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Created resentment and economic hardship in Germany → fertile ground for extremist leaders -
League of Nations protests, but no real punishment -
sanctions weak, Mussolini keeps Ethiopia -
direct violation of Versailles, but Britain/France do nothing -
Slowly shifts policy -
Germany annexes Austria → no resistance -
to aid Britain and later USSR -
Britain France give Hitler the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia (appeasement) -
FDR called international meeting in Evian, France, to address refugee crisis. 32 nations attended → most expressed sympathy, but refused to loosen immigration laws. Dominican Republic offered to take 100,000 Jews; very few other commitments made. Nazi leaders mocked the conference, noting the world’s unwillingness to help. -
Hitler Stalin agree not to fight, secretly divide Poland -
FDR Churchill agree on war goals (self-determination, democracy) -
Proposed admission of 20,000 Jewish refugee children outside quotas. Faced strong opposition in Congress and failed. Polls: over 60% of Americans opposed raising immigration quotas even for children. Result: children who might have been saved were left behind in Europe. -
Luxury liner with 930+ Jewish refugees fleeing Germany. Denied entry in Cuba, U.S., and Canada despite pleas for asylum. Forced back to Europe; about 250 passengers later murdered in the Holocaust. Became symbol of the world’s refusal to help. -
Goal: Germany’s U-boats tried to starve Britain by sinking supply ships. U.S. Role: Convoys, Liberty ship production, sonar, radar, long-range aircraft. Turning Point: 1943 → Allies gained control of Atlantic shipping lanes. Territorial Impact: Britain remained supplied → staging ground for D-Day.
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WWII officially begins; Britain France declare war -
“lightning war”
a World War II German military tactic involving a fast, concentrated, and mobile attack using armored tanks, mechanized infantry, artillery, and close air support to achieve rapid, decisive victories by bypassing and paralyzing the enemy's defenses. -
U.S. gave old navy ships to Britain in exchange for bases.
This showed America was still not in the war, but no longer truly neutral. -
German bombing campaign, but RAF resists -
revealed consequences of inaction → “Never Again” became rallying cry. When the United States entered WWII, the main goal was defeating the Axis Powers — not yet to stop the Holocaust. However, as Allied forces moved into Europe, they uncovered evidence of Nazi crimes that shocked the world. The Holocaust was largely hidden from the Allies during early years. American soldiers’ eyewitness accounts remain central to Holocaust history.
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Before: U.S. tried to stay neutral, leaning toward helping allies through supplies.
After: U.S. fully embraced internationalism, entering WWII and becoming a global leader.
Japan launches surprise attack on U.S. naval base in Hawaii
Over 2,400 Americans killed, battleships and planes destroyed
Next day, FDR: “a date which will live in infamy” → U.S. declares war on Japan
Germany Italy declare war on U.S. → America fully enters WWII
full American entry into the war -
Goal: Japan aimed to cut off Australia by taking Port Moresby. U.S. Role: Carriers Lexington Yorktown fought entirely by aircraft. Turning Point: Japan’s advance southward halted; Australia safe as Allied base. Territorial Impact: Prevented Japan from isolating Australia and dominating South Pacific. -
Goal: Japan tried to lure U.S. carriers into ambush. U.S. Role: Codebreakers revealed plan; U.S. ambushed Japan instead. Turning Point: 4 Japanese carriers sunk; Japan permanently weakened. Territorial Impact: Ended Japanese expansion, shifted Pacific war to Allied offense -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the War Refugee Board (WRB), the first U.S. government agency devoted to saving Holocaust victims. Worked with diplomats and resistance networks to rescue Jews and refugees. Credited with saving about 200,000 lives (through safe havens, visas, and funds). Collaborated with Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands in Hungary. -
Goal: Hitler’s last counteroffensive in Ardennes to split Allies. U.S. Role: 600,000 Americans fought; 101st Airborne held Bastogne. Turning Point: Germany’s final reserves destroyed; Allies pushed into Germany. Territorial Impact: Opened path to Berlin → Germany’s defeat inevitable.
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Goal: Liberate Nazi-controlled France, open second front. U.S. Role: Led massive amphibious invasion → 156,000 troops (73,000 U.S.). Turning Point: Secured foothold in Normandy → Allied advance into Europe. Territorial Impact: France, Belgium, Netherlands liberated → Germany forced to retreat. -
U.S. helped found the United Nations
Founded in San Francisco in 1945 with the goal of maintaining peace and preventing future global conflict.
Replaced the League of Nations—this time the U.S. joined and took a leading role.
U.S. became a founding member of the UN Security Council, influencing major international decisions.
Promoted diplomacy, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts. -
held in Germany. 22 major Nazi leaders tried by an international military tribunal. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson served as chief prosecutor. Charges included war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy. Established the idea that individuals — not just nations — can be held accountable.
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Goal: Secure base for invasion of Japan. U.S. Role: 180,000 troops landed; fierce kamikaze attacks. Turning Point: U.S. captured island but with massive losses. Territorial Impact: Base 350 miles from Japan → convinced U.S. leaders to use atomic bomb instead of invasion.
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Soldiers found tens of thousands of starving prisoners and piles of corpses. Many soldiers were traumatized by what they saw. Liberators provided food, medical care, and shelter for survivors. -
The Enola Gay, a B-52 bomber, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima
Little Boy killed 70,000 people in the explosion, 60,000 from burns or radiation poisoning a few months later, and 110,000 were wounded or missing. -
Fat man killed 25,000 people in the explosion and 55,000 people were wounded or missing.
August 14, 1945 - Soviets take Manchuria and Korea. Stalin wanted some of Japan’s holdings in the final peace agreement. -
The formal surrender agreement, ending the war in the Pacific was signed -
August 14, 1945 - Japanese and American officials began negotiations to end the war. The Japanese would surrender with one condition… their emperor Hirohito would be allowed to keep his throne. The allies agreed.
September 2, 1945 - The formal surrender agreement, ending the war in the Pacific was signed; V-J Day. -
economic and military aid to nations resisting communism. -
Holocaust education became part of ensuring “Never Again.” American soldiers’ eyewitness accounts remain central to Holocaust history. U.S. supported the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -
Helped rebuild Western Europe’s economies; U.S. supported democratic institutions in West Germany. -
The U.S. built alliances: NATO to protect Western democracies.