World War IIWorld War II

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The Road to WarThe Road to War By the end of 1941, 29 countries had already By the end of 1941, 29 countries had already

declared their support for the declared their support for the AlliesAllies – the – the United Stated, Great Britain, France, and the United Stated, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

The The Axis PowersAxis Powers – Germany, Italy, and Japan – Germany, Italy, and Japan – were supported by seven other countries. – were supported by seven other countries.

The events leading to World War II began in the The events leading to World War II began in the 1920’s. 1920’s.

Several dictators seized power by playing on the Several dictators seized power by playing on the fear and anger people felt after WWI and the fear and anger people felt after WWI and the depression.depression.

The Road to WarThe Road to War The first dictator to take power was The first dictator to take power was Benito Benito

MussoliniMussolini in Italy. in Italy. In Germany, many people rallied around In Germany, many people rallied around Adolf Adolf

HitlerHitler – leader of the National Socialist – leader of the National Socialist Worker’s Party, or Worker’s Party, or NaziNazi Party. Party.

The Depression also brought military leaders The Depression also brought military leaders to power in Japan.to power in Japan.

In September of 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. In September of 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. 2 days later, Britain and France declared war 2 days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany.on Germany.

Japan Attacks Pearl HarborJapan Attacks Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt promised to remain neutral, but President Roosevelt promised to remain neutral, but

provided Britain and the Soviet Union with provided Britain and the Soviet Union with weapons.weapons.

Japanese troops seized France’s colony of Japanese troops seized France’s colony of Indochina. The U.S. tried to stop Japan by applying Indochina. The U.S. tried to stop Japan by applying economic pressure.economic pressure.

Desperate for resources, the Japanese government Desperate for resources, the Japanese government began planning an attack on the United States.began planning an attack on the United States.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked the American naval base at the American naval base at Pearl HarborPearl Harbor, Hawaii., Hawaii.

3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the 3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. who joined the Allies.U.S. who joined the Allies.

On the Home FrontOn the Home Front Out of the war came new technology, a new Out of the war came new technology, a new

prosperity, and a new sense of power and strength.prosperity, and a new sense of power and strength. During the war, industry expanded rapidly.During the war, industry expanded rapidly. Incomes rose and unemployment fell.Incomes rose and unemployment fell. Far more women than ever before entered the work Far more women than ever before entered the work

force.force. The war also created new opportunities for African The war also created new opportunities for African

Americans.Americans. Japanese Americans experienced discrimination Japanese Americans experienced discrimination

after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Worried about their after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Worried about their loyalty, the government forced Japanese Americans loyalty, the government forced Japanese Americans on the West Coast to relocate to on the West Coast to relocate to internment campsinternment camps..

D-DayD-Day The Allies were planning a massive invasion of The Allies were planning a massive invasion of

France from the West, known as France from the West, known as Operation Operation OverlordOverlord..

On June 6, 1944 – On June 6, 1944 – D-DayD-Day – Allied ships landed – Allied ships landed thousands of troops on the coast of Normandy.thousands of troops on the coast of Normandy.

After wading ashore the troops faced land mines and After wading ashore the troops faced land mines and fierce fire from the Germans.fierce fire from the Germans.

From Normandy, the Allies pushed across France.From Normandy, the Allies pushed across France. On August 25, French and American soldiers On August 25, French and American soldiers

marched through joyful crowds and liberated Paris.marched through joyful crowds and liberated Paris.

Victory in EuropeVictory in Europe In December 1944, the Germans mounted a last In December 1944, the Germans mounted a last

desperate offensive.desperate offensive. In the Battle of the Bulge the Germans at first drove In the Battle of the Bulge the Germans at first drove

troops and artillery deep into a bulge in the Allied troops and artillery deep into a bulge in the Allied lines. lines.

After several weeks the Allies pushed the Germans After several weeks the Allies pushed the Germans back.back.

The battle marked the end of serious German The battle marked the end of serious German resistance.resistance.

On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide.On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. One week later, Germany surrendered.One week later, Germany surrendered. 3 weeks earlier, President Roosevelt had died.3 weeks earlier, President Roosevelt had died.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust As the Allies liberated Germany they As the Allies liberated Germany they

found horrifying evidence of Nazi found horrifying evidence of Nazi brutality.brutality.

The Nazis hated Jews and committed The Nazis hated Jews and committed genocidegenocide – the killing of an entire group of – the killing of an entire group of people.people.

The built death camps where they killed The built death camps where they killed thousands of Jews everyday in gas chambers.thousands of Jews everyday in gas chambers.

As many as 6 million Jews died in what became As many as 6 million Jews died in what became known as the known as the HolocaustHolocaust..

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific The U.S. adopted a strategy known as The U.S. adopted a strategy known as island island

hoppinghopping – seizing an island and using it as a base to – seizing an island and using it as a base to attack the next island. attack the next island.

In March 1945 they seized the island of In March 1945 they seized the island of Iwo JimaIwo Jima and in June the island of and in June the island of OkinawaOkinawa, the last stop , the last stop before invading Japan itself.before invading Japan itself.

Before the invasion, the U.S. decided to use a new Before the invasion, the U.S. decided to use a new weapon – the weapon – the atomic bombatomic bomb..

President Truman demanded that Japan surrender. President Truman demanded that Japan surrender. He ordered the use of the bomb when Japan refused.He ordered the use of the bomb when Japan refused.

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs in The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs in

August 1945.August 1945. The first destroyed the city of The first destroyed the city of HiroshimaHiroshima.. The second destroyed the city of The second destroyed the city of

NagasakiNagasaki.. After the bombings, Japan agreed to After the bombings, Japan agreed to

surrender.surrender. August 15 – August 15 – V-J DayV-J Day, for “Victory over , for “Victory over

Japan” – marked the end of World War II.Japan” – marked the end of World War II.