World War IIWorld War II

SidesSides

Axis Powers: Known as the Axis Powers: Known as the Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis, these Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis, these three powers tried to conquer three powers tried to conquer territory for themselves while territory for themselves while other powers were in decline.other powers were in decline.

GermanyGermany

After World War I, Germany fell into After World War I, Germany fell into economic problems that weakened economic problems that weakened the new democratic government.the new democratic government.

Former soldier, Adolf Hitler led the Former soldier, Adolf Hitler led the new National Socialist Party that new National Socialist Party that railed against the weakness of the railed against the weakness of the government and its many failures.government and its many failures.

GermanyGermany

In 1923, Hitler and the Nazis tried In 1923, Hitler and the Nazis tried a revolution against the a revolution against the government.government.When it failed, Hitler did 9 months When it failed, Hitler did 9 months in prison.in prison.Upon his release, he tried to gain Upon his release, he tried to gain power legally.power legally.

GermanyGermany

Hitler failed to gain power but his Hitler failed to gain power but his party won a majority of the party won a majority of the Reichstag.Reichstag.

Upon demand from the Nazis, Upon demand from the Nazis, German President von German President von Hindenburg named Hitler Hindenburg named Hitler Chancellor, Prime Minister.Chancellor, Prime Minister.

GermanyGermany

Upon, von Hindenburg’s death, Hitler Upon, von Hindenburg’s death, Hitler became the dictator of Germany.became the dictator of Germany.

Hitler began to oppress Jewish Hitler began to oppress Jewish citizens and other “undesirables”.citizens and other “undesirables”.

Hitler began to make plans to expand Hitler began to make plans to expand Germany and to return it to Germany and to return it to “greatness”.“greatness”.

Hitler HighlightsHitler Highlights

Burning of Reichstag: Shortly after Hitler Burning of Reichstag: Shortly after Hitler took power, the Reichstag building was took power, the Reichstag building was burned. Communists were blamed for a burned. Communists were blamed for a fire probably set by the Nazisfire probably set by the NazisEnabling Act: Fearing a Communist coup, Enabling Act: Fearing a Communist coup, the Reichstag voted to allow suspend the the Reichstag voted to allow suspend the Constitution and to allow the Chancellor Constitution and to allow the Chancellor (Hitler) to run the government alone for (Hitler) to run the government alone for four years (later indefinitely)four years (later indefinitely)

JapanJapan

After World War I, Japan initially After World War I, Japan initially enjoyed economic success.enjoyed economic success.However, during the Depression, However, during the Depression, the democratic government could the democratic government could not fix the economy.not fix the economy.So, the Japanese military seized So, the Japanese military seized control of the government.control of the government.

Japan’sJapan’sStrategic WeaknessStrategic Weakness

Upon their ascension to power, the Upon their ascension to power, the military sought to spread Japan into a military sought to spread Japan into a true empire.true empire.To do so, they needed access to To do so, they needed access to many natural resources. Something many natural resources. Something that their nation lacked.that their nation lacked.They made plans to seize areas of They made plans to seize areas of Asia where these resources could be Asia where these resources could be found.found.

ItalyItaly

After World War I, the Italian After World War I, the Italian monarchy was torn by rising monarchy was torn by rising threats from the Communist left threats from the Communist left and the Fascist right.and the Fascist right.

Former army officer Benito Former army officer Benito Mussolini founded the Italian Mussolini founded the Italian Fascist party in 1920.Fascist party in 1920.

ItalyItaly

In 1922, Mussolini performed his In 1922, Mussolini performed his March on Rome, where he and March on Rome, where he and thousands of his “Black Shirt” Fascist thousands of his “Black Shirt” Fascist supporters captured the Italian capital supporters captured the Italian capital to stop a fictitious Communist plot to to stop a fictitious Communist plot to overthrow the government.overthrow the government.Fearing the Communists, the king Fearing the Communists, the king named Mussolini as Prime Minister.named Mussolini as Prime Minister.

FascismFascism

A right-wing political A right-wing political philosophy based on philosophy based on order over libertyorder over libertyCelebrates militarismCelebrates militarismCelebrates obedience to Celebrates obedience to authorityauthorityCelebrates Private Celebrates Private PropertyPropertyHates democracyHates democracyHates CommunismHates CommunismHates SocialismHates Socialism

Fasces: Roman symbol Fasces: Roman symbol of power and statusof power and status

Allied PowersAllied Powers

Britain and France: Both nations, Britain and France: Both nations, weakened by World War I, tried to weakened by World War I, tried to rebuild their economies.rebuild their economies.The Great Depression hit both hard The Great Depression hit both hard and made them unable to challenge and made them unable to challenge the rise of Fascism in Europe.the rise of Fascism in Europe.They relied on the League of Nations They relied on the League of Nations to stop Hitler and it failed. to stop Hitler and it failed.

Soviet Union Soviet Union

Following the rise of the Following the rise of the Communist party in 1917, the Communist party in 1917, the USSR went through a bloody civil USSR went through a bloody civil war.war.

In 1923, Lenin died and Josef In 1923, Lenin died and Josef Stalin became the new leader of Stalin became the new leader of the USSR.the USSR.

USSRUSSR

Stalin was a paranoid who oppressed Stalin was a paranoid who oppressed and often killed anyone who was and often killed anyone who was perceived as a threat to his power.perceived as a threat to his power.He purged most of the best officers He purged most of the best officers and politicians out of his army and and politicians out of his army and government.government.By the late 1930s, the USSR was By the late 1930s, the USSR was weak from the removal of its best and weak from the removal of its best and brightest.brightest.

United StatesUnited States

After World War I, America had After World War I, America had receded into its safety behind its two receded into its safety behind its two oceans and went back to its own oceans and went back to its own business.business.During the 1930s, America’s During the 1930s, America’s economy kept its focus internal and it economy kept its focus internal and it was not a member of the League of was not a member of the League of Nations to do anything about the rise Nations to do anything about the rise of aggressive states in Europe.of aggressive states in Europe.

March to WarMarch to War

GermanyGermany

Rhineland: In 1936, Hitler seized Rhineland: In 1936, Hitler seized the DMZ as his first act of the DMZ as his first act of defiance. He challenged the defiance. He challenged the Allies to do something. They Allies to do something. They declined.declined.

AnschlussAnschluss

After the 1934 assassination of After the 1934 assassination of Austrian dictator Englebert Austrian dictator Englebert Dollfuss, the Nazis engineered a Dollfuss, the Nazis engineered a bloodless union with Austria bloodless union with Austria absorbing it into the Reich.absorbing it into the Reich.

CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

In 1938, Hitler put pressure on In 1938, Hitler put pressure on Czechoslovakia to give up the Czechoslovakia to give up the Sudetenland.Sudetenland.

The Sudetenland is the section that The Sudetenland is the section that juts into Germany and is mainly juts into Germany and is mainly populated with ethnic Germans.populated with ethnic Germans.

CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

When the Czechs refused, Hitler When the Czechs refused, Hitler threatened to take the area by threatened to take the area by force.force.

In an effort to avert war, the In an effort to avert war, the British and French PMs met with British and French PMs met with Hitler and Mussolini in Munich.Hitler and Mussolini in Munich.

MunichMunich

In the Munich Accord, Hitler agreed In the Munich Accord, Hitler agreed that the Sudetenland would be his that the Sudetenland would be his last territorial demand.last territorial demand.British PM Chamberlain declared that British PM Chamberlain declared that they had achieved “Peace in Our they had achieved “Peace in Our Time”.Time”.By the end of 1938, Hitler took the By the end of 1938, Hitler took the rest of Czechoslovakia.rest of Czechoslovakia.

PolandPoland

In 1939, Hitler demanded access to In 1939, Hitler demanded access to their separated lands in East Prussia their separated lands in East Prussia through Poland, including the port city through Poland, including the port city of Danzig.of Danzig.Stung by his lies from Munich, France Stung by his lies from Munich, France and Britain promised the Polish and Britain promised the Polish government that if they would assist government that if they would assist Poland if it were attacked.Poland if it were attacked.

Nonaggression PactNonaggression Pact

Given their reluctance to go to war, Hitler Given their reluctance to go to war, Hitler did not fear the Western Allies.did not fear the Western Allies.He was concerned about the USSR joining He was concerned about the USSR joining the war.the war.So, he signed a nonaggression pact with So, he signed a nonaggression pact with Stalin where each side promised not to Stalin where each side promised not to attack the other and to split Poland evenly attack the other and to split Poland evenly between them.between them.

PolandPoland

After dealing with the Soviets, After dealing with the Soviets, Germany invaded Poland on 1 Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.September 1939.

In response, Britain and France In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany.declared war on Germany.

JapanJapan

Launched wars of aggression to Launched wars of aggression to secure natural resources.secure natural resources.Manchuria in 1932Manchuria in 1932China in 1937China in 1937US opposition to Japanese US opposition to Japanese expansion fomented crisis with expansion fomented crisis with America.America.

Japan/US ConflictJapan/US Conflict

The United States objected to The United States objected to Japanese aggression in China.Japanese aggression in China.

They asked Japan to withdraw from They asked Japan to withdraw from China.China.

When Japan refused, the US cut When Japan refused, the US cut Japan off from vital military resources: Japan off from vital military resources: oil and scrap metal. oil and scrap metal.

SparksSparks

Europe: On September 1, 1939, Europe: On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland.Germany invaded Poland.Britain and France declared war on Britain and France declared war on Germany, but they could not save Germany, but they could not save Poland.Poland.USSR also invaded Poland from the USSR also invaded Poland from the East.East.Poland surrendered on September Poland surrendered on September 2020thth..

Pearl HarborPearl Harbor

On December 7On December 7thth, 1941, the , 1941, the Japanese fleet launched a surprise Japanese fleet launched a surprise attack on the US fleet in Hawaii.attack on the US fleet in Hawaii.They sunk several battleships and They sunk several battleships and killed 2,500 American troops.killed 2,500 American troops.The US declared war on Japan the The US declared war on Japan the next day, FDR decrying the “Day next day, FDR decrying the “Day which will live in infamy”.which will live in infamy”.

Early War in EuropeEarly War in Europe1939-19411939-1941

By December 1941, Hitler had overrun all By December 1941, Hitler had overrun all of Western and Southern Europe including of Western and Southern Europe including France, Holland, Belgium, Greece, France, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Norway.Yugoslavia, and Norway.

The Fall of Western EuropeThe Fall of Western Europe

On December 7, the Germans were On December 7, the Germans were stopped 3 miles short of Moscow in stopped 3 miles short of Moscow in Russia, their first land defeat of the war.Russia, their first land defeat of the war.

Early War in the PacificEarly War in the Pacific1941-19421941-1942

After their victory at Pearl Harbor, the After their victory at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese overran most of the Japanese overran most of the Western Pacific including Indochina, Western Pacific including Indochina, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Indonesia, and the Marianas.Indonesia, and the Marianas.The US rapidly sought to even the The US rapidly sought to even the odds with the Japanese and launched odds with the Japanese and launched their first counterstroke in May 1942 their first counterstroke in May 1942 with the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.with the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.

Turning PointsTurning PointsEuropeEurope

El Alamein: In 1942, Rommel’s Afrika El Alamein: In 1942, Rommel’s Afrika Korp was driving across Libya and Korp was driving across Libya and into Egypt.into Egypt.British General Bernard Montgomery British General Bernard Montgomery (Monty) stopped them, saving Egypt (Monty) stopped them, saving Egypt and the oil of the Middle East from the and the oil of the Middle East from the Germans.Germans.Battle of El AlameinBattle of El Alamein

StalingradStalingrad

In 1942, Germany was making a In 1942, Germany was making a bid for the oil fields of southern bid for the oil fields of southern Russia, and they needed to take Russia, and they needed to take the city of Stalingrad.the city of Stalingrad.

To do so, the Germans sent the To do so, the Germans sent the 66thth army with its 250,000 men, army with its 250,000 men, 500 tanks, and 1,000 planes.500 tanks, and 1,000 planes.

StalingradStalingrad

In the city, 55,000 defenders In the city, 55,000 defenders turned every building into a turned every building into a fortress.fortress.

While the Germans fought house While the Germans fought house to house, the Russians to house, the Russians assembled a 1 Million man army assembled a 1 Million man army east of the city.east of the city.

StalingradStalingrad

The Russians surrounded the city The Russians surrounded the city and cut off the Germans from and cut off the Germans from retreat.retreat.Russian CounterattackRussian CounterattackThe Germans surrendered their The Germans surrendered their entire force, their worst defeat of entire force, their worst defeat of the war.the war.

StalingradStalingrad

The largest battle in history The largest battle in history claimed:claimed:

1.5 million lives1.5 million lives

3,000 aircraft3,000 aircraft

3,500 tanks3,500 tanks

75,000 total vehicles75,000 total vehicles

Turning PointsTurning PointsThe PacificThe Pacific

Midway: In 1942, the Japanese Midway: In 1942, the Japanese fleet wanted to bring the US into fleet wanted to bring the US into decisive battle to finally destroy decisive battle to finally destroy the US carriers that it had failed to the US carriers that it had failed to destroy at Pearl Harbor.destroy at Pearl Harbor.

MidwayMidway

The US carriers were widely The US carriers were widely dispersed at the start of the battle.dispersed at the start of the battle.

The Japanese had completed an The Japanese had completed an attack on the American base at attack on the American base at Midway and were returning when Midway and were returning when the US carriers struck.the US carriers struck.

MidwayMidway

Planes from the American carriers Planes from the American carriers Hornet, Hornet, Enterprise, and YorktownEnterprise, and Yorktown savaged the savaged the Japanese carriers with bombs and Japanese carriers with bombs and torpedoes.torpedoes.In less than 20 minutes, the four Japanese In less than 20 minutes, the four Japanese carriers carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu were burning.were burning.Japanese planes that managed to sink the Japanese planes that managed to sink the Yorktown Yorktown in response.in response.The cream of Japan’s Navy was gone. The cream of Japan’s Navy was gone.

GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

Just after Midway, the US made Just after Midway, the US made its first offensive landing on an its first offensive landing on an island in the Pacific.island in the Pacific.

Guadalcanal in the Solomon Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands became the scene of the Islands became the scene of the first major land battle of the war in first major land battle of the war in the Pacificthe Pacific

GuadalcanalGuadalcanal

From August 1942 to February From August 1942 to February 1943, Japan tried everything to 1943, Japan tried everything to eject the US from the island.eject the US from the island.

Their defeat cost them 25,000 Their defeat cost them 25,000 dead and created an American dead and created an American foothold in the Pacific.foothold in the Pacific.

Allied AdvancesAllied AdvancesEuropeEurope

North Africa: Following El North Africa: Following El Alamein, a US/British force Alamein, a US/British force landed in Morocco and pushed landed in Morocco and pushed East while Monty pushed West.East while Monty pushed West.

The Germans were squeezed out The Germans were squeezed out of Africa by early 1943.of Africa by early 1943.

Sicily and ItalySicily and Italy

In 1943, the US and British invaded the In 1943, the US and British invaded the island of Sicily and the Italian peninsula.island of Sicily and the Italian peninsula.They were trying to open a second front in They were trying to open a second front in Europe to ease pressure on the USSR.Europe to ease pressure on the USSR.They Allies knocked Mussolini out of They Allies knocked Mussolini out of power and captured most of Italy by early power and captured most of Italy by early 1944.1944.Battle of Sicily and ItalyBattle of Sicily and Italy

D-DayD-Day

On June 6, 1944, 170,000 Allied troops On June 6, 1944, 170,000 Allied troops supported by 500 warships and 11,000 supported by 500 warships and 11,000 aircraft landed in France to open the long-aircraft landed in France to open the long-sought second front.sought second front.

Intense misdirection against the Germans Intense misdirection against the Germans had allowed the Allies to make the had allowed the Allies to make the landings a nearly complete surprise.landings a nearly complete surprise.

D-Day LandingsD-Day Landings

D-DayD-Day

After the landings on 5 beaches: After the landings on 5 beaches: Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword, the Allies broke out and swept Sword, the Allies broke out and swept across France.across France.Allied BreakoutAllied BreakoutThey liberated Paris by July and They liberated Paris by July and approached the German border from approached the German border from the West.the West.

Allied Advances Allied Advances PacificPacific

Island-Hopping: After the victory Island-Hopping: After the victory at Guadalcanal, the Allied moved at Guadalcanal, the Allied moved forward jumping from island to forward jumping from island to island.island.

They used Marine landings They used Marine landings supported by warships and carrier supported by warships and carrier aircraft.aircraft.

Island HoppingIsland Hopping

This flexibility allowed the Allies to cut This flexibility allowed the Allies to cut off Japanese retreats and bypass off Japanese retreats and bypass strong points to strike the most strong points to strike the most strategically important islands.strategically important islands.By mid 1945, they were approaching By mid 1945, they were approaching the Japanese home islands.the Japanese home islands.Major victories included Philippines, Major victories included Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

New AdvancesNew Advances

Blitzkrieg: Also known as “combined Blitzkrieg: Also known as “combined arms warfare” combined aircraft and arms warfare” combined aircraft and massed tank attacks for maximum massed tank attacks for maximum shock and speed.shock and speed.

Blitzkrieg TacticsBlitzkrieg Tactics

It is considered the model for modern It is considered the model for modern armored warfare.armored warfare.

Panzer DivisionsPanzer Divisions

Germany removed the tank from Germany removed the tank from simple infantry support simple infantry support They massed them into armored They massed them into armored formations (200 per division) formations (200 per division) supported by mechanized infantrysupported by mechanized infantryThey could drive fast and deep They could drive fast and deep into enemy territory.into enemy territory.

RADARRADAR

Radio beams used to locate and Radio beams used to locate and identify objects on the ground or in identify objects on the ground or in the air.the air.

Works with direct LOS using radio Works with direct LOS using radio reflection.reflection.

It was the key tool in the British It was the key tool in the British victory in the Battle of Britain in 1940.victory in the Battle of Britain in 1940.

SONARSONAR

Sound waves used to locate Sound waves used to locate objects underwaterobjects underwater

It uses echo-location to locate It uses echo-location to locate ships and submarines.ships and submarines.

It was a key tool used against It was a key tool used against German U-Boats in the Atlantic.German U-Boats in the Atlantic.

SONARSONAR

Ballistic MissilesBallistic Missiles

A German inventionA German inventionV-2 Rocket: One of V-2 Rocket: One of Hitler’s Vengeance Hitler’s Vengeance Weapons to win the Weapons to win the war.war.

This design was later This design was later adopted by the US adopted by the US and USSR for spaceand USSR for space launches and ICBMslaunches and ICBMs..

ICBMsICBMs

Russian SS-20American Pershing

Jet EnginesJet Engines

Even though several nations were Even though several nations were working on jets, Germany got there working on jets, Germany got there first with the Messerschmitt 262 (the first with the Messerschmitt 262 (the first jet fighter)first jet fighter)It was over 100 miles faster than the It was over 100 miles faster than the fastest Allied plane.fastest Allied plane.However, it did not enter service until However, it did not enter service until the end of the war.the end of the war.If it had come sooner…If it had come sooner…

Jet PlanesJet Planes

Me-262Me-262

Atomic BombAtomic Bomb

The most devastating The most devastating weapon known to weapon known to man.man.

It was used by the US It was used by the US to end the war.to end the war.

It would succeed in It would succeed in changing the world changing the world and the way of war.and the way of war.

Fat Man

Little Boy

End of the WarEnd of the WarEuropeEurope

Hitler and Berlin: As the Russians Hitler and Berlin: As the Russians advanced on Berlin, Hitler married advanced on Berlin, Hitler married his longtime girlfriend Eva Braun his longtime girlfriend Eva Braun in the late hours of April 30, 1945.in the late hours of April 30, 1945.Later he killed himself.Later he killed himself.Germany surrendered on May 7.Germany surrendered on May 7.

HolocaustHolocaust

6 Million Jews and 4 Million other 6 Million Jews and 4 Million other “undesirables” were exterminated “undesirables” were exterminated by the Nazisby the NazisPeople who did not fit the Nazi People who did not fit the Nazi vision of the “Master Race” were vision of the “Master Race” were targeted for destruction.targeted for destruction.Hitler’s Final SolutionHitler’s Final Solution

NurembergNuremberg

The top Nazis were put on The top Nazis were put on trial.trial.It had never been done It had never been done before.before.They were charged with They were charged with Crimes Against Humanity.Crimes Against Humanity.It is still used today in the It is still used today in the ICC.ICC.The German defense was The German defense was that they were following that they were following orders.orders.It didn’t save them from It didn’t save them from justice.justice.

Sectioning of GermanySectioning of Germany

To prevent a German rise to power To prevent a German rise to power again, Germany was divided into four again, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by the US, USSR, zones controlled by the US, USSR, Britain, and France.Britain, and France.The Western three zones were joined The Western three zones were joined into West Germany.into West Germany.MapMapBerlin was divided into similar zones.Berlin was divided into similar zones.

Hiroshima and NagasakiHiroshima and Nagasaki

These two cities were destroyed These two cities were destroyed by atomic bombs.by atomic bombs.210,000 Japanese citizens were 210,000 Japanese citizens were killed.killed.They were used to end the war They were used to end the war quickly and to avoid a US quickly and to avoid a US invasion of the Home Islands.invasion of the Home Islands.

HiroshimaHiroshimaBefore and AfterBefore and After

Japanese SurrenderJapanese Surrender

On September 2, 1945, Japan On September 2, 1945, Japan surrendered to the US.surrendered to the US.

Almost 6 years to the day, WWII Almost 6 years to the day, WWII was over.was over.

Worldwide, 70 Million people had Worldwide, 70 Million people had died.died.

War Crimes TrialWar Crimes Trial

Just as the leaders of Just as the leaders of Germany, the Germany, the Japanese leaders Japanese leaders were put on trial for were put on trial for war crimes.war crimes.

Japanese leader Japanese leader Hideki Tojo was Hideki Tojo was executed for his executed for his crimes.crimes.