Download Causes of World War II

US History 2
Mr. Mulry
Chapter 23: The Coming of War
Review Sheet
*Key Causes of World War II
Destruction
caused by
WWI
Failure of
World War I
peace
settlements
Global
economic
depression
Causes of World War II
Weakness of
the League of
Nations
Acts of
aggression
by Axis
Powers
Militaristic,
nationalist leaders
in Germany, Italy,
and Japan.
British and
French
appeasement
*Key Allied Powers and Axis Powers and Their Leaders
Allies
Great Britain
France
Leaders
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister
Charles de Gaulle, leader of French not under German
control.
Soviet Union
Joseph Stalin, communist dictator
United States
Franklin D. Roosevelt, President
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Axis Powers
Germany
Italy
Japan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Leaders
Adolf Hitler, Nazi dictator
Benito Mussolini, Fascist dictator
Hideki Tojo, army general and prime minister; Hirohito,
emperor
Characteristics of a Totalitarian State
Single-party dictatorship exerting control over all aspects of life.
Strong, charismatic leader often at head of government.
State control of the economy.
Use of police, spies, and terror to enforce the will of the state.
Government control of the media and use of propaganda to indoctrinate citizens.
Use of schools and youth organizations to spread ideology to children.
Strict censorship of artists, intellectuals, and pivotal rivals with dissenting opinions.
German Conquests in Europe 1939-1942
*Steps Toward American Entry Into World War II
1935-1937: Congress passes Neutrality Acts to help prevent the United States from being drawn into any
foreign wars.
1939: The Neutrality Act of 1939 allows belligerent nations to buy supplies from the United States on a
cash-and-carry basis; the act favors the Allies.
September 1940: Roosevelt tightens trade embargo against Japan; Congress passes Selective Services
Act, instituting a peacetime draft.
March 1941: Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the United States to give aid to the Allies.
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August 1941: Roosevelt and Churchill issue the Atlantic Charter.
Summer 1941: Japanese and American diplomats try to resolve differences.
Oct.-Nov. 1941: German U-boats sink United States Navy ships; U.S. merchant ships are armed and
given permission to sink U-boats.
December 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; the United States declares war on Japan and later on
Germany and Italy.
Should the United States Enter World War II
Isolationist Viewpoint
Interventionist Viewpoint
The U.S. should avoid alliances with other
nations.
The U.S. should work with other nations to
promote collective security.
Americans should focus on issues at home, such
as the depression.
Axis aggressions were wrong and threatened
American interests.
Complete neutrality was the way to keep the U.S.
safe.
The U.S. should aid the Allies, who were fighting
for democracy and freedom.
Intervention in a foreign war would be a mistake,
just as WWI was.
The U.S. should put pressure on the Axis Powers
and prepare for war.
*Chapter Questions to Think About
Chapter Focus Question: What events caused World War II, and how did the United States become
involved?
Section 1 Dictators and War: Why did totalitarian states rise after World War I, and what did they do?
Section 2 From Isolation to Involvement: How did Americans react to events in Europe and Asia in the
early years of World War II?
Section 3 America Enters the War: How did the United States react to the Japanese attack to Pearl
Harbor?
*Terms and People to be Familiar With
Section 1: totalitarianism, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, anti-Semitic, appeasement
Section 2: blitzkrieg, Axis Powers, Allies, Winston Churchill, Lend-Lease Act
Section 3: Pearl Harbor, Douglas MacArthur, Bataan Death March
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