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. 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

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.”