Learning Objective
Explain similarities and differences in how governments used a variety of methods to conduct war.
Historical Developments
World War II was a total war. Governments used a variety of strategies, including political propaganda, art, media, and intensified forms of nationalism, to mobilize populations (both in the home countries and the colonies or former colonies) for the purpose of waging war. Governments used ideologies, including fascism and communism to mobilize all of their state’s resources for war and, in the case of totalitarian states, to repress basic freedoms and dominate many aspects of daily life during the course of the conflicts and beyond.
Western democracies mobilizing for war:
- Great Britain under Winston Churchill
- United States under Franklin Roosevelt
Totalitarian states mobilizing for war:
- Germany under Adolf Hitler
- USSR under Joseph Stalin
New military technology and new tactics, including the atomic bomb, fire-bombing, and the waging of “total war” led to increased levels of wartime casualties.
Reading Questions
Total War
How was the role of women similar and different in the US, Germany and USSR
Why was the US able to produce more than others during the war?
Why was the Japanese government reluctant to use female workers? how did they solve that issue?
Why were people of Japanese ancestry interned in camps in the US?
European Theater
Describe the significance of the Non-Aggression pact
Why was Germany successful early during the war especially in Poland?
What were the turning points of the war in Europe and why are they considered turning points?
What effect did firebombing have on the European theater?
Pacific Theater
Why did the US join the war and what was the biggest impact?
Describe the Island hopping strategy
What effect did fire bombing have on Japan?
What were the turning points of the war in the Pacific and why are they considered turning points?
Total War
World War II was a total war. Governments used a variety of strategies, including political propaganda, art, media, and intensified forms of nationalism, to mobilize populations
The Theaters of WWII
In the 1930's, nationalistic, militaristic and xenophobic governments emerged in both Japan and Germany. Both nations were resentful of a world order dominated by the Western powers. Germany was resentful of losing WWI and the unfair treatment that a resulted from the Treaty of Versailles. Japan resented being treated as inferiors during the signing of the Treaty of Versailles despite being on the winning side.
Both Japan and Germany were industrialized countries, but both lacked major empires (Germany lost its small empire in World War I) and had few of the natural resources needed by an industrial power. Both countries believed they were genetically superior to other "races" and were determined to build an expansive empire through military aggression.
Both Japan and Germany were industrialized countries, but both lacked major empires (Germany lost its small empire in World War I) and had few of the natural resources needed by an industrial power. Both countries believed they were genetically superior to other "races" and were determined to build an expansive empire through military aggression.
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