Download World War II

World War II
1939-1945
Causes of WWII:
1. Failure of the Treaty of Versailles
 Resentment – Germany, Italy
 Political instability created by weak new nations
 League of Nations fails - militaries & alliances rebuilt
2.
Global Economic Depression
3.
Rise of Totalitarianism
 Great Depression & war debts lead to decline
 Capitalist nations fear communist nations
 Disillusionment
 Germany, Italy, Soviet Union, Japan fall to dictators
 Extreme nationalism causes aggressive expansion
4.
Spark:
Policy of Appeasement
 Definition = giving into demands to keep peace
 Ex. Munich Conference (1938) – Europe gives Sudetenland
to Germany (Hitler seen as defense against communism)
Invasion of Poland
Who? Germany & USSR
When? September 1, 1939
Why? Germany & USSR sign Nazi-Soviet Pact (8/23/1939)
because both seek return of lost land, Germany also wants
lebensraum (living space) for the Third Reich
How? Germany uses blitzkrieg (lightning war)
heavy air & artillery bombardment  paratroop
landings  infantry attacks  tanks move in
Sides:
Axis
1. Germany
2. Italy
3. Japan
v.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Allied
Great Britain
France
Soviet Union (1941)
US (1941)
Theatres of WWII:
1. Europe
2. North Africa
3. Asia/Pacific
New Ways of Fighting:
 Mobility because of better tanks and airplanes
 Better artillery/explosives
 Better communication – radio, radar, sonar
 Atomic bomb (US secret until 1945)
Allied Strategy:
 Defend until 1941 then invade North Africa, Europe, and Asia
 Depend on US economic support despite her isolationism
Neutrality Acts (1937)
no arms/shipments/loans/credits to nations at war
Cash-and-Carry Policy
nations can buy arms if pay cash & carry goods home
Lend-Lease Plan
lend/lease arms to any country whose defense is vital to US
Atlantic Charter (8/1941)
US & GB will uphold democracy – unofficial alliance
Axis Strategy:
 Germany – take France, GB, & USSR using blitzkreig (land) &
blitz (air)
 Japan – take Asian land/islands