World War II

Lesson 1: The Rise of Dictators Germans bitter- Treaty of Versailles-

expected Germany to pay for damages caused by World War I

Worldwide depression (and Great Depression) affected countries around the world. Many Germans blamed other European nations and German Jews for their hardships.

Didn’t have enough money to do this Adolf Hitler, leader of Germany during the

20’s, said Germany had been treated unfairly.

What do you think?

Worldwide Depression

Countries short of supplies Still trying to recover from World War

I Economic hard times worldwide

Discuss reasons for the above facts with a partner.

Georgia Performance Standards

SS5H6 The student will explain the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II.

a. Describe Germany’s aggression in Europe and Japan’s aggression in Asia.

b. Describe major events in the war in both Europe and the Pacific; include Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, D-Day, VE and VJ Days, and the Holocaust.

c. Discuss President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

d. Identify Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, Hirohito, Truman, Mussolini, and Hitler.

e. Describe the effects of rationing and the changing role of women and African- Americans; include “Rosie the Riveter” and the Tuskegee Airmen.

f. Explain the U.S. role in the formation of the United Nations.

Other factors leading to WWII

Germany-reduced size by the Treaty of Versailles

League of Nations was organized French and Britain (ruled by Winston

Churchill)-unsure U.S.- isolationist

What does all of this mean?

Hitler (leader of Germany)

Believed only Germans with blond hair and blue eyes were “true Germans”

Blamed Jews for many of the problems. Adolf Hitler took advantage of the

unhappiness to lead his Nazi Party to power

Hitler preached hatred of the Jews and promised to return Germany to greatness

By 1933, he was firmly in power

Hitler Continued Hitler wanted to expand his empire, which he called

the Third Reich. What is this called (expanding an empire)?

Invaded the Rhineland, Austria, and parts of Czechoslovakia.

Since other European nations did not want another war, they did little to stop him.

They chose appeasement- the belief that it is best to let an aggressive nation have what it wants-they hope that this will satisfy its leaders and stop aggression

Hitler didn’t stop. Signed alliance with two other aggressive nations:

Italy and Japan. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, starting World

War II in Europe.

National Socialists or Nazis?

Political party with Hitler in charge Grew in power and started an army

and continued to build it – What is this called?

Soldiers, called storm troopers attacked Jewish people and others opposed to Hitler

Put prisoners into terrible prisons called concentration camps.

Nazis in Control 1933 took control of German

government Hitler ruled as a dictator, an all-

powerful ruler. Rebuilt Germany’s economy by

preparing for another war. Built tanks, guns, and other war

supplies Wanted to Rule the World

German Dictator, Adolf Hitler

Click on the picture for A video.

Other Dictators

Dictatorship – a country ruled by one all-powerful person.

Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union. Francisco Franco ruled Spain. Benito Mussolini ruled Italy. Hirohito ruled Japan.

Can you think of any mnemonics for remembering these names?

Japan’s Aggression 1920’s- Japan decided to expand its territory in

Southeast Asia. Emperor Hirohito did not desire war, but he

didn’t have most of the power… Government fell under the control of the military

Japan (tiny island nation) lacked natural resources Many in the military saw the invasion of other

territories as the best way to solve this problem By the late 1930’s, Japan controlled most of the

Chinese coast and was determined to conquer other territories as well.

Sound familiar? What is this called? Discuss it with a neighbor.

Lesson 2: The War Begins Japan, Italy, and Germany began taking

over other countries. What is this called?

Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland. British and French leaders had had

enough! Declared war on Germany on Sept. 3,

1939. British and French not able to stop

Germany from taking over other countries.

The United States Many thought we should stay out

(Can you make a connection here?) President Franklin Roosevelt

promised to keep us out of the war. Prepared for attack just in case 1st peacetime draft

• Men ages 21-39 had to register.• Started making war supplies

Japanese Invasion Spreads

Japanese invaded Indochina, now what is Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

American leaders were afraid Japan would threaten the Philippines and other Pacific islands. What did the US own in the Pacific?

They were RIGHT!

Japan’s Aggression Continued United States was very concerned about Germany

and Japan. Still, many citizens did not want the US to go to

war. Then, in late 1941, everything changed. Japanese leaders believed that the US Pacific

Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was anchored too close to Japan. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base.

They felt it threatened Japan’s expansion. On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes

launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

U.S. Enters the War December 7, 1941- Japanese planes

attacked Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.

Dropped bombs on American ships at the Pearl Harbor naval base.

In less than two hours, Japan had destroyed most of the U.S. Pacific fleet.

More than 2,000 sailors and 68 civilians were killed.

Declaration of War Day after the attack at Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt asked Congress to

declare war on Japan. Congress declared war that same day. Because Germany and Japan were allies,

the United States soon found itself at war with Germany as well. The US had entered WWII.

Italy and Germany, Japan’s allies, declared war on the U.S. three days later.

Turn and tell a neighbor why the USentered WWII.

The War in EuropeNorth Africa and Italy

In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union (USSR)

After Pearl Harbor, the US, Great Britain, the USSR, and a number of other nations fought together as the Allies. Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis Powers.

Although the Soviet Union’s leader, Joseph Stalin, urged the US and Great Britain to invade Western Europe, President Roosevelt and Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill decided to attack in North Africa first.

Following the victory in North Africa, the British and US forces invaded and conquered southern Italy.

Sides are Drawn

Axis Powers Germany Japan ItalyAXIS- The world spins on an axis, and Hitler (along with Japan and Italy) wanted to rule the world!

Allies United States Britain France USSR

Americans at War Produced more and more airplanes,

tanks, and other war supplies Created new jobs World War II ended the Great

Depression Discuss with a neighbor how this affected the economy.

Women took over many of the jobs Power of the federal government grew Rationing, or limiting what Americans

could buy occurred, so supplies could be sent overseas.

Lesson 3: The War at Home While US soldiers were away fighting in

Europe and the Pacific, citizens at home did their part to support the war effort

Military needed weapons and supplies. Production increased, and the economy boomed.

Citizens began to looking for ways to conserve goods so that more could go to the soldiers. Do you remember what this is called?

People planted victory gardens in which they raised their own vegetables.

The Role of Women

Women’s role in society changed during the war. Over 275,000 women served in the United States military. The largest military division of women was the WAC (Women’s Army Corps).

http://embodiedidentity.pbworks.com/f/1350757234/wac_women_group_shot_large.jpg

Rosie the Riveter became the symbol of such women. It was the title of a song about a woman who went to work as a riveter while her husband went off to war. Posters of “Rosie” encouraged women to go to work and help production.

The Role of Minorities in WWII Perhaps the most impressive was an army infantry

regiment known as the 442nd Regiment It was made up totally of Japanese American soldiers.

The 442nd fought in Europe and became the most decorated unit in US history.

"Tuskegee Airmen" refers to the men and women, African-Americans and Caucasians, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air.

The War in Europe

Italy’s Axis leader, Benito Mussolini, escaped to the north

There he became the leader of a puppet government under Adolf Hitler (A puppet government is one that rules a country but answers to a stronger foreign government.)

Whose government did he answer to????

D-Day

Following the meeting between Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt, the Allies agreed that the time had come for an invasion of Western Europe.

US General Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the invasion.

On June 6,1944, Allied troops launched a surprise attack on Northern France

The invasion became known as D-Day. It was a huge success.

As the Soviets marched toward Berlin from the east, the western Allies liberated France and other countries as they advanced from the west.

Victory in Europe

April 1945- Hitler realized he had lost As Soviet troops surrounded Berlin, Hitler

committed suicide rather that be captured In May, Germany surrendered. The Allies

celebrated VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) President Roosevelt did not see the day of

victory. He died earlier that same month at his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia. Harry Truman became the new president.

The Holocaust Allies are advancing through Europe They made a horrifying discovery They found concentration camps housing

thousands of starving and tortured prisoners Most were Jewish At first, Hitler’s government simply passed

discrimination laws against the Jews After invading Soviet Union, Hitler tried to

exterminate the Jewish people He wanted to kill other people the Nazis felt were

unfit to live These groups were Slavs, the mentally ill,

gypsies, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The Holocaust Jewish suffered the most Jewish people of all ages were arrested Many were executed immediately or shipped to

camps where they were killed upon arrival Other were forced to work or were tortured in the

camps before they were finally murdered Over six million Jewish people would perished.

The horrible period became known as The Holocaust

After the war, a number of German leaders stood trial for these crimes. Most were found guilty. Some received long prison sentences. Others were hanged.

Lesson 4: Island Hopping The US military then used a strategy

called island hopping US forces conquered one set of islands

after another as they fought their way toward Japan

Forces under the command of Admiral Chester Nimitz advanced across the Central Pacific

Meanwhile, General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral William Halsey commanded forces that attacked from the south and retook the Philippines

Island Hopping One of the fiercest battles occurred on the

island of Iwo Jima It took more that 100,000 US soldiers

nearly a month to defeat a Japanese force of 25,000

Japanese soldiers often believed it was more honorable to fight to the death rather than surrender

One of the most famous images of the was that of the US Marines raising an American flag over Iwo Jima.

The Atomic Bomb During the war, the US developed the atomic

bomb It was the world’s first nuclear weapon It was far more powerful than any weapon ever

invented When Japan refused to surrender unconditionally,

President Truman ordered the bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima

On August 6, 1945, a US plane dropped the bomb IT DESTROYED HIROSHIMA Thousands of

Japanese people were killed Thousands more died later from radiation caused

by the explosion.

The Enola Gay lands at a Mariana Island base after dropping the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima

The Atomic Bomb When Japan still delayed in surrendering,

the president ordered a second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki

The death and destruction caused by these horrifying weapons forced Japan to surrender

People in the US celebrated VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).

Problems for Japanese- Americans

Some military leaders distrusted Japanese Americans

Were afraid they would help the “enemy” Roosevelt ordered 110,000 Japanese

Americans into “relocation camps”• Like prisons, fenced in with barbed wire• Soldiers guarded the camps with guns• Had to sell their homes, businesses, and

belongings.

Problems Continue

Moved to Utah, California, Arizona, Wyoming, Arkansas, and Idaho

Had to wear identification tags Over 17,000 Japanese Americans

served in Army units even though their friends and families were being locked away by their own country.

The United Nations After WWII, countries established the

League of Nations They hoped the League would encourage

peace and avoid future wars The League had no power to enforce its

decisions, however. The US and it allies led the way in establishing a new organization

In 1944, the US hosted meetings to come up with a plan for the organization

In April 1945, leaders from fifty countries met in San Francisco to draft a charter. In October, the United Nations (UN) was formed.

The United Nations

Its purpose was to maintain peace between countries & make sure nations obeyed international law and protect human rights

Most of the decision-making power fell to five permanent members of the UN Security Council: the US, Soviet Union, China, Great Britain, and France.