U.S. History

Events Leading Up to U.S. Involvement in WWII

Was fought in Europe between 1914-1918Allied Powers (France, Great Britain, Russia) vs.

Central Powers (Germany, Austria, Italy)Causes

NationalismMilitarismCompetition for colonies (mainly African)

Originally neutral, the U.S. enters in 1917 on the Allied side (Lusitania, Zimmerman tele.)

Results: Germany/Central Powers surrenderClose to 20 million dead (soldiers and civilians)

World War I (a.k.a The Great War and The War to End All Wars)

Trench Warfare during WWI

U.S President Woodrow Wilson promoted his “14 Points” which promoted peace and unity instead of revenge.

European leaders rejected this and wanted to punish Germany and force them to pay reparations for their starting the WWI.

Punishment, coupled with the world-wide Great Depression, led to poor living conditions in countries such as Germany and Italy. Germany money became worthlessMany were hungry and in poverty

Following World War I

German Inflation

Because of the poor living conditions, dictators such as Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy) and Joseph Stalin (Russia) came to power.

The people of these countries were desperate and looking for answers to their problems.These leaders gave powerful speeches, blamed others

for their problems, and united their counties using nationalism and militarism.

These totalitarian government shared many similar traits: persecution of opponents, use of military force, few democratic rights, use of secret police/spies, govt. control of media, use of propaganda.

The Rise of Fascism in Europe

European Dictators

While the Germany and Italy were growing more powerful, France and Great Britain adopted a policy of appeasement, which is letting an enemy get their way in order to maintain peace.

Hitler began to add surrounding countries to Germany, including Austria and western Czechoslovakia…these actions went unchecked.

On Sept. 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and World War II officially began.Allies (GB, France, China) vs. Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan)

By 1941, Hitler controlled most of Europe including Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, and France.

Great Britain is the only Allied country left standing in 1941.

World War II Begins

Hitler in Europe