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Benito Mussolini
Mussolini was the founder of the Fascist party which was an organization that trumpeted nationalism and promised to make Italy great again. In just within a few years, he was able to take control of the government and the army of Italy. -
Period: to
WWII
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Joseph Stalin
Stalin meaning “man of steel” which was an accurate description of his personality became head of the Communist party After Lenin’s death. He was harsh and had no mercy. He was responsible for the death of millions; this was known as the Great Terror. His efforts to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power caused many deaths. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was an agreement between many nations that would outlaw war. The treaty was made by secretary of state Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand. 62 Nations joined the treaty. Even though it was written down, it was unenforceable. And many were aware of this. -
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was a WWI soldier that led the Nazis party. He came to have so much power because of the promises he made. He promised that Germany would rise from the economic depression they were having and he also promised to make the country’s economy good again. He quickly rose up in the Nazi party to become Chancellor and then Dictator. He maintained his power by alternately brainwashing the public with lies. -
Third Reich
The third Reach, also known as the Nazis Party was a common name for Germany from the years1933-1945. This was the time period were Germanys government was controlled by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Workers Party. -
Quarantine Speech
The Quarantine Speech was a speech given by FDR that intensified Americans isolationist mood which caused a lot of protest and foes. Even though he didn’t exactly mention any countries it was clear that his speech was referring to Japan, Italy, and Germany. -
Munich Pact
The Munich Pact was a meeting between Hitler, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French Premier Edouard Daladier were they would discuss “peace for our time”. This however did not bring peace; it merely postponed the war for 11 months. -
Neutrality Acts
When the war in Europe broke out, the US decided to pass the Neutrality Acts. This would allow nations to buy goods and arms in the United States if they paid cash and carried the merchandise on their own ships. The cash and carry aided the allies since the British Navy had control over the seas. -
Non-Aggression Pact
On August 1939 Representatives from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union met and signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression pact where they promised not to attack each other. Germany had protected itself from fighting and in return the Soviet Union was awarded land. However the pact was broken when the Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union two years later. -
Blitzkrieg
War came to Europe when a massive attack from the Germans called Blitzkrieg or otherwise known as lighting war. It hit Poland from three different directions. This form of attack was where they would basically just attack them with everything they had. They destroyed Poland’s military completely and by the end of the month, Poland had fallen into defeat. -
Selective Services Act
After a heated debate between isolationists and interventionists, congress passed the selective service act. This would provide military training to 1.2 million troops and 800,000 reserve troops each year. -
Battle of Britain
In just 35 days, German had taken over France. Britain was next on Hitler’s list. Hitler’s plan to take over Britain, code named Operation Sea Lion, was depended on the air force. The Battle of Britain became an air battle that was fought over the English Channel and Great Britain. The British lost nearly 1,000 planes and many homes, buildings, and property was destroyed. However the British didn’t give up and continued to defend themselves. Sensing failure, Hitler decided to postpone the invasi -
Lend-Lease Act
When Britain ran out of money needed to pay for American aid, the president decided to once again help. The Lend Lease Act authorized Roosevelt to lend money to the allies. By the end of 1945, the United States had sent more than $40 Billion dollars to its allies including the Soviet Union. This Act turned into an economic declaration of war against Germany and the Axis powers. -
Emperor Hirohito
The emperor of Japan was greatly admired by its people. He was like the figurehead of Japan. When Japanese started getting aggressive and the attack on Pearl Harbor happened he had wanted to take the responsibility for it. -
Four Freedoms
On January 1941 Roosevelt wrote the “Four Freedom” Speech which was where he stated the freedoms that he believed everyone should have. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Want, and Freedom of Fear were the Four Freedoms he stated. -
Winston Churchill
President Roosevelt met with Prime Minister Churchill were they discussed Britain’s problems in the war and the hopes the world would have after Hitler’s defeat. They also signed the Atlantic Charter, a document that brought upon self-determination and “general security”. This document was also the alliance of the two nations. -
Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge in the Philippines and was to watch out for any attacks from the Japanese. He was forced to retreat though because he didn’t realize how powerful the enemy was. MacArthur’s soldiers were forced to go into hiding and held out for nearly a year. More than 7,000 of these American and Philippian soldiers died which was known as the Bataan Death March. -
Pearl Harbor
On December 1941, Japanese navy sailed to Pearl Harbor, which was a site in Hawaii where the United States Navy’s main Pacific base was. This attack had taken the US completely by surprised. It was a devastating moment for America. Many ships were sunk and there were about 2,500 people killed. -
Japanese Internment
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans no longer wanted Japanese around. Relocation of Japanese Americans began in 1942. Japanese were forced to carry out their lives under such harsh conditions like on deserts. -
War Production Board
An agency of the United States Government was created in 1942 that would supervise the production of goods for WWII. -
Great Migration
More than 5 million African Americans had moved from the south to the north in search for more opportunities. With WWII going on the US needed all the help they could get. -
Women's Army Corps and Rosie the Riveter
The Women's Army Corps is established/ Providede clerical workers, truck drivers instructurs, and lab technicians for US Army
WOmen join the work force at home and help th ewar effort drastically. -
Chester NImitz and the Battle of Midway
CHester NImitz was the commander of the US Navy in the Pacific. The Battle of Midway was the turning point of the war in the Pacific because Japan stopped expanding it's terretory. -
Stalingrad
Hitler's attempt to invade Russia and take control of it. His plan failed miseranly because his soldiers were killed or froze to death -
Manhattan Project and J. Robert Oppenheimer
FDR places the development of atomic bombs as the highest national priority. J Robert Oppenheimer is placed as Project's Scientific Director -
Rationing
Rationing was a form of economic control; it ensured that raw materials found their way into war production. So Americans were issued coupon books that only allowed them to buy a limited amount of certain goods. Even though many people agreed with this to help out the country some people disagreed. So the “Black Market” was formed. -
Casablanca conference
Meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt at Casablanca, Morocco. Stalin was invited as well but could not go. The unconditional surrendert policy for the Axis powers was approved by both men as well as the increase of bombing of Germany and Italy. -
George Patton
Appointed over North Africa forces. Known as "Old Blood and Guts"
Aggressive officer to train troops for the war in the desert -
War Bonds
Another way to help the government was buying war bonds. This was where people basically lend money to the government that they would later pay back. Many people during this time were persuaded to buy war bonds. -
Tehran Conference
First face to face meeting with Stalin between the Big 3. Decided to invade France in order to march to Germany. -
Korematsu v. United States
Because of the Japanese Internment, the question was brought into place, was it right to treat Japanese so unfairly? An American born citizen with Japanese ancestry refused to leave his home so he was taken to court. The court ruled in the governments favor at the end. Japanese were indeed treated badly. -
D-Day and Airdrops
Allies invade 5 beaches in Normandy. Troops land from airplanes. They get a foothold on France and a month later invaded Berlin, Germany -
GI BIll
Bill passed to ease soldier's transition from wartime to peacetime. Grnts veterans benefits like a year of unemployment payments for veterans, college financial aid, and government loans for building homes of starting businesses. -
Battle of the Bulge
Counter attack by German soldiers who dressed in US uniforms to spread confusion and secure communication and transportation hubs. -
Island Hopping, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa
The US captured some Japanese held islands making a steady path toward Japan.
Iwo JImma ( Feb.--Mar.) resisted. US marines faced "dug-in, determined anemy." there were 36 days of fighting and 23,000 US marines casualities.
April --> Okinawa held a vital air base to the invation of Japan. It was the most complex and costly opperation. 1/2 million troops and 1,213 warships were needed. there were 50,000 casualities -
V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day. Mussolini was executed days before, and Hitler comittted suicide as well. War was won in Europe, only the Japanese side was left. -
Postdam Conference
Big 3 meet. Truman and Attle replace FDR and Churchill. Stalin refuses to allow free elections in Eastern Europe which leads to the Cold War -
Atomic bomb and V-J Day
The atomic bomb is developed and tested in New Mexico. Then it's dropped in Hiroshima and then in Nagasaki. The war ends. Victory in Japan is celebrated as V-J Day. -
Baby Boom, Levittowns, and the Middle class
Increase in births after war. Couples got married and started families with no worries.
Levittowns were suburb homes built using the same plan, so they all lokked alike. This way houses were mass produced and were perfect for those starting out new families.
The midlle class increases with a better economy and people spending more money. Everyone has to have a car and a house and their little white picket fence. -
Nuremberg Trials
Allies prosecute Nazis for war crimes. Long series of trials which lasted several months.
