1. Road to World War II

2. The Rise of Dictators
During the 1920s and 1930s totalitarian dictators came to power in many nations.
Japan
Italy
Germany
Soviet Union
Emperor Hirohito
Prime Minister Tojo
Benito Mussolini
Adolph Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Militarism
Fascism
Nazism
Communism

3. Invasions and Reactions
As the dictators began to take over other countries, the United States tried to remain neutral.

4. 1931 Japan invaded and took over Manchuria in China
United States issued the “Stimson Doctrine” – refused to recognize territories acquired by force
Put an embargo on exports of oil and steel to Japan

5. 1935 Italy invaded and took over Ethiopia
United States ignored the invasion

6. 1936
Germany put troops in the Rhineland (violating the Treaty of Versailles)
United States ignored the violation and began to pass the “Neutrality Acts” to keep out of any future war.

7. 1938 Germany annexed Austria
Most of Austria’s people favored unification
France and Britain adopted policy of Appeasement, which is giving up principle to pacify an aggressor.

8. 1939
Germany and the Soviet Union sign a pact promising not to attack each other. (Non-Aggression Pact)
United States announced neutrality
Germany and the Soviet Union both invade Poland, World War II Begins.
Germany introduces “blitzkrieg” (lightning war)

9. 1940 Germany takes over France and Most of Europe
United States gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean
Germany bombards Great Britain (the Battle of Britain)
Battle of Britain: nightly bombings of London, many civilians killed

10. 1941 Germany, Italy and Japan signed a treaty of alliance
United States “loans” war materials to Great Britain under the Lend-Lease Act
Germany invades the Soviet Union
US extends Lend- Lease to Soviets

11. 1941
December 7th, 1941, Japan launches a surprise attack on the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
Roosevelt called it “a day that will live in infamy”
US declares war on Japan

12. 1941 Germany and Italy declare war on the United States
The United States joins World War II