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World War II

World War II . The Years Between. 1919-1931. New Ideas Challenge the Past. Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity: Space and time can change when measured relative to an object moving at the speed of light Challenged absolute laws of motion and gravity (Newton).

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World War II

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  1. World War II

  2. The Years Between 1919-1931

  3. New Ideas Challenge the Past • Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity: • Space and time can change when measured relative to an object moving at the speed of light • Challenged absolute laws of motion and gravity (Newton)

  4. New Ideas Challenge the Past • Airplanes, automobiles change the way people travel • Radios and movies spread news and ideas more quickly

  5. New Ideas Challenge the Past • Society became more open: women cutting their hair, wearing shorter dresses • “Roaring 20s” • In the U.S. the 1920s are great years—lots of growth, lots of money

  6. Europe After the Great War • Every major European country was bankrupt (only Japan and U.S. came out richer than before) • New democracies in Germany, Austria, Turkey, etc. were unstable • Coalition governments (temporary alliances of political parties to gain power) never lasted long

  7. Coalition Governments Parties existing before World War II Bavarian People's Party The Anarchy Party Centre Party - Communist Party of Germany Communist Party Opposition Conservative People's Party Free Conservative Party General German Workers' Association Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany German Conservative Party German Democratic Party German National People's Party German People's Party German Progress Party German Racialist Freedom Party German Workers' Party National Liberal Party National Socialist German Workers' Party - aka the Nazi Party (NSDAP) (1919-1945) Progressive People's Party Social Democratic Party of Germany Social Democratic Workers' Party of Germany Social Democratic Party of Germany Socialist Workers' Party of Social Democratic Party of Germany Socialist Workers' Party of Germany

  8. Crisis in Germany • The Weimar Republic was Germany’s new gov’t • Several major parties and many minor ones • Weimar Repub. was blamed for the Treaty of Versailles—because they signed it • Germany’s economy had collapsed—inflation (value of money goes down, prices go up) was out of control

  9. The Dawes Plan • In 1924, the U.S. loaned $200 million to stabilize the German economy • By 1929, Germany is recovering nicely

  10. The Great Depression • By the late 1920s, the world economy was balanced on the success of the U.S. economy. If the U.S. economy weakened, the rest of the world would follow. • Tuesday, October 29, 1929, the U.S. Stock Exchange collapses. • Unemployment rates went up as production and wages went down

  11. U.S. banks removed their investments in Europe, causing a collapse of funds in Europe. • Germany and Austria were very hard hit because of war debts and need for U.S. loans. • Britain, France, and Scandinavian countries came out okay.

  12. Perfect Timing As a result of misery, Germans look for someone to blame, and for someone to help

  13. The Beginning of WWII

  14. Rise of Fascism • Fascism: emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader • Fascist parties generally made up of the wealthy, war veterans, and lower middle class (but not exclusively)

  15. Benito Mussolini In Italy • As the economy got worse, and fear on communism grew, Mussolini’s party gained more support • The “Il Duce” (leader) forced a military takeover in 1922 • Outlawed all parties except the Fascists • Secret police jailed political opponents • Radio, newspapers, and movies were gov’t controlled

  16. Hitler Takes Control in Germany • A small party, the Nazi party (Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party) appealed to a wide variety of Germans, but mainly middle class • Because of his ability to speak, became “der Fuhrer” the leader of the party

  17. Hitler Takes Control in Germany • Tries to seize power in 1923, failed, and put in jail (Munich Beer Hall Putsch) • Hitler decided the best way to get power was through LEGAL means • By 1932, people have turned to Hitler and his party for leadership • In 1933 Hitler is named Chancellor and strengthens his position

  18. Hitler Takes Control in Germany • In 1933, the Reichstag catches on fire, communists are blamed, and Hitler uses the event to suspend civil liberties in Germany • In 1934, Hitler orders the Nazi SS and Gestapo (secret police) to kill various “brown shirts” (SA) who were the original members of the party—now they were too much trouble

  19. World Drifts Towards War • Military takes control in Japan, Japan invades Manchuria 1931 • In 1937, Japan invades China (the rape of Nanking) • Mussolini attacks Ethiopia in 1935

  20. World Drifts Toward War • 1934-- Germany and the Soviet Union agree not to attack each other (secret Non-aggression Treaty)

  21. World Drifts Toward War • 1935 Plebiscite (vote) returns Saar to Germany • 1936--Hitler ignores the Treaty of Versailles, rearms Germany, and moves troops into the Rhineland—Britain and France say nothing

  22. World Drifts Toward War • This reaction leads Hitler to speed up military and territorial expansion.

  23. World Drifts Toward War • In 1936, Germany Italy and Japan sign an alliance, creating the Axis Powers • March 1938—Annexation of Austria (Anschluss)

  24. World Drifts Toward War • 1938--At the Munich Conference, Hitler agrees to not take any more military action as long as he is granted the Sudetenland.

  25. World Drifts Towards War • The policy used by France and Great Britain was called appeasement: trying to keep Hitler from advancing a war by keeping Germany pleased.

  26. World Drifts Toward War • 1939-- Six months later he takes Czechoslovakia

  27. The War Begins September 1, 1939

  28. The War Begins • Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland • “blitzkrieg” lightning war • Used air attacks to disable air fields • Followed by large tank and infantry advances • G.B. and France declare war but can’t do anything to help Poland • Poland surrenders in 4 weeks

  29. The War Begins • The Phony War: Sitzkrieg “waiting war” • France is waiting for German attack along the reinforced Manginot Line • April 1940, Germany attacks Denmark and Norway instead • Denmark falls in four hours, Norway in two months

  30. The War Begins • May 1940, Germany invades Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands • While Allies are busy Germany sends even greater troops through the forest behind them • By the end of May, British and French troops are trapped at Dunkirk

  31. France surrenders June 22, 1940 • Fall of France • Hitler now wants to invade Great Britain, but in order to do so, he must destroy the Royal Air Force first • The Battle of Britain

  32. Important Leaders of WWII– Allied Powers

  33. Important Leaders of WWII– Axis Powers

  34. U.S. Policy in WWII • From 1939-1941 the U.S. was practicing isolationism (minding their own business). • In March 1941, Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the U.S. to aid the Allied powers (mainly Britain) with supplies and money

  35. Meanwhile…

  36. Japan Builds A Pacific Empire • Beginning in 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, then China, Korea and Taiwan • In 1941-42 began “Asia for Asians” policy taking territories away from the U.S. and Europe • Vietnam (France) • Philippines (U.S.) • The Japanese are uncomfortable with the U.S. Navy presence in the Pacific

  37. Pearl Harbor: A Day That Will Live in Infamy • U.S. Naval fleet based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii • Japanese surprise attack on December 7, 1941 • 2,400 killed • 1,000 wounded • 18 ships sunk/damaged • Shortly after, Congress declares war on Japan and Germany

  38. WWII The End of World War II

  39. End of the War In Europe • The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the German army • Allies begin firebombing Dresden and other German targets • By March 1945, Allied troops had entered Germany

  40. End of the War In Europe • April 12, 1945 President Roosevelt dies • Truman becomes president • By April 25, with Berlin surrounded by Russians, Hitler and his wife commit suicide

  41. V-E Day • On May 7, 1945 the U.S. accepted the unconditional surrender of the German Third Reich

  42. End of the War in the Pacific • General MacArthur believed that taking every island would be costly in lives and materials • “island hopping” focuses on less defended islands and only attacking islands that are strategically placed

  43. End of the War in the Pacific • The firebombing of Tokyo was designed to weaken the resolve of the Japanese to fight the war

  44. The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb • President Truman decided to drop the bomb on the Japanese to hasten their surrender. • It was estimated that at least 500,000 Allied troops would die in a Japanese land invasion, the bomb was supposed to lesson the cost

  45. The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb • Japan surrenders on September 2.

  46. Postwar Europe

  47. Postwar Europe • Europe experienced famine and harsh winter after the war • New governments had to be established in Germany and Italy

  48. Postwar Europe • Germany was divided into occupation zones • U.S. had Western half of Germany • Soviet Union had Eastern half of Germany • U.S. establish several military bases in Italy, Germany, and Great Britain

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