2. Axis Aggression Preview Starting Points Map: Europe, 1930s
Main Idea / Reading Focus
Germany Expands
Map: Axis Advances
Alliances and Civil War

3. Axis Aggression Preview, continued The War Begins
Faces of History: Winston Churchill
Japan Attacks

4. Axis Aggression Main Idea Reading Focus
In the late 1930s Germany, Italy, and Japan used military force to build empires. Their aggressive actions led to the outbreak of World War II.
Reading Focus
In what ways did Germany expand in the late 1930s?
What alliances did Axis nations make in the 1930s?
How did the war begin?
What were the causes and effects of Japan’s attack on the United States?

5. World War II and Its Aftermath
Section 2: The Axis Advances
Witness History Audio: Janina’s War Story
The Axis Advances
Nazi Germany invaded Poland from one side, while the Soviets came from the other. France and Britain had no time to help. Then Germany attacked France from the north, and Italy invaded from the south. When France fell, only Britain stood against the Axis powers. A Nazi bombing campaign against London and other cities only strengthened British resolve. Meanwhile, Axis armies also pushed into North Africa and the Balkans.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?” (Sample: loud, destructive, confusing, horrifying) “How do you predict airplanes might be used in World War II?” (Sample: for bombing, transportation, reconnaissance)
When showing Color Transparency 175, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Witness History Audio: Winston Churchill
Witness History Audio: Surviving the Blitz
Note Taking Transparency 172A
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6. 1940–1941 Attack on France Battle for Britain
Denmark and Norway captured; the Netherlands and Belgium followed
Tank attack through Ardennes; overwhelmed light resistance there
Heroic Dunkirk rescue; France surrendered in June 1940
Battle for Britain
Great Britain stood alone against German war machine; Churchill now leader
Radar technology secret weapon for air defense
British stood firm during Battle of Britain; Hitler called off invasion plans

21. World War II and Its Aftermath
Section 2: The Axis Advances
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 in the hopes of gaining its natural resources and putting down communism. Hitler’s advance was stalled by the brutal Russian winter, but Russians in Leningrad suffered a two-and-a-half-year siege that caused mass starvation.
Life Under Japanese and Nazi Occupation
The people who lived in lands occupied by the Nazis and the Japanese were often offered brutal treatment. Hitler’s forces sent Polish and Soviet Slavs to work as slave laborers and the Jewish people got the same and worse in Nazi “death camps.” The Japanese killed and tortured Asians whom they claimed to help free from Western colonial rule.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?” (Sample: loud, destructive, confusing, horrifying) “How do you predict airplanes might be used in World War II?” (Sample: for bombing, transportation, reconnaissance)
When showing Color Transparency 175, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
Note Taking Transparency 172B
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22. Invasion of the Soviet Union
June 1941, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union had initial successes
Major goals of Leningrad and Moscow not reached before harsh Soviet winter
Soviet armies had time to rebuild and would fight back

26. Life in Japan Social Changes Fashions, beliefs
Rapid shift from feudal agricultural nation to urban industrial country affected more than economy
Universal education, new Western ideas also led to societal changes
Democracy began to flourish, political parties emerged
Fashions, beliefs
Some young people adopted Western fashions, beliefs, questioned traditional Japanese values
Conservative Japanese, military leaders, resented changes
Believed straying from traditional beliefs, interests had corrupted country

27. Japanese Aggression End of 1920s Modern Warfare
Japan’s military gained power
Widened the gap between the military and civilian government
Without civilian controls, military became more aggressive
Modern Warfare
World War I showed modern war would rely on technology, industrial power
Japan could not compete with large industrial nations
Building a Fighting Spirit
To make up for industrial limitations, focused on soldiers
Began to promote fighting spirit of Japanese troops instead of modern weaponry
Inspiring a Fighting Spirit
Surrender, retreat, defense all removed from military manuals
Military personnel placed in public schools to shape thinking of Japanese children

28. Japanese Aggression Forming New Alliances Anti-Comintern Pact
League of Nations condemned aggressive actions in Manchuria
Japan withdrew from League of Nations, 1933
Announced it would no longer limit size of navy, 1934
Made break with West, drew closer to Germany
Anti-Comintern Pact signed, 1936
Japan, Germany agreed to work together to oppose spread of communism
Each promised to come to aid of other in case of Soviet Union attack
Italy joined pact, 1937
Anti-Comintern Pact
Conflict between China, Japan grew worse
Japan more aggressive, seized more territory
Some worried Chinese Communists, Guomindang might join Soviet Union opposing Japan
War in China

30. World War II and Its Aftermath: Section 2
Note Taking Transparency 172B
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31. World War II and Its Aftermath
Section 2: The Axis Advances
Japan Attacks the United States
When the U.S. banned the sale of war materials to Japan after its invasion of French Indochina, Japan and the U.S. participated in fruitless talks. Japanese General Tojo ordered an attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This led to a declaration of war by the U.S.
Color Transparency 175: Pearl Harbor
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Janina describe the German attack on Poland?” (Sample: loud, destructive, confusing, horrifying) “How do you predict airplanes might be used in World War II?” (Sample: for bombing, transportation, reconnaissance)
When showing Color Transparency 175, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide a discussion.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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32. Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor Two-hour attack
Japan’s alliance with Germany was seen as a sign of a war plan. Japan sent forces to Indochina to secure necessary resources of oil and rubber. Hideki Tojo held peace talks with the U.S. but planned for war.
Surprise attack on U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet
December 7, 1941
Fighters and bombers launched from carriers
Raid a success
Pearl Harbor
Major destruction
Heavy casualties
2,400 dead
200 planes gone
Eight battleships sunk
Three carriers survived
Two-hour attack

38. World War II and Its Aftermath: Section 2
Color Transparency 175: Pearl Harbor
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39. Isolationism Attack had profound effect
Ended desire to stay out of Europe’s war
War declared on Japan
Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.
Allies vs. Axis

40. Why did Japan attack the United States?
Find the Main Idea
Why did Japan attack the United States?
Answer(s): American leaders banned the sale of oil to Japan, which threatened Japan's future plans in French Indochina.

41. World War II and Its Aftermath: Section 2
Note Taking Transparency 172A
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42. World War II and Its Aftermath: Section 2
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43. World War II and Its Aftermath: Section 2
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