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WWII Notes 1
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Totalitarianism: Dictatorship – one leader has total control over the government and over all of the citizens of that county.
Which countries followed this type of government? Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan, Spain
Adolf Hitler - How does Hitler come to power?
By 1930 - 43% of Germany’s population is unemployed and the country is still devastated by the Treaty of Versailles. President Paul von
Hindenburg ran for re-election in 1932. Hindenburg wins the election but cannot ignore the Nazi Party so in 1933 Hindenburg appoints Hitler Chancellor of Germany starting his rise to power.
The Reichstag fire and the Reichstag fire decree: February 1933: The Reichstag is set on fire. The fire began Hitler’s rise to total power. The Reichstag Fire Decree (February 1933) Suspends all of the peoples’ civil liberties/civil rights and freedoms.
Death of Hindenburg: In August of 1934, Hindenburg dies and Hitler takes over and declares himself the Fuhrer of Germany – meaning the head of state.
Beer Hall Putsch: Hitler wanted to copy Mussolini’s successful March on Rome. He declares a new government in a Beer Hall, marches to Bavarian War Ministry, there is a clash with police and the march is destroyed. – not successful.
Hitler’s arrest, trial and imprisonment: Hitler is arrested for High Treason and uses the trial to gain popularity. In April 1924, he is sentenced to 5 years in prison. He served less than one year.
Mein Kampf: The book Hitler wrote while in prison. He uses this autobiography to explain his plans for
Germany.
Anglo-German naval Act: Allows Germany to build up a military again; rearmament. Germany goes forward with the construction of the battleship Bismarck and Hitler moves into the Rhineland (area near the German – French border)
Appeasement: Great Britain & France both give Hitler (Germany) land to try and please him (appease him) thinking that this would keep him from waging war on them.
September 1, 1939 (Official start of World War II): Germany invades Poland, starting the war.
Germany attacks Poland by land & air and Poland is captured in 5 weeks. Hitler & Stalin (Germany &
Russia) sign a non-aggression pact
Neutrality Acts and America’s stance on getting involved in the war:
The United States declares no arms sales or loans to nations who are at war in an attempt to keep the US out of the war.
Countries Hitler takes over –
April 1940: Germany invades Denmark & Norway
May 1940: Hitler invades Belgium, The Netherlands & Luxembourg
June 1940: Hitler takes over France – Paris is captured in 4 weeks.
Who are the axis powers? (What three countries?): Italy, Germany & Japan

July 1940: Battle of Britain: Royal Air Force vs. Luftwaffe (Great Britan vs. Germany) in a two month long air battle. Germany shifts his targets from the countryside airfields to cities and civilians. In July,
Hitler offers to negotiate peace in a speech he gives in Berlin – but Churchill dismisses it. The British launch a small bombing attack on Berlin and in September, Hitler calls off the invasion – England survives the Battle and is not defeated by Germany.
1941: Lend-lease act: The United States loans weapons to our allies overseas to help in the war effort – battleships, tanks, trucks, etc.
How does Germany break the non-aggression pact? Germany breaks the pact by invading the USSR
1937-38: Rape of Nanking (Japan’s relationship with China): Chinese capital city was invaded by
Japan and 300,000 were murdered, roughly 20,000 were raped, POW’s (Prisoners of War) were tortured by being used for bayonet practice, cannibalism and beheadings.
1931: Japan invades Manchuria: Japan’s growing population made them need to expand their empire.
They established a ‘puppet’ government in Manchuria.
Prime Minister Hideki Tojo: Militarist leader of Japan during WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He was appointed in 1941and was supported by military & business leaders
Emperor Hirohito: Emperor of Japan during WWII and Pearl Harbor attack
Japanese Nationalism:
Japan’s growing population and devotion to their country.
Why does Japan need to expand its empire?
Japan’s population was growing and they needed space for their people to live as well as more natural resources for survival.
July 1941: French Indo China conquered: Colonial empires of three European powers were seized
(England, France, & Netherlands) and the only one left was USA (Philippines). 1 Million square miles were now under Japanese control – Japan controlled the entire western half of the Pacific Ocean.
Oil embargo on the Japanese (US relationship with Japan): The United States is outraged by what the Japanese are doing in China and there for limited resources being sent to Japan - starves Japan (gas & scrap iron mainly). US finances the Chinese government to fight against Japan. US code breakers intercept messages from Japan while Japanese Diplomats in DC are instructed to reject all US proposals.
US forces in Hawaii begin to prepare for sabotage, fearing that Japan will get revenge on the US for the oil embargo.
Dec. 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor. Explain in detail what happens: Japanese launch a surprise attack on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor at 7:00am Sunday morning. Targets: Navy ships at Pearl
Harbor & airfields/hangers.
Total damage from the attack on Pearl Harbor – be specific! 2,403 killed (1/2 on the USS Arizona alone), 1,178 wounded / injured, 21 ships sunk / damaged (only 3 destroyed): USS Utah, USS Oklahoma,
USS Arizona, 323 planes were damaged or destroyed and FDR asks congress for a declaration of war the very next day on December 8 th .
“Tora! Tora! Tora!” stands for what? “Tiger Tiger! Tiger!” The Japanese attack signal