World War IIWorld War II

RootsRoots

Other powers could not organize Other powers could not organize resistanceresistance

U.S. remains isolationistU.S. remains isolationist Britain and France follow policy of Britain and France follow policy of

appeasementappeasement France-lost 16% of male population in France-lost 16% of male population in

WWIWWI Britain dealing with depressionBritain dealing with depression

Spanish Civil WarSpanish Civil War

Foreshadow World War IIForeshadow World War II General Francesco Franco—opposed General Francesco Franco—opposed

liberal governmentliberal government Franco helped by Italy and GermanyFranco helped by Italy and Germany Government helped by France and Government helped by France and

RussiaRussia Franco wins with support of Franco wins with support of

industry, large landowners and industry, large landowners and Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

Hitler’s steps towards Hitler’s steps towards WarWar

Reoccupies RhinelandReoccupies Rhineland Annexes AustriaAnnexes Austria Sept 1938—Demands Sept 1938—Demands

CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia SudetenlandSudetenland British PM Chamberlain negotiates deal British PM Chamberlain negotiates deal

w/ Hitlerw/ Hitler

Nazi-Soviet PactNazi-Soviet Pact

August 1939—Hitler and Stalin sign August 1939—Hitler and Stalin sign non-aggression pactnon-aggression pact

Divide up PolandDivide up Poland Hitler now free to go to war with Hitler now free to go to war with

west without fear of Soviet attackwest without fear of Soviet attack

Phony WarPhony War

British and French declare War on British and French declare War on Germany when they attack PolandGermany when they attack Poland

Until Spring 1940—French and British Until Spring 1940—French and British sit behind Defensive barrier—Maginot sit behind Defensive barrier—Maginot LineLine

Hitler launches “Blitzkrieg”-through Hitler launches “Blitzkrieg”-through Belgium and N. FranceBelgium and N. France

Paris falls in 7 weeksParis falls in 7 weeks British escape through DunkirkBritish escape through Dunkirk

Small SetbacksSmall Setbacks

British keep FightingBritish keep Fighting Battle of BritainBattle of Britain

Italians join the warItalians join the war Forces Hitler to divert troops to supportForces Hitler to divert troops to support

Japanese alarming U.S. about Japanese alarming U.S. about actionsactions

Major ProblemsMajor Problems

June 1941—Germany attacks RussiaJune 1941—Germany attacks Russia Hitler wants elbow roomHitler wants elbow room Appears like quick victoryAppears like quick victory

Soviets lose 2.5 million in 4 monthsSoviets lose 2.5 million in 4 months Germans reach gates of major citiesGermans reach gates of major cities Soviets hold out—becomes war of Soviets hold out—becomes war of

attritionattrition

Problems for GermanyProblems for Germany

Japanese attack Pearl HarborJapanese attack Pearl Harbor Brings U.S. into warBrings U.S. into war Hitler declares war on U.S.Hitler declares war on U.S.

U.S. economy is a major force in the U.S. economy is a major force in the conflictconflict Soon out producing Japan, Germany Soon out producing Japan, Germany

and Italy combined.and Italy combined.

Long WarLong War

Series of Allied victories in the WestSeries of Allied victories in the West North AfricaNorth Africa ItalyItaly Normandy—D-Day June 6, 1944Normandy—D-Day June 6, 1944 Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

Air WarAir War

Both sides ravage citesBoth sides ravage cites ExampleExample

Feb 1945 DresdenFeb 1945 Dresden 135,000 Germans died135,000 Germans died

Both sides make deliberate target of Both sides make deliberate target of citizenscitizens Civilian morale not impactedCivilian morale not impacted

German GenocideGerman Genocide Hitler decides to exterminate the JewsHitler decides to exterminate the Jews Also sought to destroy a long list of other Also sought to destroy a long list of other

peoples:peoples: SlavsSlavs People of mixed racePeople of mixed race GypsiesGypsies Incurably ill and insaneIncurably ill and insane HomosexualsHomosexuals Jehovah’s WitnessesJehovah’s Witnesses

By 1942—mass gassing techniques usedBy 1942—mass gassing techniques used By 1945—6 million Jews killedBy 1945—6 million Jews killed 11 million victims total11 million victims total

End of the WarEnd of the War

Germany—May 1945Germany—May 1945 Japan--August 1945Japan--August 1945

Two atomic bombsTwo atomic bombs HiroshimaHiroshima NagasakiNagasaki