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The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War One. The terms of the treaty required that Germany pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies (Library of Congress).
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Adolf Hitler, a German dictator, took advantage of Germany's problems. He rearmed Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles and began threatening Germany's neighbors. Germany began demanding land and took the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Proceeded from a cultural, religious, or political opposition to the materials in question. Nazi German authorities aimed to synchronize professional and cultural organizations with Nazi ideology and policy. Destroyed ideas of Jewish authors. "The ominous symbolism of...bonfires is that there is a government in Germany which means to teach its people that their salvation lies in violence (PBS)."
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The Gestapo were the secret police established by the Nazis to investigate alleged enemies of the state. These groups were sent to round up members of the European Jewish population, communists/leftists, Romani-Sinti, homosexuals and sent many of them to concentration camps. These groups were given extraordinary power with very little/if any judicial oversight by German courts. (Encyclopedia Britannica.)
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With death of German President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler becomes absolute dictator of Germany. German army took oath of allegiance to its new commander-in-chief, and last remnants of Germany’s democratic government were dismantled to make way for Hitler’s Third Reich. As economy improved, popular support for Hitler’s regime became strong. The Fuhrer assured his people that Third Reich would last for thousand years, but Nazi Germany collapsed just 11 years later. (History.com)
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Franklin Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act, which he calls an “expression of the desire…to avoid any action which might involve [the U.S.] in war.” The signing came at a time when newly installed fascist governments in Europe were beginning to beat the drums of war. Seen as response to Hitler’s March 1935 announcement that Germany would no longer honor Treaty of Versailles, which prohibited Germany from rebuilding military. (History.com)
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A series of neutrality acts in the 1930's that kept there US from being drawn into European conflicts, including the Spanish Civil War. As WW2 began, Franklin Roosevelt and Congress revised acts to allow arm trading. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Seeking raw materials to fuel its growing industries, Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria in 1931. By 1937 Japan controlled large sections of China, and war crimes against the Chinese became commonplace. The invasion ultimately led to the Second Sino-Japanese War and helped to increase tensions before World War II. (Study.com)
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The Nuremberg Laws were antisemitic and racist laws made at meeting of the Reichstag convened during annual Nuremberg Rally of the Nazi Party. Law stripping Jewish immigrants of German citizenship. Nazi regime announced two new laws related to race:The Reich Citizenship Law, The Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor, informally became known as Nuremberg Laws because they were first announced at a Nazi Party rally held in the German city of Nuremberg. (Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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British Prime Minister flew to Germany to meet with Hitler; discussed whether or not Hitler will leave Czechoslovakia alone after annexing the Sudetenland. Hitler promised the Prime Minister that he will stay peaceful and that he isn't after war. France and Britain did not trust Hitler but agreed to a policy of appeasement.(Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Great Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler. In the Munich Pact, they agreed to grant him part of Czechoslovakia in return of peace, but Hitler continued his territorial expansion. Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered WW2. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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The government required Jews to identify themselves in ways that would permanently separate them from the rest of the German population.All German Jews were obliged to carry identity cards that indicated their heritage, and, in the autumn of 1938, all Jewish passports were stamped with an identifying red letter “J”. As Nazi leaders quickened their war preparations, antisemitic legislation in Germany and Austria paved the way for more radical persecution of Jews (Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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Nazi officials described actions as justifiable responses of German population to assassination of German diplomatic official. This violence against Jews made international outrage. 30,000 Jewish men were rounded up and taken to concentration camps. Was first time Nazi officials made massive arrests of Jews because they were Jews, without further cause for arrest. In aftermath of Kristallnacht, regime ordered Jewish community to pay 1 billion Reichsmark “atonement tax"(Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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After Hitler promised Stalin and the USSR a portion of Poland in return for neutrality in the war, Germany marched to Poland on September 1, 1939, causing WW2 to be declared by France and Britain 2 days later, as they warned Germany that if it made further attacks on small states, they would declare war. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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European Theatre of WW2 stretched across entire continent, from Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. Also encompassed campaigns in Middle East and North Africa. Saw some of most intense fighting of WW2 and involved some of most significant events of war, including: the Holocaust, the use of atomic weapons and end of famous dictators. Battle of France, Battle of Britain, Battle of Leningrad, The Battle of Stalingrad, Operation Torch, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Berlin, D-Day (PBS Learning).
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After Hitler promised Stalin and the USSR a portion of Poland in return for neutrality in the war, Russia marched to Poland on September 17, 1939, to get their portion of the deal which was a portion of Poland and a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. USSR invaded Poland from east and Polish government fled country the same day. Because of non-aggression pact, Germany and USSr split Poland on Sept 29, 1939. Demarcation line was along Bug River. (Lesson 34 Textbook/Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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The Neutrality Act of 1939 had a "cash-and-carry" provision where nations had to pay in cash for materials before transporting them in their own ship, a bill passed by Roosevelt to allow the US to support Britain and France without being provoked into war and staying neutral. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Britain's victory in the Battle of Britain demonstrated the courage and resilience of the country's military and its people and allowed them to remain free from Nazi occupation. It also enabled the Americans to establish a base of operations in England to invade Normandy on D-Day in 1944. It kept Nazi materials of war focused on Britain, steeled the will of the British people to find the war to the end, and demonstrated that the Nazis were not invincible (History.com).
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Isolationism lost its appeal to US because of open support of Allied Powers, Hitler wanted to keep US out of war. Germany strengthened alliances by having Italy and Japan join forces, signing Tripartite Pact and creating Axis Powers, agreeing to provide mutual support if US joins. Creates a larger threat for the US if it joins, as they would be fighting a two front war against Europe and Asia, which Hitler hopes will keep the US in neutrality. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Germany quickly occupied most of Europe and threatened to invade Britain. As German bombers ravaged British cities, US decided top help Britain by passing the Lend-Lease Act. This law allowed the US to lend arms to Britain, and later on, the USSR. Done because of Britain nearing bankruptcy, so Roosevelt urged Congress to create a plan to lend, not sell, arms to Britain. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Was the deliberate and systematic mass murder of European Jews. The last stage of the Holocaust and took place from 1941 to 1945. The majority of Jewish victims were murdered during this period. Hermann Göring, writing under instructions from Hitler, ordered Reinhard Heydrich, SS general, “to submit to me as soon as possible a general plan of the administrative material and financial measures necessary for carrying out the desired final solution of the Jewish question (Holocaust Encyclopedia)."
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British leader Churchill and Roosevelt met in secret in Canadian Territory to prepare a declaration of common principles called Atlantic Charter. Promised not to use war as a way to expand their own territory and assert right of all peoples to self government. 3 months later, Congress voted to allow US merchant ships to arm themselves and sail to Britain. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Hirohito presided over invasion of China, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the Japanese surrender to the Allies. Hideki Tojo was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army who served as Japan's prime minister from 1941-1944. He vocally supported Japanese expansion and a pre-emptive attack on the US and European colonial powers. Hirohito, who was emperor was the nation's highest spiritual authority and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, essentially fired the prime minister in 1929 (History.com)
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On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. This was caused by the US attempting to undercut japan's aggression by interfering with China. US intelligence officers decoded Japan's plan to attack, but assumed it was a base in the Philippines they were after. Ended up being Pearl Harbor and killed over 2400 Americans and wounded 1200. This attack caused the US to declare war on Japan and enter WW2 the next day. (Lesson 34 Textbook)
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Was so brutal because many Japanese soldiers refused to be taken prisoner. Such tactics, coupled with American racial prejudice, turned the Pacific Theater into a more brutal and barbarous conflict than the European Theater. Fighting included largest naval battles in history and massive Allied air raids over Japan, as well as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Attack on Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (National Park Service. gov).
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Nazi leadership implement the "Final Solution," the systematic mass murder of European Jewry. Unlike concentration camps, which served primarily as detention and labor centers, killing centers were places which focused almost exclusively on the mass murder of Jews as part of the “Final Solution." Would involve the deportation and murder of 11 million Jews. Sought to portray the deportations as a "resettlement" of the Jewish population in labor camps in the "East." (Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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Because of the mainland press inciding fears that Japanese Americans were disloyal to America and loyal to Japan, Roosevelt passed the Executive Order 9066, which declared that large military zones could be set up to exclude current residents who were believed to be a threat to security. (Lesson 35)
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The attack on Pearl Harbor also launched a rash of fear about national security, especially on the West Coast. In February 1942, just two months later, President Roosevelt, as commander-in-chief, issued Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans (National Archives).
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Auschwitz initially served as detention center for political prisoners. Evolved into a network of camps where Jewish people and other perceived enemies of Nazi state were exterminated, often in gas chambers, or used as slave labor. Prisoners were also subjected to barbaric medical experiments. During WW2, more than 1 million people lost their lives at Auschwitz. January 1945, with Soviet army approaching, Nazi ordered the camp abandoned and sent 60,000 prisoners on forced march (History.com)."
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Before going through with offensive, to liberate Japanese-held territory in Pacific for US to move within B-29 striking distance, they had to stop Japanese expansion, achieved through Battle of Midway. The Americans intercepted Japanese message detailing plans for a major offensive, and they discovered that Japan's target was the US base at Midway, so the navy went there waiting for Japan. The US navy won; caused heavy losses to Japan. It was Japan's last offensive action. (Lesson 36)
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Soviet forces launched a counteroffensive against the Germans arrayed at Stalingrad in mid-November 1942. They quickly encircled an entire German army, more than 220,000 soldiers. In February 1943, after months of fierce fighting and heavy casualties, the surviving German forces—only about 91,000 soldiers—surrendered (Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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Strategy that enabled the Americans to shift offensive with limited resources. The US would bypass a heavily defended island to capture a nearby island that was not well defended. Captured island was used as an air base to bomb the defended island and prevent ships from reinforcements. Many of these island invasions came at a terrible cost. (Lesson 36)
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The 442d Regimental Combat Team (RCT) was activated on 1 February 1943, composed of American-born Japanese called "Nisei" (NEE-say), or second generation. Some volunteered from Hawaii, others from the ten relocation centers on the mainland.
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Warsaw ghetto uprising began after German troops and police entered the ghetto to deport its surviving inhabitants. Jewish insurgents inside the ghetto resisted these efforts. This was the largest uprising by Jews during World War II and the first significant urban revolt against German occupation in Europe. By May 16, Germans had crushed the uprising and deported surviving ghetto residents to concentration camps and killing centers (Holocaust Encyclopedia).
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The 332nd Fighter Group was officially activated on October 13, 1942, at TAAF. The Group was comprised of the 100th Fighter Squadron, the 301st Fighter Squadron, and the 302nd Fighter Squadron. Between 1944 and 1945, dozens of Black officers served as commanders of the 99th, 100th, 301st, and 302nd Fighter Squadrons. Although the 477th Bombardment Group trained with North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, they never served in combat (Tuskegee Airmen.org).
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The Allies invaded France on June 6, 1944, before sweeping into Germany and capturing Berlin. Hitler commited suicide and Germany surrendered.
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The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region of Belgium was Hitler’s last major offensive in WW2 against Western Front. Hitler’s aim was to split the Allies in their drive toward Germany. German troops’ failure to divide Britain, France and America with the Ardennes offensive paved the way to victory for the allies. It lasted 6 weeks, with the battle proving to be the costliest ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties. (History.com)
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Korematsu appealed the district court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which upheld both the conviction and the exclusion order. The Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal, and oral arguments were held on October 11, 1944. In its ruling, the Court upheld Korematsu's conviction (Britannica).
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Over 12,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, and marines died during fighting. Around Okinawa, Japanese launched largest kamikaze, or suicide, attack of war. Japanese planes rammed into allied ships, sinking 26 and severely damaging 168. Taking Okinawa would provide Allies an airbase where bombers can strike Japan + have anchorage for Allied fleets. From Okinawa, US can increase air strikes against Japan and blockade logistical routes, denying the home islands of vital commodities (National WW2 Museum).
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Marks end of WW2 in Europe. The war had been raging for almost five years when U.S. and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The invasion signaled the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. In less than a year, Germany would surrender and Hitler would be dead. But in his speech to the nation on V-E Day, President Truman cautioned that Allies must "work to finish the war" by defeating the Japanese in the Pacific. (US Department of Defense)
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ends.
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American B-29 bomber dropped world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion immediately killed estimated 80,000 people; tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. 3 days later, second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing estimated 40,000 people. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced country’s unconditional surrender in WW2 in a radio address on August 15, citing devastating power of “a new and most cruel bomb.” (History.com)
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Marks the end of WW2, one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in history. When President Truman announced on Aug. 14, 1945, that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, war-weary citizens around the world erupted in celebration. Americans began worrying about the postwar economy. (US Department of Defense/Lesson 37)
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ends.