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 & ItalyAlthough Italy was victorious in WWI they didn’t reap many

benefitsSuffered 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

Kristallnacht – “Night of Broken Glass” Nov. 9, 1938

Nazi’s destroyed Jewish businesses and synagogues

Axis Powers formed – military alliance between Italy and Germany

in 1936

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.

March 1939 Hitler

seized the rest of

Czechoslovakia.

“The Government

had to choose

between shame and

war, they have

chosen shame but

will get war”

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.

June 22, 1940 France

surrendered, and Germany took

control of northern France

May 26 – June 3 Battle of

Dunkirk trapped French

troops had to be evacuated to

Britain.

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

Anti-

Semitism

•Hostility toward or prejudice against Jews

Hitler’s

Views

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

History

of Jews

in

Germany

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.