Presentation Transcript

1. 7a: Causes of World War II • Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from World War I: • Worldwide depression • High war debt owed by Germany

2. 7a: Causes of World War II • Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from World War I: • High inflation • Massive unemployment

3. 7a: Causes of World War II • Rise of Fascism: • Fascism is political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are denied and nationalism and, often, racism are emphasized.

4. 7a: Causes of World War II • Rise of Fascism: • Fascist dictators included Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan).

5. 7a: Causes of World War II • Rise of Fascism: • These dictators led the countries that became known as the Axis Powers.

6. 7a: The Allies • Democratic nations (the United States, Great Britain, Canada) were known as the Allies. The Soviet Union joined the Allies after being invaded by Germany.

7. 7a: The Allies • Allied leaders included Franklin D. Roosevelt and, later, Harry S. Truman (United States), Winston Churchill (Great Britain), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union).

8. 7a: Gradual change in American policy from neutrality to direct involvement • Isolationism (Great Depression, legacy of World War I) • Economic aid to Allies • Direct involvement in the war

9. 7a: War in the Pacific • Rising tension developed between the United States and Japan because of Japanese aggression in East Asia.

10. 7a: War in the Pacific • On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor without warning.

11. 7a: War in the Pacific • The United States declared war on Japan.

12. 7a: War in the Pacific • Germany declared war on the United States.