World War II

The Beginning of the War

World War II In Europe, Hitler and Germany were

running wild as Great Britain and France continued to appease him.

The same was happening in Asia with Japan. China and other countries were also trying to appease Tojo.

World War IIChina went as far as to allow Japan to

govern certain parts of China.

This still was not enough to make Tojo happy.

World War IIBack in Europe…

1936 - Hitler and Mussolini signed an agreement that states they will remain allies throughout the upcoming war.

This agreement was called the Rome-Berlin Axis.

World War IILater that year Japan joined this

agreement and they were known as the Axis Powers.

Hitler then went on Russia and signed an agreement stating that Germany and Russia were allies also.

World War II1939 – Hitler had broken many deals

with European countries.

September 1, 1939 Hitler broke another deal.

Hitler invaded Poland and brought war to Europe!

World War IIHe stunned the world by launching a

blitzkrieg on Poland.

Blitzkrieg – “Lightning War” use of tanks and airplanes to roll over an entire country very quickly.

World War IIPoland surrendered within weeks and

Germany continued on to the next country.

Britain and France finally responded to Hitler by declaring war on Germany.

World War IIThis is the beginning of World War II in

Europe.

Germany went on to conquer both Norway and Denmark in 1940.

World War IIBy May 1940, Germany was

attacking:Belgium

The Netherlands

France

World War IIFrance soon fell to Germany and the

leader of France, Charles De Gaulle, moved to Great Britain.

From Great Britain, de Gaulle led the French resistance known as the Free France Movement.

World War IIAugust 1940 - Hitler ordered the

German Air Force to begin bombing Great Britain.

These series of bombings became known as the “Battle of Britain”.

World War IIThe British Royal Air Force (RAF) fought

the Germans in the skies and saved Great Britain from being destroyed.

Hitler then began to blockade Great Britain by using submarines to sink all ships coming into or out of Great Britain.

World War IIHitler shifted his attention off Great

Britain and instead began to focus on Eastern Europe and Russia.

Hitler attacked Russia in 1941 regardless of the peace treaty, Russia and Germany had signed years earlier.

Pearl HarborDecember 7, 1941 – Japan used a

surprise attack to eliminate the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan saw America as an obstacle to their empire in Asia.

Pearl HarborJapan needed natural resources that

were located in mainland Asia.

The natural resources were: Oil Coal Rubber Iron

Pearl HarborStrategic Materials - any goods to

Japan that could possibly be used for war.

These materials included oil and scrap metal.

Pearl HarborAt this point, Japan relied heavily on

American Oil.

Japan got 80% of its oil from America before WWII.

Pearl HarborSo in response to this embargo (refusal

to trade with a country), Japan attacked the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The attack took place at 7:30 Am Sunday December 7, 1941.

Pearl HarborThe next day, December 8, 1941: The

U.S. declared war on Japan.

This was the event that entered the U.S. into WWII.

Pearl HarborWhen Germany and Italy declared war

on America, We were forced to fight WWII on two fronts (theatres).

Europe - against Germany and Italy

Asia - against Japan