The World Wars: Key Events and Figures

Prelude to World War II

• Post World War I, several key figures such as Hitler, Mussolini, Churchill, Patton, and MacArthur rose to prominence.
• Post-WWI prosperity in America ended with the 1929 Stock Market Crash, leading to the Great Depression.
• The economic downturn spread globally, impacting Europe and notably Germany, which was burdened with war reparations.

Rise of Dictators

• Adolf Hitler:

  • Utilized the Great Depression to build the Nazi Party.
  • Presented his vision through speeches and propaganda, rallying support for reversing the Treaty of Versailles and promoting anti-Semitic ideologies.
  • Used the Night of the Long Knives to eliminate political enemies and gain control of Germany.
  • Rebuilt Germany’s military secretly, violating the Treaty of Versailles.

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR):

  • Overcame polio to become President of the USA.
  • Introduced the New Deal to combat the Great Depression, focusing on public works programs.
  • Reduced military spending by 51% to fund the New Deal, causing tension with military leaders like Douglas MacArthur.

• Winston Churchill:

  • Initially seen as a maverick in British politics.
  • Advocated for strong military defense in Britain.
  • Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty as tensions increased in Europe.

Formation of the Axis Powers

• Italy and Mussolini:

  • Mussolini expanded territory by invading Ethiopia, inspiring Hitler.
  • Formed an alliance with Hitler.

• Japan and Hideki Tojo:

  • Japan sought to expand into the Pacific, focusing on the Philippines held by the USA.
  • Joined forces with Germany and Italy.

Key Events Leading to World War II

• Hitler’s aggressive expansion:

  • Reclaimed the Rhineland, annexed Austria, and took the Sudetenland with little resistance.
  • Formed a non-aggression pact with Stalin, allowing him to invade Poland.

• Appeasement and Opposition:

  • Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement allowed Hitler to expand unchecked.
  • Winston Churchill emerged as a vocal critic, warning of the dangers of appeasement.

Outbreak of World War II

• September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland, triggering World War II.
• Hitler’s blitzkrieg tactics lead to rapid German expansion.
• Churchill becomes Prime Minister as Hitler’s forces threaten Europe.

Key Battles and Strategies

• The Fall of France: Germany's swift victory over France.
• The London Blitz: Nazi air raids aimed to terrorize Britain, met with Churchill’s defiance.
• Battle of Britain: British Royal Air Force fights off the Luftwaffe, delivering Hitler’s first major defeat.

Pacific Theater

• Japan's Expansion:
  • Japan sought resources, primarily oil, leading to tension with the USA.
  • Roosevelt imposed an oil embargo, leading to Japan considering aggressive expansion.

Pearl Harbor and America’s Entry into the War

• December 7, 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, bringing the USA into World War II.
• Douglas MacArthur tasked with defending the Philippines against potential Japanese invasion.

Conclusion

• The stage was set for a global conflict with major powers aligned along Axis and Allied lines.
• Leadership, military strategy, and geopolitical ambitions drove nations into the second World War, reshaping the world order.