World War II

Genocide Project
 Factors that
Started WWII
Treaty of Versailles

● The Treaty of Versailles was considered to be one The Treaty

of
of the most important peace treaties throughout
Versailles
history because it ended the war between Germany
and the Allied Powers (WWI).

● Germany was forced to accept guilt for starting the

war and to pay reparations. Germany had to pay 57
trillion (modern day equivalent) for the damage
done.

● Germany lost territory and was prohibited from

having a large military. German was only allowed
to have six battleships and an army of 100,000
men.
Fascism
● Since World War One left some countries in a economic downfall, many dictators who formed powerful
fascist governments took over their country.

● In 1922, Benito Mussolini and the Fascist Party rose to power in Italy. He allied Italy with Nazi Germany and
Japan in World War Two.

Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, 1940 This video shows Hitler’s rise to power and
control of the German Socialist Party.
 Nazi Party and Hitler’s Uprising

The German Workers’ Party was formed in 1919

as being a post World War 1 activist group and
was anti-Marxist and opposed the democratic
post-war government of the Weimar Republic
and opposed the Treaty of Versailles(which
ended World War 1 between Germany and the
Allied Power). It advocated for extreme
Nationalism and Pan-Germanism. Hitler joined
the “Germans Workers’ Party” in the September
of 1919. In 1920 the party would be renamed to
the “National Socialist German Workers’ Party”
or commonly known as the “Nazi Party.”
The Weimar Republic

● In January 1919, a group a people was

elected to represent the German people. They
met in the town of Weimar as Berlin was
deemed too unsafe.

● In August 1919, the new constitution was

agreed and the first elections in what became
known as the Weimar Republic took place in
June 1920, electing Ebert as Germany’s new
President.

● Hitler was a powerful speaker and began to

win supporters. Hitler used these new
supporters and some members of the
Freikorp to overthrow the Weimar Republic.
Failure of Appeasement

● After World War One ended, European countries

were worried and didn't want another war. When
countries such as Italy and Germany became
aggressive and began to take over their
neighbors and build up their armies, countries
such as Britain and France hoped to keep peace
through "appeasement." They hoped that by
meeting his demands he would be satisfied and
there wouldn't be any war.

● Unfortunately, the appeasement fail, and it made

Hitler even more motivated. It also gave him time
to build up his army. Adolf Hitler and England's Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain, are shown in this historic pose at Munich on
Sept. 30, 1938.
Japanese Expansionism

● Japan was expanding rapidly after World War One. Japan

needed more resources to sustain their country and growth.
Japan began to look to grow their empire in order to gain
new resources. They invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China
in 1938.

A map showing the Japan expanding

throughout Asia
Economic Depression

● In 1914, there was a British blockade that
caused many severe food shortages in
Germany. Around 293,000 Germans died from
hypothermia and starvation. The blockade
and the war also made it hard for Germany to
trade which was the basis of its pre-war
economic growth.
● By 1918, wages for German workers were
declining despite the extra work they were
doing to support the war. German workers
were earning only 60 cent of their pre-war
salaries.

● The German government started to spend

more money than they receive in taxes, which
lead to the Mark (Germany’s Currency) losing
its value and inflation was rising rapidly.
Food supplies ran so low that Adults were living on 1,000 calories a day. According to an article
written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, they estimated that an average
women should take 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day and 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day for adult
male at minimum.
 In 1923,
Children
stood next to
a tower of
100,000
marks, which
equal in
value to one
US dollar.

This is what a one billion Mark bill looks like in 1923.

“In 1914, the exchange rate of the German mark to the American dollar was about 4.2 to one.
Nine years later, it was 4.2 trillion to one.”-Mashable
This graph shows the price of bread going up in price due to the hyperinflation of the Mark.
The Five Phases
of WWII:

1. The Phoney War

2. Blitzkrieg

3. Britain and the empire stands

alone

4. The tide turns

5. Victory
Countries Involved in WW2

Allies Axis Powers

Britain Germany
France Japan
America Italy
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Russia
South Africa
New Zealand
Newfoundland
The Phoney War (September 1939‒April 1940)

● On September 1st 1939 Germany invaded
Poland from the East and two days later
Britain Along with france declared war on
Germany. This marked the beginning of WW2
in the east.
● The governments of Germany, Britain and France
began to issue propaganda. The British government
even flew over Germany but, rather than dropping
bombs, they dropped propaganda leaflets.

● On September 17th Russia invaded from the

west and Poland later fell.

● On September 28th a peace treaty was

signed between Germany and Russia to
divide the country between the two countries.

● This period of time was called “The Phoney

War” because seemingly nothing happened.
the Germans referred to it as ‘Sitzkrieg’ –
‘sitting war’.
Blitzkrieg (May 1940‒June 1940)
● On May 10th 1940 the Germans introduced a
new method of attack against their enemies.
The Blitzkrieg was the use of many military
vehicles to bomb and overwhelm the front lines
then they would move in with aircraft to destroy
the rest. They used this against Denmark,
Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. This
method worked very well for the Axis powers.
● The Nazis conquered Denmark, Norway,
Holland, Belgium and France. The British was
trapped in Dunkirk, but managed to escape by
sea back to Britain.
● On June 4th 1940, Winston Churchill delivered one
of the most inspirational and famous speeches of
all time. Winston Churchill was the British Prime
Minister at the time of WWII. In his speech, he
warned the public about the possibility of a German
invasion of Britain.
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may
be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on
the landing grounds, we shall fight on the fields and
in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall
never surrender.”
-
Winston Churchill
Britain and the empire stands alone (July 1940‒June 1941)

● During the Battle of Britain (July‒September 1940),

Britain withstood the German Air force, called the
Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe bombed London for 76 nights
running (the Blitz), then other cities such as Coventry.
Civilians took shelter in air raid shelters, train stations
and tunnels. However Britain was alone and was in
danger of losing the war. Eventually the British were
driven out of Greece and most of North Africa.

● Britain ran out of money and had no choice but to sign a

Lend-Lease Agreement with America. Which means
America sold arms to Britain, to be paid back after the
war.
The destruction on London caused by The Luftwaffe (Nazi air force) during the Battle of Britain.
The tide turns (1941‒1943)

● In June 1941, the Nazi invaded Russia, also

The Allies gradually began to win the war through
known as Operation Barbarossa, which broke
these accomplishments:
the peace treaty that German and Russia had.
Since Germany lost against Russia, it brought ● In June 1942, the Americans defeated the
Russia back into the war and it was the first Japanese at the Battle of Midway.
major defeat for Germany.
● In November 1942, the British won the Battle of El-
● On December 7th 1941, the Japanese Alamein in Egypt.
bombed Pearl Harbor because the U.S. was
● In January 1943, the Russians defeated the Nazis
trying to stop Japan from expanding and
at the Battle of Stalingrad.
preventing the Pacific Fleet. This brought
America into the war
Victory (1943‒1945)
● In 1944, the Nazi launched V-1 rockets which fell
randomly in southern Britain. However, after D-day (6
June 1944), Germany was pushed back into Western
Europe by the British, Americans and their allies. The
Allies continued to bomb on German cities.
● The Russians advanced in Eastern Europe and in April
they reached Berlin. At this point, the Allies controlled
most of Europe.
● When the Allies controlled most of Europe,
Hitler committed suicide and Germany
surrendered. The war came to an end in
Europe and VE Day (Victory in Europe Day)
was announced on 8 May 1945. Winston
Churchill announced this:
“We may allow ourselves a brief period of
rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment
the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”
-Winston
Churchill
In this quote, Churchill was referring about Japan,
where the war would continue for three months more.
 Victory (1943‒1945) Continued

● On August 6, 1945 the U.S dropped an atomic

bomb on Hiroshima, and again on Nagasaki on 9
August. Within weeks Japan surrendered, and VJ
Day (Victory over Japan Day) was announced 15
August 1945. Emperor Hirohito announces Japan’s
surrender in the war:

“The time has come when we must bear the

unbearable. ... I swallow my own tears and give
my sanction to the proposal to accept the Allied
proclamation.”

-Emperor Hirohito
Video of the Nazi Party expanding through Europe throughout WWII
After World War
Two
● Treaties
● Governments and Land
● The Creation of the UN
After WWII

● A conference was held in Potsdam, Germany,

to set up peace treaties. The countries that
fought with Hitler lost territory and had to pay
reparations to the Allies.

● Germany and its capital Berlin were divided

into four parts. The zones were to be
controlled by Great Britain, the United States,
France and the Soviet Union.The three
western Allies and the Soviet Union disagreed
on many things and as time went on Germany
was divided into two separate countries : East
Germany , which had a Communist
government and West Germany, which was a
democratic state
After WWII Continued

● It has been estimated that 50-80 million ● Russia started to take over countries in eastern Europe
people died in World War Two. and install Communist governments there. Europe was the
beginning of the Cold War, between the democratic
● The dropping of the atomic bomb on
nations of the west and the Communist countries of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki set an example for
eastern Europe. The Iron Curtain marked the border
the world which as a result made everyone
between these two regions.
terrified by the threat of atomic war.
The black
● Nazi leaders were arrested and punished for line is the
what they had done in the war. The most Iron Curtain
famous war trials were held at Nuremberg,
Germany and for those who were responsible
for brutal crimes were sentenced to death.
After WWII Continued

● In June 1948, the Soviet Union tried to drive the western powers out of Berlin by blocking all routes to
the city. For a whole year the Allies flew in food, fuel and other things that the population needed to
survive.

● In 1961 the Russians built a wall around Berlin to stop their citizens from escaping to the west. The
Berlin wall eventually came down on June 13, 1990

● In 1948 the United States set up the Marshall Plan to help Europe’s economy. Eighteen nations received
13 billion dollars worth of food machines and other goods.

● Four of the Allied powers—the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and China— agreed to
create an organization that should work for peace . In April 1945 fifty countries signed a charter and
created the United Nations.
Treaties After the War
Paris Treaties
● The Paris Peace Treaties were signed
on February 10 th 1947.
● The main Allies signed treaties with
Italy and the minor Axis Powers.
● The treaties allowed the counties to go
back to their own sovereign states.
● The treaties also included war
reparations that would need to be paid
by the minor Axis Powers.
Soviet-Japanese neutrality pact
● This was a pack signed by the
Soviet Union and Japan on April
13th 1941.
● This was signed two years after
the two countries had a border
war.
● It was to ensure both countries
would be neutral for the rest of
the war.
Nationalism and
Ultranationalism
● Nationalism
● Ultranationalism
Nationalism

Nationalism is when you are devoted to your nation

to a certain extent. For example when America went
to war with Japan people in that country went to
war by choice to ensure peace and security of their
nation.
Ultranationalism

Ultra national is an extreme form of nationalism where

people are extremely devoted to their nation. They are often
brainwashed by their government to think that they are
superior to everyone else. This often makes the people very
racist and harmful to other peoples. For example, during
WW2 hitler killed six million jews because they were inferior.
Another example is when the Japanese invaded Nanking and
massacred 100 000 chinese.
● Atrocities
Committed
● War Crimes
● Weapons Race
● Hitler Youth
● Book Burning
WW2 Deaths

Throughout the entire

war the total deaths in
the war were 50 000 000
to 80 000 000. Six
million of those deaths
were Jewish people.
Twenty million of those
deaths were military and
the rest were civilians.
The total deaths were
3% of the world's
population in the 1940s.
Deaths Continued

● 19 to 28 million of the deaths were war

related famine and disease. Five million
prisoners of war were also killed.
Methods of Killing

● The war much like the First World War was a war of appeasement. Either side of the war was trying to
starve the enemy and because of this 19 to 28 million of civilians died from famine and disease. 21 to 25
million soldiers died from war related methods of killing like being shot or exploded.

● The Germans also had specific methods of killing for prisoners of war and the Jews. At the beginning of
the war they used firing squads to kill a few people at a time. The firing squad was ineffective so Fritz
Haber which was a Jewish chemist who created the Zyklon B. Zyklon B was gas chamber to kill a few
hundred people at a time.

● The last main method of killing used both sides was bombing done by planes. Fleets of planed would
bomb entire cities culling many civilians, so when this was done it was usually a war crime.
War crimes (Allies)

● After the fall of Berlin, it is believed that the

Soviet Army alone was responsible for the
rape of up to two million women and children,
as well as the subsequent death of 240,000.
Also it is believed that the US was responsible
for over 11,000 rapes, while the French have
been accused of over 1,500.

● The U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

is considered a war crime because in the The
Geneva Convention explicitly declares that
the indiscriminate targeting of non-
combatants, such as civilians, is a war crime.
The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
War Crimes (Axis Power)

● Kristallnacht or The Night of Broken Glass is a massive, coordinated attack on Jews throughout the
German Reich on the night of November 9, 1938. It was called “The Night Of Broken Glass” because of
the cost of broken glass in looted Jewish shops—$5 million marks ($1,250,000).

● The Nanking Massacre or Rape of Nanking was a mass murder and rape by Japanese troops against the
residents of Nanjing (Nanking), then the capital of the Republic of China. Estimated 300,000 Chinese
soldiers and civilians were killed, and 20,000 women were raped. The Japanese committed war crimes
against innocent civilians, including mass execution, raping, looting, and burning.
Weapons Race

● Much like WW1 there was a large weapons race between the two sides of the war.
● Vehicles, planes, and ships became a large part of the weapons race. For example, armoured cars were
largely advanced as long with self propelled artillery. A larger amount of tanks were made compared to
WW1. Aircraft were streamlined and made more advanced as well as the first jets were made towards the
end of the war.
● Explosives were another area that was heavily advanced in. The grenade launcher as well as the frag
grenade were created around WW2. The atomic bomb was introduced by the United States in 1945 against
japan and eventually started the Cold War. Ground penetrating bombs and aerial bombs were advanced
greatly in the war.
● Lastly the rifles and other guns were made more efficient and effective. For example the tommy gun was
introduced in WW2. The sturmgewehr 44 and the lee Enfield Rifle were more effective long range guns that
were used in WW2.
Hitler Youth

● Hitler you was an organization that ran from

1922 to 1945. From 1933 until 1945, it was
the sole official youth organisation in
Germany and was partially a paramilitary
organisation.

● It was composed of male youth age 14-18.

● The purpose of the organization was to

brainwash and get soldiers ready for the war.
Book Burnings

Book burnings are a method of censorship that

involve burning books that offend, contradict,
portray a culture or religion as stronger than the
Jew’s, even if they don't portray a stronger religion,
it is still burned because they are a minority in
Germany, other than Jewish work. The largest book
burning taking place on May 10th, 1933. University
students burnt upwards of up to 25 000 “UN-
German scripts.”
Propaganda
Used and Tactics
Propaganda Used

Purpose

● The main use of propaganda in WW2 was to

recruit troops.

● It was also used to help finance the war. It

convinced Americans to give money for the
war effort.

● Additionally it was used to unify the country.

● It was used to get people to conserve

resources so they could hold out longer in the
war.

● It encouraged people to help at home like

work in weapons factories for example.
Propaganda Tactics

● The artist would sometimes portray the

enemy as a monster or a demon to evoke
feelings.

● Posters were used to appeal to people’s

feelings so they would join the army. Posters
would often portray destruction to evoke fear
or desperation.

● The artist would also put patriotic appeal in a

poster like the countries flag or soldier.

● Artists would also use name calling and a

slogan to get the audience's attention.

● Lastly they would use bandwagon, so they

would tell people that everyone was doing it.
● Current Status of the
Nations
● Political Cartoon
● Movie and Book
Review
Current Nations Status (Allies)
United States: The States is a super power country in the world currently but is very unstable. They are in 21 trillion
dollars of debt and are currently inhaled in wars in the Middle East. The country is ran by a democratic
government.

● According to information by the World Bank, in 2016 the United States had a GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
of $18.57 trillion USD and a GDP per capita of $57,466.79 USD

● According to an article written by WorldAtlas in 2017, the top five biggest economic industries are Real
Estate, Renting, Leasing, State/ Local Government, and Finance

United Kingdom: The UK is a currently a stable country that is run by a democratic government. They are currently
£1.7 trillion in debt. The UK is Europe’s third largest economy and is set to become the continent’s largest by
2030.

● According to information by the World Bank, in 2016 the United Kingdom had a GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) of $2.619 trillion USD and a GDP per capita of $39,899.39 USD

● According to an article written by PrimeFind in 2014 the top five biggest economic industries are
 Current Nation Status (Axis Power)
Germany: The economy of Germany is a highly developed social market economy. It has the largest national economy in
Europe, the fourth-largest by nominal GDP in the world, and fifth by GDP. The economic growth is projected to remain
solid, backed by robust world trade, investment and a booming labour market.

● According to information by the World Bank, in 2016, Germany had a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of $3.467
trillion USD and a GDP per capita of $41,936.06 USD

● According to an article written by WorldAtlas in 2018, the top five biggest economic industries are Machinery,
Automotive, Aviation Industry, Chemical And Medical Industry

Japan: The economy of Japan is a highly developed and market-oriented economy. It is the third-largest in the world by
nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by purchasing power parity. and is the world's second largest developed economy.
Economic growth is projected to reach 1¼ per cent in 2018 and 2019, supported by exports, business investment, etc.

● According to information by the World Bank, in 2016, Japan had a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of $4.939 trillion
USD and a GDP per capita of $38,894.47 USD

● According to an article written by WorldAtlas in 2018, the top five biggest economic industries are Agriculture,
Manufacturing, Fishing, Tourism, Mining exploration
Political Cartoon
● In today's world we enjoy amazing access to information from
all over the globe. Using the Internet, books,etc, we can easily
find answers to important questions on any subject, or look up
information just for fun. But imagine if the government said you
couldn't have access to this information. This leads us to a
practice called censorship. Censorship is defined as restricting
or hiding information so it cannot be accessed. Author Ray
Bradbury does this in his novel, Fahrenheit 451.

● In this political cartoon, since China is a Communist

government, they censor and restrict the society from some
certain information found on the internet. You can see Google,
Yahoo, and Microsoft is censoring information from the internet
because the Communist government want to resist the
Constitution or laws or the implementation of administrative
regulations from being broken, etc.
Review of Fahrenheit 451

● The government in Fahrenheit 451 destroys any

propaganda such as books that might oppose with
their own propaganda. By eliminating the
opposition, the people are forced to believe in
which the government’s propaganda. This is known
as censorship.

● The symbol “451” on the firemen's helmets serves

to reinforce the idea that burning books is good.
The society thinks Firemen as a protective force.
This is a propaganda in a form of “451”, similar to
ways nations promote patriotism and nationalism
in their flags, symbols, mottos, etc
Movie Summary: Hacksaw Ridge

The movie follows the main character who is Desmond dT. Doss And it’s the true story on how he won the
Congressional Medal of Honor. The movie is mainly set in the year 1945 around the battle of Okinawa. It starts out
with Desmond T. Doss as a young boy playing with his brother Harold Doss who are play fighting and Desmond
nearly kills his brother with a blow to the head.

The movie then fast forwards to Desmond as a young man in the US who meets a woman who he soon falls in
love with. Later the war started with the Japanese attacking the US and doss is shook by the Pearl Harbour Attack
and wants to help join the war effort. His dad (Tom Doss) who served in the First World War is a drunk, but
disagrees with his sons decision to enter the war.

He later leaves to go train for the war in a training camp in the US. Once he arrives at the camp he participates in
all of the training except rifle training because he is a conscientious objector, so he will never pick up a gun or kill
anyone. Because of this his squad is pushed to do extra work to hopefully get rid of doss but it doesn’t work and
eventually his squad members attack him while he’s asleep to send him a message to leave. Despite this having
happened he pushed on because he wanted to do his part in the war.
Movie Summary Continued

After training was completed the soldiers were allowed a couple days back home before they were shipped out.
Doss was going to use this for his wedding day but when he went to get his papers he didn’t finish the training,
and the only thing he had to do was fire a rifle. He refused to do so because of when he almost killed his dad with
a gun when his dad was drunk. Doss refused the direct order that was given to him by his general and because of
this he was thrown in a military prison and was awaiting his court date.

On his court date he his almost proven guilty but before the verdict was made his dad came in wearing his WW1
uniform and it turns out he served alongside the general who put up the charges that were against Doss, so they
were dropped. Doss was allowed to enter the war as a medic.

Doss and his squad arrive at hacksaw Ridge and soon go to up to attack. The win the first attack with many
casualties, and bunker down for the night. The next day they are attack and are pushed off the ridge with many
wounded soldier up on the ridge. Doss decides to stay and over the course of a day he drags and lowered 75
people from the ridge.
Movie Summary Continued

Following his very heroic act, Doss made his way down
the ridge, and to everyone’s surprise they seen it was
Doss that was the one who was doing this. They seen
that the guy they thought was the weakest turned out to
be the bravest out of everyone.

The next day they attack the ridge again and finally take
the ridge. Doss was injured by a grenade, but was ok.
 Genocide Bibliography
● BBC Bitesize. Analysis: Problems after WWI
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/z8vt9qt/revision/1
This site is an accurate way of getting reliable information about the effects of WWI on Germany

● Mashable. Analysis: Information about the Hyperinflation of the Mark

https://mashable.com/2016/07/27/german-hyperinflation/#5GuIaP6rTsqs
This site is a reliable source and helps us understand how inflated the Mark was.

● U.S. Health Government: Analysis: Minimum Calorie intake

https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-2/
This site is a reliable source for health information because it’s written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.

● BBC Bitesize: Analysis: Information about WWII

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/z9s9q6f/revision/1
This site is an accurate way of getting reliable information about the effects of WWII on Germany
 Genocide Bibliography
● Factors that started WW2
https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/causes_of_ww2.php
Ducksters is a safe, extensive, educational portal for kids. They use reliable sources and they cite all their sources.

● Video of the atomic bomb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxWNAM8Cso
The Video shows the perspective of the Japanese and the Americans on the plane. BBC is a well known and reliable
source of information

● Facts about Emperor Hirohito

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/08/emperor-hirohito-surrender-japan-hiroshima/400328/
The atlantic uses sources are generally trustworthy for information, and safe to use
 Genocide Bibliography
● After WW2
https://ww2db.com/intro.php?q=6
This site is an accurate way of getting reliable information about the effects of WWII

● The night of broken glass

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-night-of-broken-glass
This site is an accurate way of getting reliable information about the Night of Broken Glass

● War crimes on the Allies

https://listverse.com/2012/12/14/top-10-allied-war-crimes-of-world-war-ii/
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words

● Biggest industries in the us

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-biggest-industries-in-the-united-states.html
World Atlas is used as a resource for educators, students, and those who are simply curious about the world around
them
 Genocide Bibliography
● Biggest industries in the uk
https://primeofficespace.co.uk/latest/top-ten-industries-in-uk/
This site is an accurate way of getting reliable information about the UK biggest industries

● Biggest industries in Germany

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-biggest-industries-in-germany.htm
World Atlas is used as a resource for educators, students, and those who are simply curious about the world around
them

● Information about war casualties

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
Teachers and students use this source to get information

● Propaganda (this site is an accurate way of getting reliable information)

https://sites.google.com/site/propagandainworldwarii/home/introduction/task/process/background-
information/propaganda-techniques