Totalitarian governments like those of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini are discussed. Hitler invades Poland in 1939 starting WWII. Within a year, Germany conquers much of Western Europe while Britain withstands the Luftwaffe bombing campaign. In 1941, Germany invades the Soviet Union and makes large gains initially. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in 1941 bringing the US into the war against the Axis powers. With help from allies like the Soviet Union and US, the Allies gain victories over German and Japanese forces in several key battles. Germany surrenders in 1945 after the atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending WWII.

1. Bell Work Hitler’s, Stalin’s, and Mussolini's governments are examples of what type of government Totalitarian

2. Objective: Cover the events of WWII

3. On September 1 st 1939 Hitler invades Poland and conquers it in 4 weeks Germans use a new form of fighting called Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) which uses surprise and overwhelming force to crush its enemies After the invasion of Poland, Britain and France declare war WWII had begun

4. Hitler quickly conquers Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, and France France builds the Maginot Line Germans bypass the line by passing through the Ardennes forest Cut off Allied soldiers had to escape they use the French port of Dunkirk to cross English Channel to Britain Paris falls in June 1940

5. Hitler now controls much of Europe Britain asks U.S. for help U.S. had a strict policy of Isolationism and didn’t want to get involved President Roosevelt worked to convince America to give aid to Britain Slowly U.S. begins to send food, ships, planes, and weapons

6. Hitler begins to plan the invasion of Britain and unleashes the Luftwaffe Hitler felt Britain would surrender Churchill refuses Bombed England day and night for 10 months People sleep in subways to avoid the bombs RAF fought around the clock Defeats the German Air Force

7. With in two years Hitler breaks the treaty with the Soviet Union and opens second front on June 22, 1941 Wanted natural resources and land Soviets join Allies Germany captures huge amounts of land Soviet army loses millions of soldiers over 2 million captured By December Germans were within 25 miles of Moscow

8. December 7 th 1941 a date which will live in infamy Japan launches a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii Japan quickly conquers the Philippines, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, and other islands Japan thought their attack on the U.S. Fleet would destroy the U.S. Navy and led to America accepting the Japanese domination of the Pacific They were wrong, instead they awoke a sleeping giant

9. Allies included Britain, U.S., and Soviet Union Axis Powers included, Germany, Italy, and Japan Allies begin the assault in Africa and defeat the Germans and Italians in Africa within a few months On the Eastern Front Hitler attacks Stalingrad in Nov. 1942 by Feb. 1943 the Soviets counter-attack The combination of Russian troops and the Russian Winter defeat Hitler’s troops

10. After Pearl Harbor, U.S. Carrier planes destroys 4 Japanese Aircraft Carriers at the Battle of Midway This is the turning point of the U.S. war in the Pacific Afterwards the U.S. would island hop across the Pacific until they were within striking distance of Japan

11. After Africa, the Allies invade Italy Mussolini is defeated and executed Next Allies invade France on D-Day June 6, 1944 Gen. Eisenhower leads the invasion Despite heavy Germany resistance the Allies establish a beachhead

12. After D-Day Paris is quickly liberated as Allies continue to push East The Soviets Continue to defeat the Germans and push West toward Berlin Hitler moves to a underground bunker In the end he blames the Jews and commits suicide

13. Allies move within striking distance of Japan President Truman orders the use of a new super weapon the Atomic bomb On August 6 1945 Hiroshima was destroyed August 9 1945 another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki August 14, 1945 Japan surrenders WWII is over. 50 million people died during the war