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World War II Begins 1939 - 1941 Causes of World War II 1. Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from World War I 2. Rise of Fascism in several countries Fascism is a type of government where total power is given to a dictator and freedoms are denied to people 1. Economic Devastation Worldwide depression (even though the depression began in the U.S., its effects were felt throughout Europe) Massive unemployment throughout the world like in Italy, Germany, and Japan Economic Devastation (cont.) •High inflation was occurring in countries like Germany and Italy •Inflation means that money was not worth as much as it used to be, and the prices of items were higher •Reparations – Germany owed a high war debt of $33 billion from World War I •Both the Allies and the Central Powers from WWI owed huge debt from the cost of the war Appeasement at Munich: Hitler was taking over many weaker countries around Europe. A meeting was called between Britain, France, and Germany (Hitler) in the German city of Munich. Appeasement at Munich: Continued In the end, Germany was allowed to have the countries it took over without a fight. This was known as the Munich Pact. This agreement between the countries was known as appeasement (pleasing someone to avoid a fight or war), which did not work Appeasement Allied Powers Democratic nations were known as the Allies. These nations included the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. The Soviet Union joined the Allies after being attacked by Germany. Allied Powers Great Britain (led by Winston Churchill) United States (led by Harry S. Truman) Soviet Union (after Germany attacks) (led by Joseph Stalin) Canada World War II Begins Germany Starts the War: Hitler soon broke the agreement he made in Munich and conquered (took control of) Czechoslovakia. He also said he was going to invade Poland. Great Britain and France warned that an attack on Poland would mean WAR. World War II begins Germany invades Poland! Pact - Germany and Soviet Union Germany and the Soviet Union signed a pact that said they would not declare war on or attack one another. Germany then invaded Poland and Great Britain and France declared WAR on Germany. World War II had begun. Germany and Soviet Union attack Poland Germany attacked Poland from the west and the Soviet Union invaded from the East. Poland soon fell to the invading armies. Germany invaded other countries Germany invaded with speed and surprise, called blitzkrieg, or “Lightening War” They used tanks, troops, and planes to conquer other countries like Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and Luxemburg. The British and French troops could do little to stop the Germans. Germany attacks France In June 1940, the Germans attacked France and in less than 2 weeks they captured Paris (the capitol city). Days later France surrendered. France Crumbles Germany attacks Britain Hitler believed that the British would quit after France fell. The British, led by Winston Churchill, had no intention of surrendering. Hitler made plans to invade Britain. Germany attacks Britain (continued) There was a huge air battle between the German Air Force and Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF). Germany bombed London in the Battle of Britain. The British won the air battle and did not surrender as Hitler had hoped Battle of Britain Hitler betrays Stalin and invades Soviet Union After failing to defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF), Hitler turns his attention elsewhere. He sees a chance to expand his empire by invading the Soviet Union and having access to it’s vast resources. Hitler breaks his non-aggression pact with Stalin and invades the Soviet Union by surprise. Germany invades Soviet Union December 1941 By the end of 1941, things look bad for the Allies. Germany initially rolls rapidly through the Soviet Union and threatens to take Moscow the Capitol. However, things are about to change! U.S. Involvement United States Aids the Allies Prior to December 1941 the U.S. was not a part of the war at this time. President Roosevelt tried to help the Allies He proposed the Lend – Lease Act This allowed the U.S. to lend or lease war materials to Allied Nations. The U.S. was still not physically fighting in the war. Germany Attacks the Soviet Union Hitler did not trust the Soviet Union and invaded (attacked) Leningrad in June 1941. The Soviets held them off and the Germans never took the city. Germany Attacks Moscow In December 1941, they ran into the harshest Russian winter in decades. Many soldiers died and their tanks and weapons broke down in the cold. The German advance had come to a halt, (stopped) and driven back. Battle of Stalingrad The Germans attacked Stalingrad, a major industrial city, in September of 1942. The Soviets defeated the Germans. In February 1943, the German troops surrendered and Hitler’s hope of conquering the Soviet Union was gone. The Battle of Stalingrad, marked the turning point of the war in Eastern Europe. Stalingrad Turning Point of War in Europe Japan in need of resources In 1940, Japan joined the Axis alliance with Germany and Italy. Japan was led by Hideki Tojo Japan needed more resources (oil, metals, grains), so Tojo decided to invade other countries to get it. The only thing in his way was the United States Navy because the U.S. warned Japan to stop invading other countries. Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes bombed the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. 2,400 Americans, both (military) servicemen and civilians died during this attack. Pearl Harbor U.S. declares War President Roosevelt and the U.S. government declared WAR on Japan. A few days later, Germany and Italy declared WAR on the U.S. because of its alliance with Japan. U.S. Involvement Now, They the U.S. is in direct fighting in WWII. went from being neutral (not on the side of anyone), to giving economic and military aid, to now direct fighting in the war.