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STEPS TO WAR. By the 1930’s Dictators or absolute rulers, had seized control in many countries. --The Raise to power was due largely in part to economic and political factors that dated back to WWI. The Rise of Dictators.
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STEPS TO WAR By the 1930’s Dictators or absolute rulers, had seized control in many countries. --The Raise to power was due largely in part to economic and political factors that dated back to WWI. The Rise of Dictators • Mussolini- Leader of Italy, (Il Duce). Practiced Fascism- Preached an extreme form of patriotism and nationalism that was often linked to Racism. • 2. Hitler-Was voted into power as the leader of the new Nazi Party, then overthrew the constitution (very inspirational speaker and convincing Leader). • Nazi Party-Gained power by preaching German Racial • Superiority. Promised to avenge defeat of WWI. • 3. Stalin-Joseph Stalin was Vladimir Lenin’s successor in Russia. He tried to control every aspect of life in the nation Crushed opposition.
Dictators Seek to Expand Territories Japan’s Military pushed the island nation to grab more land and resources (attacked and conquered Manchuria). Both Italy and Germany sought new territory Italy attacked Ethiopia. In 1936 Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland along the French Boarder, This was Prohibited in the Versailles Treaty, yet it was allowed, He then invaded Austria.
Appeasement --Hitler now wanted the Sudetenland, which is Czechoslovakia, (German Ancestors). --Britain let Germany invade and take over Czech in a treaty (Example of Appeasement). Appeasement- In this they gave into Germany’s demands in order to avoid war.
Germany Invades Europe Hitler soon broke his promise by invading Poland. France and Britain assumed they had an ally in Stalin and the USSR. They were wrong.
--German/Russian Non-Aggression Pact They agreed with each other in a pact not to fight or invade each other. --Invasion of Poland On September 1st Germany invaded Poland (It stressed speed and surprise) Great Britain and France declared war. Blitzkrieg Using Planes and bombings mostly (Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway fell soon.) Fall of France Germany then attacked France, It fell in 2 weeks.
Fire Bombing of Britain --Massive bombing attacks on Britain, especially London (created massive fires) -- Royal Air Force held Hitler off and frustrated him.
Germany Attacks the Soviet Union --Hitler feared Soviet ambitions in Europe. --Invaded Russia moving through easily, destroying Russian soldiers. --Leningrad and Stalingrad stood in the way of Moscow. --Worst winter ever stalemate (The cauldron).
Lend-Lease Act Allowed the U.S. to lend or lease materials, equipment, and weapons to the allies. --Sent 50 Billion dollars in aid.
Pearl Harbor --In 1940 Japan joined the alliance with Germany and Italy --Planned on invading the Dutch West Indies and Asian territories, only America Stood in the Way. --Dec. 7, 1941—2,400 Americans Dead. --War declared on Japan, Germany and Italy Soon declared war on the U.S.
War in Europe & Africa Mobilizing for War: Millions of Americans quickly volunteered for military duty. Millions more were drafted. All Ethnic & Racial groups fought (Tuskegee Airman).
--Americans and Russians wanted to invade Europe immediately, but Britain convinced them that it would be smarter to drive Nazis out of North Africa and Italy 1st. --Nazi General Rommel “Dessert Fox” proved to be a tough enemy. --Finally took North Africa and then Italy, People of Italy turned against Mussolini. Italy switched sides. Battles in Africa and Italy
The Allied Advance and D-Day D-Day: (June 6, 1944) Largest Seaborne invasion in history 130,000 soldiers carried across the English Channel Fierce battle supported by 101st Airborne drops. Americans slowly advanced across Europe liberating France, Holland, Belgium and More. Battle of the Bulge- German troops attacked U.S. Troops in the Ardenes Mountain Range in Belgium. --U.S. Troops pushed them back and won (costly battle).
Victory in Europe --The Germans were retreating everywhere. --In April 1945 Russian Troops reached Berlin as they closed in Hitler committed Suicide in his bunker. --May 8th V.E. Day German Army Surrendered. Yalta Conference- Allied leaders (Stalin, FDR, and Churchill) met to make plans for the end of the war and the future of Europe. Roosevelt died 2 months later (Harry S. Truman became President).
Horrors of the Holocaust 6 Million Men, Women, and Children were killed of Jewish descent 2/3 of the European Jewish Population. --Also killed gypsies, poles, and handicapped.
War in the Pacific Japan Expands It’s Empire: Shortly after Pearl Harbor Japan attacked and destroyed American/British Troops throughout S.E. Asia. --Pushed America out of the Philippines. U.S. Troops Captured.
Battle of Midway U.S. and Japanese Navies squared off at Midway Island. U.S. destroyed 4 Japanese carriers and 250 planes, Japanese only sunk 1 U.S. Ship and 150 planes. (Battle was turning point of the war).
The Allies Advance Island Hopping:Rather than attempt to take every Japanese held island, the allies decided to invade islands that were not heavily defended. Then use these islands to stage farther attacks. Navajo Code Talkers: To keep Japanese intelligence from breaking its codes, the U.S. Military began using the Navajo language to transmit important messages. (400 Navajo recruited). --U.S. defeated Japanese @ Philippines, badly hurting Japanese Navy, McArthur Returned!!!
--Japanese weapon of Suicide Pilots --Filled their planes with explosives and crashed them into allied ships. Kamikaze
Iwo Jima and Okinawa Allies needed bases closer to Japan, they choose Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Japanese defended both islands fiercely. 23,000 U.S. casualties on Iwo Jima.
Atomic Weapons End War In the summer of 1945 Japan continued to fight, U.S. planned to invade Japan in November. --American officials feared an invasion of Japan would cost 200,000 American Casualties. So they considered using an atomic bomb.
Manhattan Project --Top secret program to build an atomic bomb led by scientist J. Robert Openheimer --Once the bomb was finished and successfully tested Truman threatened Japan of destruction if it did not surrender. Japan refused.
Hiroshima On August 6th 1945 the U.S. dropped an Atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima killing 70,000 people (men, women, and children). They still refused to surrender, so on August 9th the U.S. dropped a 2nd bomb on Nagasaki killing 40,000. On August 14th Japan surrendered.
Legacy of the War The War’s Human Cost: About 20 Million soldiers were killed and millions more wounded. Soviets lost 7.5 Million Dead-----------------------------------Americans lost 400,000 dead (600,000 wounded) --Both sides fought a war without boundaries. --War also included about 21 million refugees trying to put their lives back together.
Economic Winners and Losers The war left many of the world’s economies in ruins (Bombings had destroyed factories, railroads and other buildings). --Only the U.S. came out with a strong economy. Marshal Plan- Made by the U.S. to help boost the economies of Europe. Under the plan the U.S. gave more than 13 billion dollars to help with the economies of Europe.
Changes in American Society --The U.S. faced many social changes after the war. Had to deal with millions of soldiers coming home (competition for jobs and education was high). G.I. Bill- Provided Education and Economic help to veterans. --Paid for their schooling and gave them living allowances.
Nuremberg Trials --The world had to deal with war criminals. Especially Nazis who played large roles in Jewish death camps. (Charges included crimes against humanity) --1-year long trial—19 defendants found guilty12 sentenced to death185 other Nazis were found guilty in later trials. --The Nuremberg trials upheld an important idea that people are responsible for their own actions even in wartime.
Creation of the United Nations --Nations must work together to insure peace. (League of Nations Failures). --International peace organization.
International Tensions --In 1948 the UN helped found the Nation of Israel to create a homeland for Jews in Palestine. Fighting immediately broke out Arab nations attacked Israel. --Colonies around the world started fighting for Independence. --The U.S. was more concerned with the rise of the Soviet Union. --The Soviet Union wanted to spread Communism and the U.S. wanted to put a halt to it, this led to conflict (Atomic Age/Cold War).
