A History of the United States: Chapter 27: America and World War II

Once in control, these leaders became dictators who claimed absolute power and ruled their people by force.

Hitler blamed the Jews, including German Jews, for Germany's problems. His anti-Semitism—hatred of the Jews—would lead to unspeakable horrors.

In a totalitarian state, leaders crush all opposition and totally control all aspects of society.

In the late 1920s, Joseph Stalin rose to power as the Communist leader of the Soviet Union. He used force to obtain obedience from his people.

Next, Hitler insisted German-speaking Austria be unified with Germany.

Czechoslovakia was ready to fight, but Britain and France sought a peaceful solution. They thought they could avoid the outbreak of war by giving in to Germany's demands—a policy known as appeasement.

The German attack on Poland was swift and fierce. The Germans called the offensive a blitzkrieg or "lightning war."

While German planes hit their targets, German tanks punched through Polish defenses.

In the Atlantic Charter, the two nations urged disarmament—giving up weapons.

Roosevelt froze all Japanese funds, or money, in U.S. banks.

The War Production Board supervised the change from peacetime industries to war production. It helped automakers shift from making cars to building trucks, jeeps, tanks, and planes.

The government rationed these products, meaning consumers could buy only limited numbers or amounts of them.

Many Americans had to face a much more serious sacrifice—separation from a family member serving overseas.

The army forced them to move to internment camps, which were crowded and uncomfortable.

Although Japan was taking territories in the Pacific, the Allies decided to concentrate on defeating Hitler first.

The Germans then began a siege, or military blockade, of Leningrad

Eisenhower later wrote of the tense days of preparation: "All southern England was one vast military camp, crowded with soldiers awaiting final word to go."

During the war, the Nazis had developed what they called the "final solution." This "solution" was genocide—wiping out an entire group of people.

About two-thirds of Europe's Jews—6 million people—were murdered in the Holocaust.

About 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps, large prison camps used to hold people for political reasons.

At six o'clock the bell rang. The death knell. The funeral. The procession was beginning its march.

After intense fighting, U.S. forces were able to secure the island.

In desperation, the Japanese unleashed suicide pilots—kamikazes. These pilots crashed their planes into U.S. ships and sank several destroyers during the battle for Okinawa.

World War II was the most destructive conflict in history. More than 55 million people died.