Ch 14: World War II (1939-1945)
About This Chapter
World War II (1939-1945) - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
The significance of World War II on individuals, families, and nations is immense. This chapter explores what events instigated the war, what led to American involvement, and where much of the actual fighting took place. While facilitating a consciousness for the atrocities that occurred, the lessons provide information about a war that should never be forgotten. This chapter can help you understand the following about World War II:
- Precipitating events
- Which nations were involved
- Where the war was fought
- Significance of the attack on Pearl Harbor
- The Holocaust
- Pivotal battles
- Impact of atomic weaponry
- U.S. diplomacy and politics
Video | Objective |
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Occupations, Agreements and Appeasement: Causes of the Second World War | Learn about aggressions, negotiations, and policies that played a part in the onset of WW II. |
World War II: The Start of the Second World War | Explore the German and Japanese invasions that spurred nations to declare war. |
The Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Beginning of American Involvement in World War II | Understand the significance of the attack on Pearl Harbor and how it brought an end to American neutrality. |
The European Theater in World War II: The Eastern Front, Western Front and Fight for North Africa | Learn about strategy and where European battles took place. |
The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism and Genocide in Nazi Germany | Establish an understanding of the Holocaust and Nazi Germany's attempt to eliminate Jewish people and other groups. |
The Pacific Ocean Theater of WW II: Japan vs. The Allies | Look into America's engagement strategy while fighting Japan in the Pacific. |
The D-Day Invasion: The Beginning of the End of Nazi Germany | Learn about the infamous D-Day invasion of France that led to Germany's surrender. |
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: How the Atomic Bomb Changed Warfare During WWII | Recognize how the development of the atomic bomb and its use changed the war. |
The Yalta Conference and The Potsdam Conference: U.S. Diplomacy & International Politics During World War II | Be aware of allied forces' meetings and arrangements to bring an end to the war and plan for post-war life among nations. |

1. Occupations, Agreements & Appeasement: Causes of the Second World War
Multiple events lead up to the Second World War, such as the Anti-Comintern Pact targeting communists in Germany, and the Anschluss, which generally refers to the annexing of Austria. Learn about Germany's provocations, alliances, territorial expansion, agreements, and appeasements that preceded Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939.

2. World War II: The Start of the Second World War
Although the League of Nations was created following World War I with the primary goal of preventing future conflicts, the world was once again engaged in the Second World War within two decades of the first. Explore the factors leading to WWII, and examine key fascist, Axis leaders and Asia's roles in America's declaration of war.

3. The Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Beginning of American Involvement in World War II
Although the United States was determined to avoid direct involvement in World War II, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed America's stance and thrust the country into war. Learn what led to America's involvement in the Second World War, including Japan's rivalry with the United States and undeclared war, and the warning signs of the impending attack, and discover what happened in the attack and its effects.

4. The European Theater in WWII: The Eastern Front, Western Front & Fight for North Africa
World War II was the largest military conflict in history, involving multiple countries. Explore various important events from the war, from battles in both the eastern and western fronts of the European theater to the fight for North Africa.

5. The Holocaust: Antisemitism and Genocide in Nazi Germany
During the Holocaust, Nazis sought to create a 'master race' and began a genocidal program called the Final Solution to kill all Jewish people in Europe. Explore the Holocaust, antisemitism, Nazi Germany, Auschwitz, and the Final Solution.

6. The Pacific Ocean Theater of WWII: Japan vs. The Allies
Japan sought domination of the Pacific theater during World War II. Dive deep into the Japanese strategy to win, and the Allied attempts to stop them, focusing on some of the most important battles of the Pacific.

7. The D-Day Invasion: The Beginning of the End of Nazi Germany
The end of Nazi Germany was catalyzed by WWII in 1942. Learn how Operation Overlord, D-Day, France's liberation, the Battle of the Bulge, and VE Day all contributed to the fall of Nazi Germany.

8. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: How the Atomic Bomb Changed Warfare During WWII
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States developed the atomic bomb through the secret Manhattan Project. Discover the events leading up to and monumental impact of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

9. The Yalta Conference and The Potsdam Conference: US Diplomacy & International Politics During World War II
The Yalta Conference involved planning the future of Europe and the Potsdam Conference involved planning the remake of Germany. Explore US diplomacy and international politics during World War II and the main points of both conferences.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the History 102: Western Civilization II course
- Introduction to Western Civilization II
- Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe (1648-1715)
- Power Shifts in Eastern Europe (1648-1740)
- Empire and Expansion in the 18th Century (1700-1799)
- The Scientific Revolution & the Enlightenment (1500-1790)
- The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte (1780-1815)
- Industrialization (1700-1900)
- Political Developments (1760-1848)
- The Age of Nationalism (1850-1914)
- European Life and Trends (1850-1914)
- Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries
- World War I (1914-1919)
- Between the World Wars (1919-1939)
- Western Civilization Since 1945
- Studying for History 102