1. How World War II Started
No Nation Untouched

2. The Rise of Fascism
Fascism: Philosophy of placing importance of the nation above the individual
Italy and Germany embraced this philosophy by the need of rebuilding strength.
Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler
Totalitarian leaders: use of terror to suppress individuals and opposition

3. Leadership Mussolini: Il Duce “The Leader”
Suspended elections, outlawed other political parties and established dictatorship
Followed motto: “The Country is Nothing Without Conquest” by invading Ethiopia in October 1935.

4. Leadership
Hitler:
Joined National Socialist German Workers’ party in 1919 (also known as the ______ party)
Powerful speaking ability made him a leader
While in jail for political uprising, wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and outlined Nazi party views and German problems (Jews).
Soon after became Der Fuhrer or “The Leader” by winning election and eliminating opposition

5. Roosevelt on Hitler
“Remember the Nazi technique: ‘ Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer!’ We must not let that happen here.” “We must be particularly vigilant against racial discrimination in any of its ugly forms. Hitler will try again to breed mistrust and suspicion between one individual and another, one group and another, one race and another.” -State of the Union Address 1942

6. Europe in War Mussolini and Hitler make alliance in 1936
Both men wanted to push their views and powers across Europe
Germany, Italy and later joined by Japan became known as the “Axis Powers”
Germany began taking countries by force including Austria and Czechoslovakia

7. Europe in War
After Germany threatened Poland, France and Britain declared war.
Germany quickly seized Poland with a military method called blitzkrieg or lightning war.
Blitzkrieg: Quick air strikes, tanks and artillery to overpower larger militias; in this case Poland.

8. Nazis Advance Further
The advancing German captured many countries in three-month period:
Denmark
Norway
Belgium
Netherlands
France (May 10 – June 14)

9. Battle of Britain Nazis next target was Britain
From December 1940 – June 1941, Nazis launched the greatest air assault in history to date.
1,000 planes a day bombed Britain
Hitler finally decided to end bombing and Britain used this as a spirit of defiance.

10. Japan’s Emerging Empire
Depression also hit Japan hard economically
Japan saw how Germany and Italy were expanding control in its region and wanted much the same in Asia
Islands that were colonies of Europeans were easy targets
FDR angered by these efforts began imposing trade sanctions

11. American Involvement
Isolationism: America would stay out of other nations’ quarrels
FDR however saw that war was probably unavoidable and started to help other countries
Lend-Lease Act (March 1941): Aid any nation whose defense was believed to be vital to American security – “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”