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Every major European nation was near bankruptcy in 1918
Germany suffered most of all
Germany blamed for WWI and forced to pay reparations of
$33 billion
Inflation skyrockets as German Government begins
printing 400 quadrillion marks a day
1923 – 1,000,000 Marks equaled one US cent
Daws Act – U.S. provided $200 million in relief to Germany
to help stabilize the economy and lower reparation payments
Mussolini & Italy
Although Italy was victorious in WWI they didn’t reap many
benefits
Suffered high casualties during the war
Did not get much land from Treaty of Versailles
Unemployment, high prices, and food shortages after the war
Fascism – interest of the state above that of the individual
Power rested in a single person Mussolini – “I am Fascism”
Wanted to restore the glory of ancient Rome
Mussolini’s followers called “Squadristi” or “Black Shirts”
1922 – appointed dictator by King
Italy invades and conquers Ethiopia in 1935
Adolph Hitler
Corporal in WWI
1919 – joined National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) Party
Hitler’s private Nazi army known as “Storm Troopers” or
“Brown Shirts”
Beer Hall Putsch – 1923, failed attempt by Hitler and the
Nazis to overthrow the Bavarian Government
Hitler arrested and imprisoned for 9 months
Writes “Mein Kampf” or “My Struggle
Nazi Party gains popularity
Placed Jews as scapegoat for nations problems
Played on peoples fears and promised to end
the chaos in Germany
Nazi Party went from 2.6 percent of the vote in 1928 to 37.3
percent in 1932
January 30, 1933 Hitler appointed Chancellor
Hitler calls his new Government the Third Reich
Axis Powers formed – military alliance between Italy and Germany
in 1936
Kristallnacht – “Night of Broken Glass” Nov. 9, 1938
Nazi’s destroyed Jewish businesses and synagogues
1931 Japan invades Manchuria
Looking to build an empire and gather natural resources
The U.S. wished to remain isolated
Disapproved of European and Japanese aggression
Passed neutrality laws and placed embargoes on weapons
trade to hostile nations
1938 – Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia turn over the
Sudetnland (home to many Germans), Czech’s refused and Hitler
threatened war.
Munich Conference – French and British leaders met with Hitler in
Sept. 1938. Appeased Hitler by persuading the Czech’s to give up
the Sudetenland to preserve peace.
“The Government
had to choose
between shame and
war, they have
chosen shame but
will get war”
March 1939 Hitler
seized the rest of
Czechoslovakia.
1939 – Hitler demanded Poland return the City of Danzig which
had belonged to Germany prior to WWI
Britain and France pledged to defend Poland if Hitler attacked
Non – aggression Pact - Aug 1939, Hitler and Stalin agreed not
to attack each other and divide Poland
WWII begins on September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland
Blitzkrieg – “lightning War”
Germany attacked Poland from the west while the Soviet
Union attacked from the east. Poland was overrun within
a month.
Allied Powers – Sept. 3, 1939 Britain and France declared
war on Germany
France moved it’s troops to the fortified wall built following
WWI between France and Germany known as the Maginot Line.
Immobile, stretched from Luxemburg to Switzerland
Germany simply went
around to the north.
May 26 – June 3 Battle of
Dunkirk trapped French
troops had to be evacuated to
Britain.
June 22, 1940 France
surrendered, and Germany took
control of northern France
With France defeated, Hitler prepared to invade Britain
Before Hitler could launch an invasion (operation sealion), his
Luftwaffe (German Air force) would need to gain control of the
air by defeating the British Royal Air force (RAF)
Radar helped RAF detect incoming aircraft
Raids on London – Sept. 7 –
hoped to break British moral
By mid Sept. Hitler cancelled
his plans for an invasion.
1st major setback for the 3rd Reich
“Never was so much owed by so
many to so few” Churchill
Although Americans opposed Hitler, they didn’t want to get
involved in a European conflict
Neutrality laws prevented the U.S. from aiding the Allies
Roosevelt persuaded Congress to change the laws
1939 – “cash and carry” allies could purchase U.S. weapons
“We must be the great arsenal (arms supplier) of Democracy”
1941 – “Lend Lease Act” loaned $7 Billion in weapons and
supplies to Britain.
When Hitler broke the non-aggression in June 1941,
Roosevelt extended the Lend Lease to the Soviets
As U.S aid to Britain increased Germany used its U-Boats to stop
the transportation of weapons and supplies, resulting in a long
fight for control of the trade routes.
U.S Navy began escorting and notifying the British of sub locations
Oct 31, 1941 U.S.S. Ruben James was sunk by German sub, 115
American killed. Roosevelt ordered U.S. to shoot on site (war
seemed certain)
In July 1941 Japanese forces attacked French Indochina
President Roosevelt froze
Japanese funds in the U.S. and
blocked the sale of oil to Japan
(angered Japan)
After failed attempts to
negotiate with the U.S the
Prime Minister General Tojo
made preparations for war
In Nov. 1941 Japanese aircraft carriers (General Yamamoto) left for
Pearl Harbor Hawaii (home to the entire U.S. Naval Fleet)
The attack began on Dec. 7, 1941 at about 7:30 am. The attack sunk
or damaged 19 ship, destroyed 177 planes and killed 2335 people.
The U.S.S. Arizona
suffered the greatest losses
(1177 killed)
Dec. 8, 1941 Roosevelt
asked Congress to
declare war on Japan.
Dec. 11, 1941 Germany
declared war on the U.S.
Americas involvement in WWII will help stimulate the economy
helping to end the Great Depression.
Production boomed – demand for war goods
Earning rose and unemployment nearly vanished
Farm production skyrocketed
War Production Board – oversaw conversion of factories
Increase armies – recruit and train millions of soldiers
Increased Taxes – income tax on middle and lower class
Women in workforce – replace men in factories and businesses, less
pay. 300,000 in Armed Forces non - combat roles.
In 1941 about 125,000 Japanese lived in the U.S.
Issei – immigrants from Japan
Nisei – Japanese born in the U.S
Growing fear of sabotage and spying as well as possible violence
against Japanese citizens
1942 forced into internment camps throughout western States
442nd Regiment – Japanese (Nisei) soldiers in U.S. Army,
highly decorated combat team 18,000 individual medals
2 weeks after Pearl Harbor Roosevelt
and Churchill agreed to focus on
defeating Germany first.
Allied Air Forced attempted to
destroy German economic
resources by targeting railroads,
military centers and German cities
Most bombing raids occurred
during the daytime, this
resulted in greater casualties
General Rommel (Desert Fox) led Italian and German forces to
gain control of the Suez Canal and oil field of Egypt.
Battle of El Alamein – Allied forces under British commander
General Montgomery stopped Rommel’s forces and drove the
Axis Powers from Northern Africa.
Allies invade Italy – July 1943, Allied forces attack Sicily and
Italy (soft underbelly of Europe)
Many Italians wanted peace (overthrew Mussolini)
Hitler sent German troops to help
Mussolini and to stop the Allied advance
In April 1945, Allied forces drove
German forces from Italy
April 1945 Italian resistance fighter
captured and executed Mussolini
Turning point of the war between Axis powers and Soviet Union
Operation Blue – Germany began its attack against the Soviet
city of Stalingrad. Lasted 199 days from Aug 1942 – Feb 1943
Bloodiest battle in human history, 2 million casualties
Stalin forbid civilians from leaving, put women and children
to work building fortifications
Germans bombed the city, reduced it to rubble, 80% of living
spaces destroyed
“Not a step back” Stalin ordered all those who retreated to
be shot
Bitter fighting for every street, factory, and house
Harsh winter weather took its toll on Germany (low supplies)
“Operation Uranus” – Soviet counter attack in Nov. 1942 to
recapture the city.
Surprisingly to Hitler dislike in Feb 1943 over 90,000
German soldiers surrendered
“Operation Overlord” June 6 1944, allied invasion of the beaches of
Normandy (northern France) Eisenhower’s Plan
150,000 allied soldiers largest land invasion in history
Goal: to liberate western Europe from Nazi occupation
Dec. 16, 1944 – Jan 28, 1945 Hitler made a desperate attempt to
split advancing allied forces.
Allied forces were outnumbered but fought to maintain the lines,
allies retreated creating (The Bulge) 77,000 U.S. casualties
Allied forces managed to launch a counterattack
and began to drive back German lines
Weakened German forces unable to wage
offensive war
Allies began advance towards Berlin while
Soviet advanced from the east
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor Japan seemed unstoppable
Japan continue to strengthen their position by acquiring lands
throughout southeast Asia
Philippines – U.S. possession, U.S. and Filipino forces
under the command of Douglas MacArthur
March 1942 MacArthur order to evacuate “I Shall Return”
Many U.S. and Filipino soldiers were trapped on the Island and
surrendered
70,000 prisoners forced to march 65 miles (Bataan Death
March) poorly treated 600 Americans and 10,000 Filipinos died
To stop Japan, the allies had to defeat the Japanese Navy.
Chester Nimitz – commander of U.S. Naval fleet in Pacific
U.S.Navy had broken the Japanese code and could read secret
messages. U.S learned of Japans plan to take Port Moresby in
New Guinea
U.S.fleet met the Japanese invasion force in the Coral Sea
northeast of Australia
Both fleets suffered losses (1 Carrier sunk, and 1 damaged)
Allies able to stop Japanese advance for the first time
Again Allies learn of Japans plan to capture the midway Islands
Nimitz sent U.S. carriers to intercept the Japanese
June 3-6 1942 - air battle, planes try to sink opposing Aircraft
carriers
Japans Navy crippled lost 4 carriers
“Operation Watchtower” – Japanese occupied part of the Solomon
Islands chain (wanted to use as an airbase)
First offensive by U.S. land forces in the Pacific
Allies plan to conquer 1 island at a time, gradually moving closer
to Japan
Hoped to gain bases from which they could bomb and later
invade Japan
When the U.S. evacuated the islands in 1942 Douglas MacArthur
vowed “I shall return”
Battle of Leyte Gulf – Oct 1944, largest naval engagement in
history
Kamikaze (divine wind) 1st battle that Japanese pilots used
the suicide tactics
Americans began bombing missions on Japanese cities (Tokyo)
inflicting heavy damage.
Despite the heavy losses Japan refused to surrender (fought even
harder) rather die than surrender
Iwo Jima (Feb. 1945) most of the 22,000 Japanese defenders
fought to the death only 200 survivors
Okinawa – (April 1945) used Kamikazes,
killing nearly 5000 sailors.
During 3 months of fighting Japanese
suffered 110,000 casualties, and another
80,000 civilians
As Allied and Soviet troops converged on Berlin Hitler retreated to
his underground bunker where on April 30, 1945 he committed
suicide
On May 7th German authorities surrendered, the following day
May 8th 1945 is celebrated as V-E Day (Victory in Europe) the
official end of WWII in Europe
Allied leaders feared an invasion of Japan would result in enormous
losses (1 million)
Manhattan Project – scientists had been secretly working on the
development of the Atomic bomb (Robert Oppenheimer) since 1942
July 16, 1945 U.S tested the first atomic bomb in Alamogordo N.M
When Japan refused to surrender President Harry Truman gave the
order to drop the bomb on.
August 6, 1945 the B29 bomber Enola
Gay dropped the bomb (little boy) on
the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing
nearly 80,000 people
3 days later on Aug. 9 a
second bomb (fat man)
was dropped on the city of
Nagasaki
Less than a month later
on Sept. 2, 1945 Japan
surrendered
The use of this weapon changed the future of warfare
The History of Nazi Anti-Semitism
•Hostility toward or prejudice against Jews
AntiSemitism
Hitler’s
Views
History
of Jews
in
Germany
Told Germans that they came from a superior race – the Aryans
Used the Jews as a scapegoat – someone to blame for
Germany’s woes after World War I
Jews lived in Germany for 1,600 years.
Hostility toward Jews existed since the Middle Ages.
Anti-Jewish Nazi laws mirrored medieval efforts to
humiliate Jews.
Anti-Semitism changed from prejudice based on
religion to hatred based on ancestry.
Nazi Anti-Semitism
Hitler in Power
Began campaign against Jews soon after becoming chancellor
Established a series of anti-Semitic laws intended to drive Jews from Germany
Laws stripped Jews of their citizenship and took away most civil and economic
rights.
Laws defined who was a Jew.
Attacks on Jews
Many Germans supported Hitler’s anti-Semitic ideas.
Discrimination and violent attacks against Jews continued.
Anti-Jewish riots broke out in an attack called Kristallnacht.
Jews were sent to concentration camps, killed, and fined for the attack.
Fleeing Germany
Over 100,000 managed to leave Germany after Kristallnacht.
Others found it difficult to leave the country as Nazi laws had left many without
money or property.
Many countries were unwilling to take in poor immigrants.
The United States limited the number of Germans immigrants
The Nazi Government’s Final Solution
World War II brought many of Europe’s 9 million Jews under the control of the
Nazi SS.
Concentration camps were built in Germany and in other countries that the Germans
occupied.
The camps were prisons for Jews and others considered enemies of Hitler’s
regime.
Conditions in the camps were horrific.
The Nazis also established ghettos to control and punish Jews.
Ghettos are neighborhoods in a city to which a group of people are confined.
Life in the Jewish ghettos was desperate.
The worst ghetto was in Warsaw, Poland.
In 1941 Hitler called for the total destruction of all of Europe’s Jews.
At first mobile killing units—Einsatzgruppen—massacred Jews.
Then, Nazi officials adopted a plan known as the Final Solution.
Concentration Camps, Ghettos, and the Final Solution
Camps
Prisons for Jews, prisoners-of-war, and enemies of the Nazi regime
Inmates received little food and were forced to labor.
The combination of overwork and starvation was intended to kill.
Punishment for minor offenses was swift, sure, and deadly.
Ghettos
Walls or fences kept the Jews inside and those trying to leave were shot.
Food was scarce; starvation was rampant.
Diseases spread rapidly.
The worst ghetto was in Warsaw, Poland.
Some Jews in the Warsaw ghetto—the Jewish Fighting Organization—fought back.
The Final Solution
Genocide – the killing of an entire people
Involved building 6 new extermination camps for Jews
Inmates were exposed to poison gas in specially built chambers.
3 million Jews died in extermination camps.
3 million Jews and 5 million others were killed by the Nazi using other means.
The American response to the Holocaust
Despite knowing about Hitler’s policies toward the Jews and events
such as Kristallnacht, American immigration limited the number of
Jews who could move to the United States.
In 1942, Americans officials began to hear about what was
happening to the Jews in Europe and specifically about Hitler’s Final
Solution.
The Americans were doubtful at first and thought the reports
might just be war rumors.
Finally in 1944, Roosevelt created the War Refugee Board.
Through this board, the United States was able to help 200,000
Jews.
The American Response
Liberating the Nazi Camps
In 1944, Soviet troops began to discover some of the Nazi death camps. By 1945
they reached the huge extermination camp at Auschwitz.
Their reports gave proof of Hitler’s terrible plan.
Also in 1945, American soldiers came upon concentration camps.
Many camp inmates died after being rescued, but some were still strong enough
to survive.
The Nuremberg trials
Many Nazis faced trial for their roles in the Holocaust.
The court was located at Nuremberg, Germany.
The court was called the International Military Tribunal.
Twenty two Nazis were tried for war crimes, including Hermann Göering.
Since Nuremberg, several Nazis have been captured and tried in different courts,
including Israel.