Chapter 27
The Deepening of the European
Crisis:
World War II
Prelude to War
The Role of Hitler
World War II began in the mind of Adolf Hitler
Hitler believed that the Russian Revolution
created the conditions for German expansion
Lebensraum – living space for German people
• A nation’s power depended on the amount and kind
of land it occupied
• Hitler wanted to expand in Eastern Europe & Russia
• Hitler thought the Slavs of Eastern Europe were
inferior and should be enslaved by Aryans
• Hitler thought the Bolsheviks of Russia were Jews
Possible Test Question
The idea of Lebensraum maintained that
A nation’s power depended on the amount and
kind of land it occupied.
Only large populations could maintain a
powerful country.
Authority must be dictated from a powerful
leader.
Air power was the key to a successful military.
A pure race was necessary for national survival.
The “Diplomatic Revolution” (1933-1937)
Hitler becomes chancellor, January 30, 1933
First dramatic act as chancellor
• withdrew from League of Nations and Geneva Disarmament
Conference
Repudiation of disarmament clauses of the TOV, 1935
• Slow rearmament
Anglo-German Naval Pact 1935 – Germany can build a navy 35%
of Britain’s & an equal number of submarines
Troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, March 7, 1936
• Allies did nothing to this violation of the TOV
Appeasement – allied policy of giving into Hitler to avoid war
New Alliances
• Rome-Berlin Axis, October 1936
• Anti-Comintern Pact between Germany and Japan, November
1936 – maintain a common front against Communism
Possible Test Question
Hitler’s first act of aggression took place in
1936 when the Germans occupied what
area?
Austria.
Sudetenland
Bavaria
Rhineland
East Tyrol
Adolph Hitler & Benito Mussolini in
Munich, Germany ca. June 1940
Map 27.1:
Changes in
Central
Europe,
1936-1939
The Path to War (1938-1939)
Annexation of Austria, March 13, 1938
Hitler demands the cession of the Sudetenland,
September 15, 1938
Munich Conference, September 29, 1938
Leaders from Italy, Germany, France & G.B. met
British Prime minister Chamberlain gave into Hitler’s
demands for the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia
Winston Churchill criticized this decision as a tragic
outcome of appeasement
Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940)
Strong advocate of Appeasement “peace for our time”
Hitler systematically took over the rest of
Czechoslovakia a few months later
Possible Test Question
Following the Munich Conference, Hitler
Had Germany relinquish its claims to
Czechoslovakia.
Systematically took the rest of Czechoslovakia.
Attacked France.
Launched an attack on the Soviet Union.
Invaded Belgium.
Hitler demands Danzig
British offer to protect Poland
Non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, August 23,
1939
Invasion of Poland, September 1, 1939
Soviet Union invades Poland Sept. 17, 1939
Britain and France declare war on Germany, September 3,
1939 - Official Start of WWII
Unable to mobilize quick enough to help Poland
Poland falls in a few weeks to the combined forces of
German and the Soviets
New military tactic of Blitzkrieg “lightning war” air attack, tank
attack, infantry attack
After the fall of Poland, there is no fighting until the spring
of 1940
Period called the Phony War or “sitzkrieg”
Possible Test Question
Hitler took Poland in 1939
Despite interference by the Soviet Union.
In a long protracted struggle that cost Germany
dearly.
Upon Poland’s request for a restructured
government.
Using Blitzkrieg or “lightning war” tactics and
with active support from Joseph Stalin.
Peacefully, with the reluctant acquiescence of
Britain and France.
The Path to War in Asia
Japan’s Rise to World Power Status
Defeat of China (1895) and Russia (1905)
By 1933, Japanese Empire included: Korea, Formosa,
Manchuria, and the Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana
Islands
Internal Tensions
Population growth (30 million in 1870 to 80 million in
1937)
Lack of natural resources on the small island nation
Impact of trade barriers
• Depression causes western countries to impose tariffs to
protect their economy
• Devastates Japan politically & economically
Rise of militarist government
• Military backed expansion
Possible Test Question
Chief among the reasons for Japanese expansion
in the 1930s were
An expanding population and severe lack of natural
resources on the island nation.
Intense hatreds for the Chinese and Chinese culture.
Desires by ruling military leaders to test their newly
developed and newly organized armed forces.
Beliefs among the Japanese that they were a “master
race” destined to rule all of Asia.
Fear of Chinese imperial aggression unless the Japanese
struck first.
Japanese Goals in East Asia
September 1931: Japanese conquest of Manchuria
Japan targeted China first
Attacked China 1937 - Rape of Nanjing (Chinese
capital where thousands were raped and killed)
Cooperation with Germany – wanted to divide Soviet
Union
Nonaggression Pact made Japan look elsewhere for
empire
Shift of attention to Southeast Asia in the late 1930s
• Conflict with France, Britain & U.S.
• U.S embargos iron and oil to Japan
The Course to World War II
Britain & France pledge to back up Poland
Blitzkrieg (lightening war) (planes, tanks, troops)
Russia attacks from the other side
Poland divided on September 28, 1939
Victory and Stalemate
“Phony War”, winter 1939-1940
France built the Maginot Line, defensive structures on their eastern
border, and waited for a defensive war
Germany resumes offensive, April 9, 1939, against Denmark and
Norway
Attack on Netherlands, Belgium, and France, May 10, 1940
Evacuation of Dunkirk (330,000 troops)
Surrender of France, June 22, 1940
Vichy France
• Marshal Henri Pétain (1856-1951)
• Unoccupied France, but seen as a German puppet state
Possible Test Question
The Maginot Line was
A sophisticated line of defenses in eastern
France.
The temporary demarcation line between
France and the German Rhineland imposed by
the Versailles Treaty.
Fortifications built by Mussolini to defend
Rome.
England’s first line of coastal defense against
possible German invasion.
The railroad that extended from the North Sea
to the Swiss Alps.
Battle of Britain, August-September 1940
Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister
of G.B.
German Luftwaffe (air force) wages a massive air
attack
British use radar and broke German codes to prepare
for attacks
Hitler switches to bombing cities (after attack on
Berlin), allowing the RAF to rebuild
Hitler is forced to postpone his invasion of Britain
German Mediterranean strategy
Capturing Egypt and the Suez Canal and cutting off the British oil
supply from the Middle East
Leaves this strategy largely up to Italy, but they fail
Hitler sends troops to support Italy, but it is to late
Germany invades the Soviet Union, June 22, 1941
Supposed to start in the spring and finish by winter
Map 27.2: World War II in Europe & North
Africa
War in Asia
Japanese Expansion
Attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Attack Philippines the same day
Move towards British Malaya
By the spring of 1942
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Japan had captured all of Southeast Asia
Explosion of the U.S.S. Shaw during
attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941
Map 27.3: World War II in Asia & the
Pacific
Turning Point of the War (1942-1943)
Entry of United States into the war critical to Allied
victory
Germany declares war on U.S. 3 days later
Historians argue that Hitler’s unnecessary declaration of war
against the U.S. was the key decision leading to the inevitable
defeat of Nazi Germany.
The Grand Alliance (Russia, G.B., & U.S.)
Defeat of Germany the first priority
Military aid to Russia and Britain
Allies ignore political differences
Agree on unconditional surrender
Possible Test Question
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the main
priority for the United States was
Defeating Japan as quickly as possible.
Recovering the Hawaiian Islands.
Defeating Germany first and then turning its
great naval war machine against Japan.
To remain neutral, while buying time to build
up industrial and military supplies.
Defending “Fortress America” from the
unexpected combined Japanese and German
invasion of the United States.
The Course of the War (1942-1943)
German success in 1942 in Africa and Soviet
Union
Allies invade North Africa, November 1942,
victory in May 1943
Major Turning Points in the War
• North African Campaign
• Battle of El Alamein, Summer 1942
 British stopped German General Rommel
 Safeguarded the Suez Canal and oil shipments from the
Middle East
 Combined U.S. and British forces force Germans and
Italian troops to surrender North Africa in 1943
Possible Test Question
The turning point in the North African
campaign came
At El Alamein where the British stopped
Rommel in the summer of 1942.
When South African troops crossed the Sahara
and overwhelmed Rommel.
With the revolt of the Vichy French in North
Africa.
When the Italians joined the Allied cause in
1942.
When Cairo and the Suez Canal were
recaptured by the British and the Americans.
• Battle of Stalingrad, November 1942-February 1943
 Hitler disregards advice from his generals to
take the Caucus oil fields
 Instead, Hitler attacks the industrial center of
Stalingrad
 Gradual breakdown of German morale allowed
them to become surrounded in the city
 The entire German Sixth Army is captured or
killed (300,000)
• Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942
 U.S. breaks Japanese code and knows they will
attack Midway
 Island defends the attack while U.S. planes sink
4 Japanese aircraft carriers
 Established U.S. naval supremacy in the Pacific
Possible Test Question
The decisive Battle of Stalingrad was best
characterized by
The Russians fighting to the last man until an exhausted
German army took the city.
A gradual breakdown in German morale until the
Germans were surrounded and forced to surrender.
The lack of conviction on the part of the Russians to
defend the city.
The decisive role that the Soviet air force played in
halting the German advance.
The complete destruction of both armies, leading to a
temporary armistice.
The Last Years of the War
Invasion of Sicily, 1943
Invasion of Italy, September 1943
Rome falls June 4, 1944
D-Day invasion of France, June 6, 1944
Five assault divisions landed on Normandy beaches
Within three months, two million men landed
Greatest naval invasion in history
Opened up 2nd Front in Europe
German surrender at Stalingrad, February 2, 1943
Tank Battle of Kursk, Soviet Union, July 5-12, 1943
Largest tank battle of all time– Germans defeated
Over 15,000 tanks combined
Germans are defeated
Russians enter Berlin, April 1945
D-Day Invasion
End of the War
Hitler’s suicide, April 30, 1945
Surrender of Germany, May 7, 1945
Death of FDR, April 12, 1945
Difficulty of invading the Japanese homeland
New President Harry Truman makes decision to
use the atomic bomb
Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945
Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945
Surrender of Japan, August 14, 1945
Human losses in the war: 17 million military dead,
18 million civilians dead but may have numbered
as high as 50 million dead
The New Order
The Nazi Empire
Nazi occupies Europe was organized in two ways
• Some areas annexed and made into German provinces
• Most areas were occupied and administered by Germans
• It was never organized systematically or governed efficiently
despite German claims to the contrary.
Racial considerations
• Aryan nations like Norway, Denmark & the Netherlands
were ruled more leniently
• Rule was most ruthless in Eastern Europe because Slavic
people were viewed as inferior
Resettlement plans of the East
• Poles were uprooted and moved
• 2 million ethnic Germans settled Poland, 1942
Need for labor
• Forced labor of conquered people caused more resistance to
the Nazis.
Possible Test Question
The Nazi Empire was
Strictly organized into efficient states that paid
tribute to Germany.
Never much larger than the size of present-day
Germany and Austria.
Never organized systematically or governed
efficiently despite German claims to the
contrary.
For the most part composed of independent
states that collaborated with Hitler.
A and D.
Resistance Movements
Resistance movements in Nazi-occupied
Europe
• Resistance in all parts of Europe
• Communists assumed leadership roles
 Major source of resistance after the invasion of the Soviet
Union in 1941
• Women participated in resistance
 Message carries, assassinated Nazi officials, planted
bombs
Resistance in Germany
• Limited resistance: White Rose
 Student movement in Munich
• Plots against Hitler
 Count Claus von Stauffenberg (movie Valkyrie)
The Holocaust
First focused on emigration of Jews
The Final Solution
Planned Extermination of all European Jews
Developed by Hitler and Himmler (head of SS)
Reinhard Heydrich (1904-1942)
• SS officer responsible for carrying out the final solution
Wannsee Conference – Jan 20, 1942
• Established procedures for the Final Solution
Einsatzgrupen
• Special strike forces used in eastern Europe that rounded up and
executed Jews
Largest death camp was Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Use of Zyklon B (hydrogen cyanide) and huge ovens
• Death of 2 out of 3 European Jews
The Other Holocaust
Death of 9 - 10 million people beyond the 5 - 6 million Jews
40 percent of European Gypsies
Map 27.4:
The
Holocaust
Possible Test Question
The conference that established the
procedures for the “Final Solution”
occurred at
Munich.
Nuremburg.
Berlin.
Wannsee.
Wittenberg.
The New Order in Asia
“Asia for Asians”
Promised independent governments in occupied
territory
Power in the hands of Japanese military
Exploited occupied territories for war resources
Little respect for local populations
Raped local women, looted homes and
businesses and killed men arbitrarily
The Mobilization of Peoples
Great Britain
More complete mobilization than its allies or Germany
Efforts to solve food shortage “Dig for Victory”
• Sports fields were converted for civilian agriculture
Planned economy
The Soviet Union
Enormous losses, 2 of every 5 killed in WWII were
Russians
The brunt of the war effort fell on the peasants for
combat and industrial roles
Only nation to use women in combat roles
Mobilization for total war produced the
“supercentralization” of government authority
Siege of Leningrad (900 days)
Factories moved to the interior
Possible Test Question
The brunt of the Soviet war effort was
borne by
Small factory owners and craftsmen.
Heavy industry and factory laborers.
The peasants.
Communist party officials.
Conscripted women.
The United States
Slow mobilization at first
Full employment mid-1943
Shut down of smaller factories due to fear of
overproduction
Internal migration of the population to
industrial centers
Social problems
• African-Americans – 1 million migrated
from the South to the North and West
• Detroit, June 1943 – race riot
Japanese Americans
• Racially motivated internment
Mobilization of Peoples (cont)
Germany
When Germany went to war in 1939, many Germany citizens thought it
would spell disaster for Germany
Continued production of consumer goods first two years of the war
• Hitler wanted to maintain morale at home
Blitzkrieg and then plunder conquered countries
Albert Speer and armaments production
• Tripled armament production
Total mobilization of the economy, 1944
• Too little too late to save the German war effort
Japan
Highly mobilized society
Code of bushido – the way of the warrior
Demands on women – bear more children
• Women were not expected to fill jobs vacated by men
• Korean and Chinese laborers were brought in for industrial jobs
Possible Test Question
When Germany went to war in 1939
The populace was as euphoric as in 1914.
The populace feared that it would spell disaster
for Germany.
Consumer goods were cut in favor of war
materials.
War production tripled.
There was an immediate highly organized
secret attempt to assassinate Hitler, but
unfortunately it failed.
Frontline Civilians: The Bombing of Cities
Bombing Civilians
Strategy developed at the end of WWI to break the will
of the people to continue the war effort
Civilian bombing in WWII had the opposite effect and
created stubborn resistance to attacking nations
Luftwaffe begin the Blitz in Britain
Allies begin bombing raids on German cities under
Arthur Harris
Cologne, Hamburg, Dresden
American daytime bombing raids on precision targets
British made night time saturation bombing raids
Success or failure of bombing raids
Nuclear Power
U.S. successfully tests their first A-bomb on
July 16, 1945
Atomic bomb
U.S. decided to use A-bomb to avoid an
invasion of Japan that would cost hundreds of
thousands of American lives
Hiroshima, August 6, 1945
Nagasaki, August 9, 1945
Hiroshima after the atomic bomb,
August 6, 1945
Aftermath: The Emergence of the Cold War
Chief concern at conferences was determining spheres of
influence for each allied power in post-war Europe
The Conferences at Teheran and Yalta
Conference at Tehran, November 1943
• Future course of the war, invasion of the continent for 1944
• Agreement for the partition of postwar Germany
• Germany was to be divided into four occupied zones after the war
Conference at Yalta, February 1945
•
•
•
•
Soviet military assistance for the war against Japan
Creation of a United Nations
German unconditional surrender
Free elections in Eastern Europe
Intensifying Differences
Conference at Potsdam, July 1945
Truman replaces FDR – learns of A-bomb
Truman and Stalin argue over free elections in eastern Europe
The Emergence of the Cold War
Mutual mistrust
Ideological conflict
Map 27.5: Territorial Changes after
World War II
Possible Test Question
The chief concern of the Allies at the Tehran,
Yalta, and Potsdam Conferences was
How to end the war on favorable terms should any one
of them be defeated.
Determining spheres of influence for the individual
allied powers in post-war Europe.
How to rebuild the German economy after the war so as
to extract maximum war reparations.
Whether China and other lesser allies deserved any
territorial rewards in any post-war settlement.
To establish the new League of Nations.