World War 2

What happened in the 1930s to start World War II

Italy, Germany, and Japan tried to build new empires. At first, other countries did not stop them.

When/Why did World War II begin

1939, Germany invaded Poland, this caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany

Axis Powers

Germany, Italy, Japan

Allied Powers

France, Britain, later joined by the Soviet Union, China, and the United States.

What made WWII different from other wars

Bigger area, more destruction, civilians involved, and advanced technology.

What happened after the U.S. and Soviet Union joined the Allies

The Allies started winning and the war turned in their favor.

When did World War II end

1945

Effects of World War II ending

Huge loss of life and property, United Nations formed, Europe split between communist East and democratic West.

Causes of WW2

• Italy, Germany, and Japan wanted empires and were very nationalistic

• Treaty of Versailles failed

• League of Nations was weak

• Great Depression made countries want to avoid war

• Countries followed appeasement, letting aggressors get what they wanted

Appeasement

Giving in to aggressive demands to avoid conflict and keep peace.

How did appeasement fail

Hitler kept taking land. Other countries did not stop him.

What did Japan do in Asia before WWII

• 1931: Took over Manchuria (part of China)

• 1937: Invaded mainland China and major cities

What did Italy do in Africa before WWII

• 1935: Invaded and conquered Ethiopia

• The League of Nations tried to help but wasn’t strong enough

What did Germany do in Europe before WWII

• Rebuilt the army (against Treaty of Versailles)

• 1936: Took Rhineland (border with France)

• 1938: Took Austria and Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia)

Munich Conference

In 1938, other countries let Germany take land to keep peace.

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis

Germany, Italy, and Japan agreed to work together and not stop each other from conquering more land.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

In 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union agreed not to attack each other.

Italy before/during WW2

Although Italy was with the allies in WW1, it switched back to being allies with Germany under Mussolini

When did WW2 happen

1939 - 1945

Why did Germany, Italy, and Japan want more land

They wanted to build empires and gain power

What caused the U.S. to join WW2

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Holocaust

The murder of 6 million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany

What major event happened on D-Day

Allied troops invaded France on June 6, 1944 to fight back against Germany.

How did World War 2 end in Europe

Germany surrendered in May 1945.

How did World War 2 end in Asia

The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered in August 1945.

What happened after WW2

The United Nations was formed to help keep peace. Europe was divided into communist East and democratic West.

What happened to Germany after WW2

Germany was divided into East Germany (communist) and West Germany (democratic).