1. Aggressors on the March
Steps Leading to
World War II

2. The Leaders
of WWII

3. The Axis Powers “Axis” of Evil Adolf Hitler of Germany Benito
Mussolini
of Italy
“Axis”
of Evil
Emperor Hirohito &
Commander Tojo of Japan

4. Italy Germany Japan is over there in Asia

5. The Allied Powers Franklin Roosevelt of U.S.A. Winston Churchill of
Great Britain
Charles DeGualle of France
Chiang
Kai-Shek of
China
Josef Stalin of
USSR

6. USSR France Great Britain China is this way The U.S. is over yonder

7. Germany, Italy & Japan build up their militaries
The 1st Step to War…
Germany, Italy & Japan build up their militaries
Allied Response…
NOTHING

8. The 2nd Step to War…
In 1935, Italy attacks Ethiopia for its oil reserves.
Allied Response…
League of Nations branded Italy an
aggressor & voted minor
sanctions against them. They ignored
the sanctions and the League did…
NOTHING

10. The 3rd Step to War…
In 1936, Germany & Italy officially form the Axis Powers.
Allied Response…
The U.S. passes Neutrality Act : wouldn’t allow the sale of arms to any country engaged in war and
Roosevelt starts checking out Europe’s militaries.

11. The 4th Step to War… Allied Response… NOTHING!
In 1936, Hitler takes the Rhineland which breaks the Treaty of Versailles!!
Allied Response…
NOTHING!

13. (Japan is NOT happy with us!)
The 5th Step to War…
In 1937, Japan opened a full scale war against China in order to get resources so Japan could grow economically.
Allied Response…
The US Neutrality Act continues; By 1940, U.S. stops selling iron & steel to Japan.
(Japan is NOT happy with us!)

15. The 6th Step to War… Allied Response: NOTHING!!
In 1938, Hitler begins the purge of all Jews. German citizens torched Jewish homes, businesses, etc. They called it “Kristallnacht” or “Night of Broken Glass”.
Allied Response:
NOTHING!!

16. Total Number of European Jews in 1933: 9,500,000

17. The 7th Step to War…
In 1938, Germany forces the Austrian government to resign, called the Anschluss (the Austrian Nazi Party controlled Parliament so they wanted Hitler to take over)
Allied Response…
NOTHING!!

19. The 8th Step to War…
In 1938, Hitler demands the Sudetenland (the western half
of Czechoslovakia).
Allied Response…
Munich Conference
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain agreed to allow this annexation (appeasement)
to preserve “peace in our time.”

20. Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later
The 9th Step to War…
Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later
Allied Response…
NOTHING!!

22. Hitler’s real reason – He did not want to fight a war on two fronts.
The 10th Step to War…
(1939) Germany & USSR promise to not fight each other and [secretly] divide up Poland sign the Non-Aggression Pact.
Hitler’s real reason – He did not want to fight a war on two fronts.
Allied Response…
NOTHING!!

24. No longer fearing a war on two fronts, Hitler invades Poland.
The last Step to War…
No longer fearing a war on two fronts, Hitler invades Poland.
Allied Response…
WAR!
Britain & France honor their guarantee to Poland and declare war on Germany.

25. WORLD WAR II !!