27 AMSCO WHAP

World War II Overview

• Inspirational Quote by Winston Churchill on determination against Nazi Germany.

Causes of World War II

• Great Depression Impact: Economic instability led to the rise of ideologies: fascism in Germany/Italy, militarism in Japan, and communism.

• Adolf Hitler's Role: Belief in Aryan superiority spurred territorial expansion and persecution of minorities.

The Path to War

• Treaty of Versailles Effects: Resentment over military limitations led to rearmament.

• Early Aggressions (1936): Occupation of the Rhineland; policy of appeasement from Britain.

• Axis Powers Formation: Alliances between Germany, Italy, and Japan, including the Rome-Berlin Axis.

Major Events Leading to Conflict

• Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Support for Franco by Germany and Italy; bombing of Guernica.

• Anschluss: Annexation of Austria in 1938.

• Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia (1938-1939): Munich Agreement; later invasion of Czechoslovakia.

• Polish Invasion: Non-aggression pact with Soviets; invasion on September 1, 1939 marks the start of WWII.

Japan’s Imperial Expansion

• Early Aggressions: Invasion of Manchuria in 1931; Nanjing Massacre in 1937.

Major Battles and Turning Points

• Blitzkrieg Strategy: Swift German attacks through Europe.

• Battle of Britain (1940): Failed German invasion attempt.

• Eastern Front: Operation Barbarossa's initial success leads to severe losses in harsh winter.

Allied Responses

• Support for Britain: Increasing U.S. involvement (Destroyers-for-Bases, Lend-Lease Act).

• Key Defeats: Allies gain momentum with victories at El Alamein and Stalingrad.

• Pearl Harbor Attack (1941): U.S. declares war, leading to rapid Japanese conquests.

Last Years of War

• D-Day (1944): Critical Allied invasion of Normandy.

• V-E Day (1945): Germany surrenders after Hitler's suicide.

• Victory Over Japan: Atomic bombings lead to Japan's surrender.

Casualties and Consequences

• Over 40 million deaths; the Holocaust led to six million Jewish deaths.

• Japanese Occupation Policies: Brutality in occupied territories.

Post-War Planning

• Allied Conferences: Discussed post-war alliances, establishment of the United Nations.

• Historical Perspectives: Factors contributing to Allied victory include air power, economic stability, and military strategies.