How World War II How World War II StartedStarted

No Nation UntouchedNo Nation Untouched

The Rise of FascismThe Rise of Fascism

►Fascism: Philosophy of placing Fascism: Philosophy of placing importance of the nation above the importance of the nation above the individualindividual

► Italy and Germany embraced this Italy and Germany embraced this philosophy by the need of rebuilding philosophy by the need of rebuilding strength.strength.

►Benito Mussolini and Adolf HitlerBenito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Totalitarian leaders: use of terror to Totalitarian leaders: use of terror to

suppress individuals and oppositionsuppress individuals and opposition

LeadershipLeadership

►Mussolini:Mussolini: Il DuceIl Duce “The Leader” “The Leader” Suspended elections, outlawed other Suspended elections, outlawed other

political parties and established political parties and established dictatorshipdictatorship

Followed motto: “The Country is Nothing Followed motto: “The Country is Nothing Without Conquest” by invading Ethiopia in Without Conquest” by invading Ethiopia in October 1935.October 1935.

LeadershipLeadership►Hitler:Hitler:

Joined National Socialist German Workers’ Joined National Socialist German Workers’ party in 1919 (also known as the ______ party in 1919 (also known as the ______ party)party)

Powerful speaking ability made him a Powerful speaking ability made him a leaderleader

While in jail for political uprising, wrote While in jail for political uprising, wrote Mein KampfMein Kampf (My Struggle) and outlined Nazi (My Struggle) and outlined Nazi party views and German problems (Jews).party views and German problems (Jews).

Soon after became Der Fuhrer or “The Soon after became Der Fuhrer or “The Leader” by winning election and eliminating Leader” by winning election and eliminating oppositionopposition

Europe in WarEurope in War

►Mussolini and Hitler make alliance in 1936Mussolini and Hitler make alliance in 1936►Both men wanted to push their views and Both men wanted to push their views and

powers across Europepowers across Europe►Germany, Italy and later joined by Japan Germany, Italy and later joined by Japan

became known as the “Axis Powers”became known as the “Axis Powers”►Germany began taking countries by force Germany began taking countries by force

including Austria and Czechoslovakiaincluding Austria and Czechoslovakia

Europe in WarEurope in War

►After Germany threatened Poland, After Germany threatened Poland, France and Britain declared war.France and Britain declared war.

►Germany quickly seized Poland with a Germany quickly seized Poland with a military method called military method called blitzkriegblitzkrieg or or lightning war.lightning war. Blitzkrieg:Blitzkrieg: Quick air strikes, tanks and Quick air strikes, tanks and

artillery to overpower larger militias; in artillery to overpower larger militias; in this case Poland.this case Poland.

Nazis Advance FurtherNazis Advance Further

►The advancing German captured many The advancing German captured many countries in three-month period:countries in three-month period: Denmark Denmark NorwayNorway BelgiumBelgium NetherlandsNetherlands France (May 10 – June 14)France (May 10 – June 14)

Battle of BritainBattle of Britain

►Nazis next target was BritainNazis next target was Britain►From December 1940 – June 1941, From December 1940 – June 1941,

Nazis launched the greatest air assault Nazis launched the greatest air assault in history to date.in history to date.

►1,000 planes a day bombed Britain1,000 planes a day bombed Britain►Hitler finally decided to end bombing Hitler finally decided to end bombing

and Britain used this as a spirit of and Britain used this as a spirit of defiance.defiance.

Japan’s Emerging EmpireJapan’s Emerging Empire

►Depression also hit Japan hard Depression also hit Japan hard economicallyeconomically

► Japan saw how Germany and Italy were Japan saw how Germany and Italy were expanding control in its region and expanding control in its region and wanted much the same in Asiawanted much the same in Asia

► Islands that were colonies of Europeans Islands that were colonies of Europeans were easy targetswere easy targets

►FDR angered by these efforts began FDR angered by these efforts began imposing trade sanctionsimposing trade sanctions

American InvolvementAmerican Involvement

► Isolationism:Isolationism: America would stay out of America would stay out of other nations’ quarrelsother nations’ quarrels

►FDR however saw that war was FDR however saw that war was probably unavoidable and started to probably unavoidable and started to help other countrieshelp other countries

►Lend-Lease Act (March 1941):Lend-Lease Act (March 1941): Aid any Aid any nation whose defense was believed to nation whose defense was believed to be vital to American security – be vital to American security – “We “We must be the great arsenal of must be the great arsenal of democracy.”democracy.”