches of Dunkirk
Most the British troops were rescued but France signed an armistice (truce) with Germany
German troops controlled three-fifth of France and set up an authoritative government
German controlled France was called Vichy France and was led by Marshal Henri Petain

4. War in Europe
German troops controlled three-fifth of France and set up an authoritative government
German controlled France was called Vichy France and was led by Marshal Henri Petain
Britain now asked US for help
US followed a policy of isolationism
But, US sent food, ships, planes and weapons to help

5. Hitler and Nazi officers in front of the Eiffel Tower
Petain and Hitler
Hitler and Nazi officers in front of the Eiffel Tower

6. War in Europe Hitler versus Britain (1940)
Hitler sent his Luftwaffe, German air-force, to bomb Britain
With the help of radar, Britain knew they were coming
Hitler decided not to bomb military targets but to bomb British cities
Britain hit back and German air force backed off

7. War in Europe Hitler attacks Soviet Union (1941)
Hitler’s plan to invade the Soviet Union got delayed because of problems in the Balkans
Hitler set up his “safety” by getting cooperation from Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. And took over Greece and Yugoslavia

8. War in Europe
Hitler invaded Soviet Union in June thinking he would defeat them before winter
He was WRONG!

9. War in Europe United States enters the war
Grand Alliance – Great Britain, United States and the Soviet Union – agreed to fight together until the other side surrendered unconditionally
Axis Powers – Germany, Italy and Japan

10. War in Europe Hitler versus Soviet Union
Soviets plan a counterattack – cut off supply lines to German soldiers
By spring 1943, Hitler knew Soviet Union was not to be defeated
Soviets started moving westward. They took back the Ukraine and the Baltic states and took Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Soviet troops went into Berlin in 1945

11. War in Europe Hitler verses the western front
June 6, 1944, D-Day – Invasion of France from direction of Great Britain
Forces led by US General Dwight D. Eisenhower (future president)
Landed on the beaches of Normandy
Allied forces took back France and made their way to Berlin and met up with Soviet troops

12. War in Europe Hitler finished
Hitler set up bunker under the city of Berlin
Wrote letter blaming the Jews for the war
Committed suicide in 1945
V-E Day – German generals surrendered May 1945 – Victory in Europe

13. War in Japan Japan attacks (1941)
December 7, 1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor
Also attacked: Philippines, Malaya (British colony), Dutch East Indies and other islands in the Pacific
Japan took over almost all of Southeast Asia and western Pacific and called it Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

14. War in Japan
Japan wanted to free Southeast Asia from western colonial rule
Japan attacked the US thinking it would make the US accept Japanese domination in the Pacific. They were WRONG!
The attack brought the US into world war. Four days after Pearl Harbor, Hitler declared war on the United States

15. War in Japan Japan versus US (1942)
Turning point of the war – Battle of Midway Island. United States defeated Japanese naval forces and took back the Pacific
General Douglas MacArthur used the policy of “island hopping” – capture some Japanese-held islands and going past others

16. War in Japan
Big Boom (1945)
President Harry S Truman had to decided whether or not to use the newest weapon – the atomic bomb – to avoid invading Japan. But, only two bombs were available
The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6
The second bomb was dropped three days later on Nagasaki
V-J Day – Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945 – Victory in Japan

17. Totals End of WWII 17 million people died battle
20 million civilians died
Around 50 million people all together