World War II
1939-1945
Axis Powers
Germany-Adolf Hitler
NAZI Party-Able to rise to power because of the
harsh treatment of Germany in the Treaty of
Versailles and the economic problems in Germany
Italy-Benito Mussolini
Fascist party dictator in Italy. Believed to be the soft
underbelly of the Axis Powers
Japan-Hideki Tojo
Invaded China. Believed in militarism-an extreme
form of nationalism
VS.
Leading up to war
Nationalism on the rise in Europe-loyalty to one’s country about all
The Treaty of Versailles caused anger and resentment instead of
peace. Caused economic hardships in Germany-rise of Nazism
The League of Nations was too weak
Hitler’s Territorial GainsMarch 1938-Austria falls in 1 day
September 1938- Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia
Munich Agreement and the Policy of Appeasement- British and
French leaders gave the Sudetenland to Hitler through the policy
of appeasement (giving in to pacify an aggressor) in return for
Hitler's promise that he would seek no more territory
March 1939-All of Czechoslovakia
World War II Begins: September 1, 1939 when Hitler invades Poland
with Blitzkrieg (lightning) warfare. Great Britain and France declare
war on Germany.
April 1940-Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and
Luxembourg
June 1940-France surrenders
Allied Powers
Great Britain- Neville Chamberlain/Winston Churchill
France-Charles de Gaulle
Russia-Joseph Stalin-“Man of Steel” Communist
leader. Stalin & Hitler publicly sign a Nonaggression
Pact” (committed to never attack each other).
Hitler goes back on the agreement in 1941 and
Russia joins the Allied Powers
United States-Franklin D. Roosevelt/Harry S. TrumanFDR wins 3rd term in 1940 and 4th in 1944. FDR dies in
office (April 1945) and Truman becomes President
Holocaust
Genocide of Jewish People
Final Solution-The massacre of Jewish People
4.8 – 5.8 million Jews were killed during WWII by the
Nazis
US Involvement
After World War I the US returned to our traditional policy of isolationism and
neutrality (1940)
Industrial production of military supplies needed because of WWII finally ended
the Great Depression.
With new technology the United States was not as geographically isolated from
the fighting
German U-Boats causing havoc in the Atlantic. FDR-can shoot on sight
Lend-lease Act: (1940) FDR would lend/lease arms to “any country whose
defense was vital to the US, Great Britain, and Russia. Become an arsenal of
democracy. Supply weapons to countries that are fighting the axis powers
“The people of Europe who are defending themselves do not ask us to do their
fighting. They ask us for the implements of war…which will enable them to fight
for their liberty and for our security.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1940
Opposing political systems-democracy vs. totalitarianism
Pearl Harbor-December 7, 1941. Japanese sneak attack on the US Fleet in Pearl
Harbor (Honolulu) FDR
“A date which will live in infamy”
Why? U.S. trade restrictions had caused a shortage of rubber, oil, and gas.
Effects of Pearl Harbor: US Declares war on Japan; distrust of Japanese
Americans living in the US.
The Greatest Collaboration in Military History
“Europe First”: strike Hitler first (Italy and Germany) because more of threat
Wait to attack Japan until Allies have Europe under control
War in Europe
Battle of Stalingrad- Considered the first real turning point in the War
Crushing defeat for Hitler, a once invincible army is now in retreat on the Eastern Front
From this point on, Soviets begin marching towards Germany
Invasion of Normandy France (D-Day/Operation Overlord) - June 6, 1944 open another allied front in Europe. Stalin
wanted a second front to divert some of the German Troops away from Russia. 3 million US/British/Canadian troops –
largest land-sea-air operation in army history
General Dwight Eisenhower-Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe/Organized D-Day invasion
Omar Bradley- Commanded Normandy France Invasion (D-Day) Omaha Beach
General George Patton- Led US troops that liberated Paris from German occupation (Tank Expert)/also led troops in North
Africa
Vernon Baker-African American Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Baker, one of the most decorated black soldiers
in the Mediterranean Theater, earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross, and the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
Tuskegee Airmen-Americas first African American Air Unit honored for skill and bravery. Increased support to desegregate
the armed forces.
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) - May 8, 1945 – Eisenhower accepts German surrender
War at home
Increased patriotism and volunteerism
Selective Training and Service Act-US’ first peace time draft.
Required all men between the ages of 21-35 to register (16
million)
War Production Board-factories converted to war production
Rationing-used to conserve crucial supplies at home during
the war effort. Coupons were issued to each family based on
its size for items such as coffee, gas, sugar, meat, shoes, etc.
Victory Gardens- home gardens helped make sure there
was adequate food for both troops and civilians.
Encouraged rationing.
Office of War Information (OWI) - 1942 control of war
messages. Production of propaganda
War Bonds- To help pay for the war, the government issued
War Bonds and encouraged citizens to buy them
Office of Scientific Research & Development (OSRD)Mobilization of Scientists- inventions:
Sonar/Radar/DDT/Penicillin. Began work on the Manhattan
Project (Atomic Bomb Project) code name for the Atomic
Bomb Project. Trying to gain strategic advantage over
enemies
Women and Minorities -could contribute to the war effort by
getting jobs to help maintain the industrial production levels.
Women’s Army Corps (WAC)-received full Army
benefits/worked non- combat
Japanese Americans
Executive Order 9066- February 1942 permitting military
commanders to require Japanese Americans to relocate
to interior internment camps away from coastal regions
Took away Japanese American constitutional rights.
4th Amendment-to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures.
5th Amendment-The government may not deprive and
person of life, liberty, or property without due process of
law.
Korematsu vs. The United States-(1944) Supreme Court
decided that the government’s policy of evacuating
Japanese Americans to camps was justified on the basis
of “military necessity”
War vs. Japan
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!
Bataan Death March (May 1942)-forced march to a prison camp (Philippines) 76,000
Americans and Filipinos taken as POWs forced to march 61 miles to prison camp. 5,0007000 died before they reached Camp O’Donnell
Battle of Midway (June 1942)- U.S. victory at Midway is the real turning point of the war in
the Pacific. American cryptanalysists at Pearl Harbor intercept and decode Japanese
radio messages revealing Japan’s plan.
Island Hopping Campaign- capture lightly-defended islands throughout the Pacific, one by
one, “HOPPING” their way towards Japan
Battle of Iwo Jima & Battle of Okinawa-Islands close to the Japanese mainland. Battles
continued to get deadlier as we approached Japan.
Admiral Chester Nimitz- Supreme commander of the Allied forces in the pacific
General Douglass MacArthur-Commander of American Forces in the Philippines during the
Island Hopping Campaign
Navajo Code Talkers- Native American Marines; send messages in their native language;
virtually unbreakable code to ensure security in communication.
The Flying Tigers- "Special Air Unit “for service in China. American Volunteer Group (AVG),
American aircraft, aviators, and technicians from the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines
August 1945-Harry Truman decides to drop Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and
Nagasaki (August 9, 1945). He desired to end the war and save American lives. Ended
WWII
Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day) - August 15, 1945– Formal surrender takes place on the
battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Harbor
Important Dates
Hitler invades Poland and World War II Starts
United States declares Neutrality
Lend Lease Act
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) and the U.S. joins WWII
Bataan Death March
Office of War Information is created (OWI)
Executive Order # 9066
Battle of Midway (Germany weakened, U.S. on the offensive)
D-Day
U.S. Supreme Court Case… Korematsu vs. the United States
FDR dies and President Truman takes over
“Victory in Europe” Day (V-E Day)
Atomic bomb on Hiroshima
Atomic bomb on Nagasaki
“Victory in Japan” Day (V-J Day)