World War II
I. World War II before US
A. Causes
1. Rise of dictators
a. Adolph Hitler leads Germany with Nazism including anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews)
b. Benito Mussolini leads Italy with fascism (gov’t controls all aspects and uses terror)
2. Failure of League of Nations
a. Hitler builds up military power against Versailles Treaty and L of N does nothing
b. Hitler annexed Austria making it part of Germany
3. German expansion
a. After getting Austria, Hitler goes after western Czechoslovakia
b. At Munich Conference British Prime Minister Chamberlain gives in
c. This is appeasement (giving in to aggressor to avoid war)
4. Attacks by Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan)
a. 1939 Hitler signed non-aggression pact with USSR
b. invaded Poland
c. Britain and France declare war
d. 1941 Hitler broke pact and invades USSR
e. Japan invaded China and Southeast Asia
B. US as Neutral Power
1. Congress passes series of laws trying to keep US out of war.
2. Neutrality Acts (1934-1937)
a. Americas cannot travel on ships of nations at war
b. Cannon sell arms to countries at war
c. Preventing the same problems from WWI
3. Roosevelt makes preparations to go to war
a. Increase spending on army and navy
b. 1940 first peacetime draft takes place for men 21-23
c. 1941 Congress passes law allowing government to send or lend war materials fighting Axis powers
II. World War II and the US involvement
A. Causes
1. Japan’s aggressive actions in Asia
a. 1937 Japan invades China
b. takes over parts of Southeast Asia
2. US cuts off all US trade with Japan
a. Only resume if Japan withdraws forces
3. December 7, 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
4. December 8, US declares war on Japan
5. Germany and Italy declare war on US
B. War Against Germany
1. agreement to concentrate on Europe first
2. Hitler wanted to reorganize Europe on racial lines
a. Germans new ruling class
b. Exterminate Jews, Gypsies, Poles any disabled people = Holocaust
3. By end of 1940 France is defeated and under Hitler’s control
4. Hitler invades USSR and is stopped by the Russian winter
a. Russian troops refuse to give up
b. USSR fights for 2 years and pushes Germany back in 1943
5. US opens second front against Germany in late 1942
6. Allies (Britain, France, US, USSR) defeat German forces in North Africa
a. Move into Italy
b. Move up Italy toward central Europe
7. D-Day June 6, 1944 Allied troops land on French coast
a. Advance to Paris and liberate it
8. US, German, British and French forces invade Germany from west
9. USSR invades from east
10. by spring 1945 USSR captured German capital
11. Hitler commits suicide and Germany surrenders
C. War Against Japan
1. After Pearl Harbor, Japan controlled Philippines and other territories in Asia
2. 1943 US Navy begins to overpower Japan
a. Americans began island hopping
b. Liberating islands from Japan
3. Once Germany is defeated began to plan for invasion of Japan
4. Truman learns invasion would coast 1 million casualties for US
a. Decided to use new weapon on Japan
b. Atomic bomb planned for Germany but never used against them
5. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are chose for targets
a. Both had military production centers
b. Over 200, 000 die due to bombing
6. US allows Japanese emperor to remain as symbol, and Japan surrenders
D. Home Front
1. US sets up a draft all men 18-45
a. US has segregated troops
b. Women also enlisted
2. American factories changed to wartime production
a. Command economy
b. Women and African-Americans take men places
c. Produced large numbers of ships, tanks, airplanes and guns
3. Support war financially
a. Taxes raised
b. War bonds sold
4. Forced Relocation of Japanese Americans
a. FDR orders removal of all Japanese Americans to relocation centers
b. Most forced to sell property and belongings quickly
c. Lived in primitive crowded conditions
d. Supreme Court upholds it in Korematsu v. US
5. War time rations established
III. Results of World War II
A. Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946)
1. after discovery of bodies in concentration camps, Allies put Nazis on trial
a. crimes against humanity
b. Nuremberg Germany
2. most found guilty and put to death or imprisoned for life
3. principle that people should disobey orders that are obviously immoral
4. people are responsible for their actions even in wartime
B. Division of Germany
1. occupied by US, Great Britain, France and USSR
2. divided into four occupation zones
3. leads to division into two states East and West Germany
C. Occupation of Japan
1. American forces occupied post war Japan
2. overseas empire taken away
3. military leaders put on trial
a. charged with war crimes
b. premier and other leaders executed
4. Emperor Hirohito remained on throne
5. General Douglas Macarthur assigned to rebuild Japanese gov’t and economy
a. Japan renounced war and use of nuclear weapons
b. Forbidden from having army or navy
c. New constitution went into effect May 1947 (democracy)
D. Mass Destruction
1. North Africa, East Asia, Europe and USSR felt massive destruction
2. 50 million dead
3. European nations too weak to prevent colonies from getting independence
E. Rise of Superpowers
1. US and USSR left as superpowers
2. different political and economic systems led to tension
F. Formation of United Nations
1. need for international peace-keeping organization
2. goals:
a. preserve peace
b. promote international cooperation
c. end hunger and disease
d. improve education around the world
3. has own peacekeeping forces
4. all major powers of world joined
5. General Assembly
a. Place to discuss problems affecting world peace
b. International issues
c. Recommends action to Security Council
d. All countries have voice there
6. Security Council
a. Executive branch
b. Carries out US decisions
c. 5 permanent members have power to veto UN actions
d. 10 non-permanent members without veto power serve two year terms
7. Secretariat
a. Headed by Secretary General chosen by General Assembly
b. Serves for five years
c. Oversees day to day running of UN
d. Brings before Security Council matters that threaten world peace
8. Agencies:
a. Work to improve health, education, human welfare
b. World Health Organization
c. UNICEF ( Children)
d. World Bank