The document provides an overview of the key events leading up to and during World War II. It describes how Germany was weakened after World War I by the Treaty of Versailles, allowing Hitler and the Nazis to rise to power. It then outlines Germany's expansion in Europe in the late 1930s in violation of the treaty. For Japan, it discusses its imperialist actions in Asia in the early 20th century and increasing aggression leading to war with China. The document then summarizes some of the major battles of WWII, including Germany's initial successes, the turning point defeat at Stalingrad, D-Day, and the eventual Allied victories over Germany and Japan.

1. World War II

2. Road to War: Europe

3. Treaty of Versailles
“MORE than fourteen years have passed since the unhappy day when the German people, blinded by
promises from foes at home and abroad, lost touch with honor and freedom, thereby losing all. Since that
day of treachery, the Almighty has withheld his blessing from our people.”
Adolf Hitler, February 1, 1933

4. The Great Depression

5. Rise of Nazi Germany

6. Rise of Nazi Germany

7. German Expansion
1936 – German troops
move into the Rhine river
valley
Breaks Treaty of Versailles
1938 – Germany annexes
Austria & the Sudetenland
Munich Conference &
Appeasement
1939 – Nazi-Soviet non-
aggression pact
September 1, 1939 –
Germany invades Poland

8. Road to War: Japan

9. Treaty of Versailles

10. Washington Conference

11. Japanese Imperialism
1910 – Annex Korea
1931 – Attack Manchuria
Mukden Incident
1936 – Battle near Beijing
Used as an excuse to
invade mainland China
Rape of Nanking
Comfort Women
1940 – French Indo-China

12. Japanese Aggression

13. Fighting
World War II

14. Blitzkrieg

15. New Technology
Other technological advancements: radar,
synthetic rubber, antibiotics, etc.

16. Pearl Harbor

17. Highpoint of Axis Power

18. Winning the War

19. European Theater
Notable Battles
1 – Blitzkrieg of Poland
5 – Surrender of Paris
6 – Battle of Britain
9 – Germany invades USSR
21 – Battle of Stalingrad
*Turning Point of WWII
22 – Battle of El Alamein
*Monty defeats Rommel
26 – Allies invade Sicily
*U.S. troops led by Patton
29 – Battle of Normandy
*Largest amphibious assault
in world history
32 – Battle of the Bulge
*Last German offensive
35 – Soviets enter Berlin

20. Battle of Stalingrad

21. Battle of Stalingrad

22. Amphibious Assaults

23. Battle of Normandy (D-day)

24. Firebombing of Dresden

25. Allied Victory in the Pacific

26. Island-Hopping

27. Firebombing of Tokyo

28. Atomic Bomb

29. Effects of the Atomic Bomb