2. Learner Expectation
Standard
SS5H6 The student will explain the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II.

3. In this activity you will:
Learn how and why the World War II began.
Famous leaders that contributed to the start of the war
When the United States entered the war
How it effected the people

4. The Rise of Dictators Rise of Fascism led to a rise in dictators.
Five countries were still led by dictators after WWI.
1. Nazi Germany-Adolf Hitler
2. Italy-Benito Mussolini
3. Japan-Emperor Hirohito (alongside his Prime Ministers, Hideki Tojo and Fumimaro Konoe
4. Soviet Union-Joseph Stalin
5. Spain-General Francisco Franco

5. The Rise of Dictators
Hitler did not think Germany had been treated fairly after WWI ended.
He blamed Germany’s Jewish people for the country’s problems.
By 1932, Hitler led the National Socialist party, or Nazis.
1933 Hitler becomes Germany’s chancellor, prime minister.
Hitler took away German citizen’s rights to vote and outlawed all political parties except the Nazi party.
His secret army, storm troopers, arrested anyone that disagreed with Hitler and put them in concentration camps.

6. The Conflict Begins
Italy’s dictator, Mussolini, wanted the nation to get back power.
In Spain, Franco set up dictatorship with Hitler and Mussolini’s help.
In Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin took control as a dictator. He believed in Communism.
In 1920s & 1930s, Communists were fighting to take over the nation. Japan made use of China’s troubles and took over most much of eastern China by 1938.
Italy took over Ethiopia and invaded Albania.
Germany marched into Austria and quickly took over.

7. Why does the war begin? When did the World War II begin?
September 1, German and Soviet soldiers invaded and took over Poland.
Why?
Three Countries: Japan, Italy, and Germany started taking over other countries.
Britain and France, Poland’s Allies, were tired of the takeovers and declared war on Germany.
Axis Powers: Japan, Italy, and Germany
Allied Powers: Britain, France, and U.S.

8. War in Europe and Asia
Germany conquered Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
Germany tried to conquer Britain.
Japan took over French Indochina, (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos).

9. Why does the United States get involved?
The United States was hesitant to get involved because they believed that Europe should handle its own problems.
Lend-Lease Act – It provided a way for the U.S. to give aid to Britain during WWII.
U.S. placed a ban on resources to Japan.
December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. * This harbor was a base used by the Navy and had about 130 ships.
Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war.
Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.
Congress declared war on Germany and Italy.

10. Americans at War The war led to the production of: * Airplanes * tanks
* other war supplies
The U.S. had to make rubber since ties with Japan were cut.
The government took control of businesses and stopped the production of many consumer goods to produce enough war supplies.

11. Women and the War
Women carried out many of the same duties they had during World War I.
This time they took on even more responsibilities such as:
Serving in the armed forces
Making maps
Flying more planes to airfields in Europe and the Pacific
Rosina Bonavita and a partner welded 3,345 rivets in place and put together one wing of a bomber in one day. “Rosie the Riveter”

12. The Federal Government
Gained more power over the people
Took control of businesses
Setting prices
Wages
Due to a great need for supplies overseas many supplies had to be rationed in the U.S. Rationed butter, sugar, coffee, meat and gas.
Americans had higher taxes and bought war bonds to pay for the war. After the American returned the bond, they would receive payment and interest.

13. D-Day
June 6, 1944, would be known as D-Day. The Allies attacked Germans at Normandy and broke through their lines.
After D day, one by one, countries Germany had conquered were freed as the Allied Powers forced Germans out.
Axis Powers: Mussolini was captured and killed, Hitler killed himself.

14. Iowa Jima/Okinawa and The Atom Bomb
Battles for the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa followed the victory in the Philippines. In both cases, the Allies won.
Einstein warned Roosevelt of Germany’s plans to build a new kind of bomb.
Roosevelt created The Manhattan project and the Atom bomb was tested in Mexico Desert.
July 26, 1945, Allies ask Japan to surrender.
August 6, 1945, Truman sent the the Atom Bomb to Hiroshima.
Japan still did not surrender.
August 9, 1945, Truman sent a second Atom Bomb to Nagasaki.
August 15, 1945 became known as V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day.

15. United Nations
April 1945, 50 country delegates met in San Francisco, CA to create the UN, United Nations. The UN is to keep world peace and promote cooperation among nations.