1. WORLD WAR II

2. Introduction
World War II (WWII or WW2), also known a the Second World War, was a global war.
It is generally considered to have lasted from 1st September 1939 to 2nd September 1945, (6 years, 1 day) although some conflicts in Asia that are commonly viewed as becoming part of the world war had been going on earlier than that.
It involved the vast majority of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.

3. The Participants Axis Powers -Italy -Germany -Japan Allied Powers
-England
-Soviet Union (after German attack on June 22, 1941)
-France
-United States

4. The Allies GREAT BRITAIN UNITED STATES CANADA SOVIET UNION
Winston Churchill
UNITED STATES
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
CANADA
SOVIET UNION
Joseph Stalin

5. Cont…
It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people, from more than 30 different countries, serving in military units.
In a state of "total war", the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources.
Marked by mass deaths of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it resulted in an estimated 50 million to 85 million fatalities.
These made World War II the deadliest conflict in human history.

6. January 1933: Hitler became Chancellor of Germany

7. Rise of Hitler Nazi Party organized, 1920s
Nazi party largest in Germany, 1932
Hitler voted as chancellor, 1933
New parliament created
450, 000 members
Larger than German army
Blamed Jews, communists for
Germany’s problems
Promised return of German pride

8. Immediate Causes of WW II
In Germany Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 as a fascist dictator.
Hitler Hated the Treaty of Versailles and violated it. First he built up the German military.
Then he sent troops into the Rhineland.
This was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which said in 1919 that Rhineland was a demilitarized zone.

9. Immediate Causes of WW II
Hitler wanted to conquer whoever he felt was inferior to the Germans. He wanted “living space” for the Germans in Eastern Europe.
On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland without a declaration of war. This starts World War II.
Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
Italy declared war on France and Britain on June 10, 1940.

10. Causes Of WWII Political instability & economic devastation
Depression
High war debt owed by Germany
High inflation
Massive unemployment
Rise of Fascism
Fascism = “total power is given to a dictator”
Germany – Adolf Hitler
Italy – Benito Mussolini
Japan – Hideki Tojo
*Became the Axis Powers (Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis)

11. Mobilizing for War 1940- Economy focuses on military mobilization
Massive industrial output (twice as productive as Germany, 5 times Japan)
Primary focus: tanks, planes, battleships
War Production Board
Military draft, training
Wartime propaganda

12. Allied Advances in Europe (1943-1944)
January, 1943: Allies agree to fight until they win “unconditional surrender”
February 1943: SU takes back Stalingrad and moves westward
Same time, Allied victory in Tunisia secures Africa

13. Cont… July 10, 1943: The invasion of Italy.
Fighting continues from July 1943 to June 1944 (70,000 Allied troops killed)
Separate peace was signed with new Italian government in September, 1943

14. Unconditional Surrender in Europe (1944-1945)
Britain and U.S. air raid strategic sights in Germany (Flying Fortresses)
June 6, 1944: D-Day and the Allied invasion of Normandy
Battle at Normandy lasted from June 6-July 24
August 25, 1944: France liberated

15. Germany’s Last Gasp Effort
Hitler was caught between Allied troops coming from the West and Stalin’s forces coming from the East.
December 1944: Battle of the Bulge
April 25, 1945: Russia and Allied Forces meet at the Elbe River
May 8, 1945: Germany surrenders (V-E DAY)

16. YALTA CONFERENCE (February 1945)
Plans for German surrender
Stalin agrees to hold free elections and help with Japan
Broken promises, USSR’s position strengthened
Initiated Cold War
Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin

17. Allied Military Strategy in the Pacific (1941-1945)
By 1942, Japan had controlled almost the entire area of the Pacific
Allies were able to hold on to Hawaii and Samoa
“Active defense” campaign:
-Battle of the Coral Sea (May,1942)
-Battle of Midway (June, 1942)
-Battle of Guadalcanal (Aug Feb. 1943)

18. The Pacific Theatre Cont…
The Allies took control of several islands in the Pacific under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur
-Iwo Jima (1945)
-Okinawa (1945)
The recapture of the Philippines was the highlight (Oct March 1945)

19. “The Alternative to Surrender is Prompt and Utter Destruction”
August 6, 1945: Atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima (at least 75,000 killed)
August 9, 1945: Atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki

20. World War II- The Homefront
American industry key to victory
Built tanks, bombs, guns, ships, ammunition, etc.
War bonds (borrowed $$$ from Americans) raised about $50 billion for war effort
Women “filling in” for men off at war
Victory Gardens
“Rosie the Riveter” inspired many women to contribute

21. “The War is Over”
Japan surrenders to Allied Forces on the U.S. Missouri after the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki- August 14th– V-J Day

22. World suffered at least 60 million Over 25 million Russians alone died
THE COSTS OF THE WAR
U.S. lost over 300,000
World suffered at least 60 million
Over 25 million Russians alone died
Over 10 million in death camps
New fears arise after the war– fight to contain Communism– THE COLD WAR ERA!!