The document provides background information on the interwar period and World War 2. It discusses the Russian Revolution and establishment of the USSR. The Bolshevik revolution established a communist government led by Lenin that nationalized industries and abolished private property. A civil war ensued from 1918 to 1921 which the Red Army won, consolidating Bolshevik rule. Stalin later established a totalitarian dictatorship through policies like collectivization, industrialization and the Gulag system. The document also covers the rise of fascism in Germany under Hitler and Italy under Mussolini as responses to economic crisis and a rejection of democracy.

1. Unit 6:
INTERWAR
YEARS
& WW2
4ºESO
IES Camilo José Cela
Teacher: Rocío Bautista

2. • 1917: Russian Revolution
• 1918: End of WW1
• 1919-20: Paris Peace Conference
• 1920’s  economic prosperity
(“The Roaring 20’s”)
1930’s  economic crisis
(“The Great Depression”)
INTERWAR PERIOD
1918 - 39
WW2
1939 - 45
Rise of
Totalitarism:
Fascism &
Nazism

3. THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION &
THE CREATION OF THE USSR

4. Russia had
become a very
extensive empire:
•Limits in the West: Baltic
Sea & Black Sea
•Limits in the East:
Pacific Ocean
Russia before the Revolution

5. It had a huge
population (170 million
people), the biggest of
Europe, and it was
formed by multiple
nationalities (over 200
ethnic groups).
Russia before the Revolution

6.  It had an agrarian economy:
 Industry was scarce  3 million
proletariats.
 Most of the population (80%)
were peasants  little changes
since the Middle Ages, so the
agrarian production was very
low: not enough to feed its
huge population.
Compared to Western Europe, Russia was economically,
socially & politically backwards
Russia before the Revolution

7.  Most of the population were
illiterate & many were still serfs
under the control of wealthy
landowners.
Russia before the Revolution
Compared to Western Europe, Russia was economically,
socially & politically backwards

8. Russia before the Revolution
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia,
last emperor of Russia
 Politically, it was an autocratic state  it was an
absolute monarchy (≠ liberalism: no constitution,
parliament, separation of powers, elections…).
It was ruled by the TSARS (“Zares”) of the Romanov
dynasty. The term “tsar” is derived from the Latin
word “Caesar”, which meant "Emperor“.
Compared to Western Europe, Russia was economically,
socially & politically backwards

9. Causes of the
Russian
Revolution
HUGE ECONOMIC & SOCIAL INEQUALITIES:
- Minority  a rich aristocracy that owned
most of the land & factories.
- Majority  extremely poor peasants &
proletariats that lived in very bad
conditions.
POLITICAL DISCONTENT DUE TO
THE AUTOCRATIC
GOVERNMENT OF THE TSARS.
These 2 factors led to
a double opposition
to the tsarist regime
Bourgeoisie  wanted moderate reforms: liberal
monarchy.
Peasants & proletariat  wanted more radical
reforms: dictatorship of the proletariat (communist
revolution). Represented by the Bolshevik party.

10. REVOLUTION OF 1905
 CAUSES: general discontent +
military defeat against Japan
(Russo-Japanese war)
 It forced the Tsar to introduce
some changes:
• A parliament (Duma) was created
• A Constitution was written
• Political parties were allowed
However, in fact the autocracy remained:
• 50% of the members of the Duma were appointed by the Tsar.
• Laws had to be approved by the Duma & by the Tsar.

11. BLOODY SUNDAY /
RED SUNDAY
(St. Petersburg. January 22nd, 1905)
It started in January 1905 when people marched pacifically towards
the Winter Palace to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia,
and were brutally fired upon by the Imperial Guard.

12. REVOLUTION OF 1905
Although the revolution failed (Russia continued to be an
autocratic regime), it had important consequences:
• It broke the bond between the Tsar & most of the
Russian population.
• It led to the radicalization of the opposition.
• It served as a serious warning of what might happen in
the future.

13. Activity 1
a) Define the following words”:
• Tsar
• Duma
b) What problems of the Tsarist Russia were the main
causes of the Revolutions of 1905 and 1917? What
double opposition did these problems gave rise to?
c) Explain the beginning & the outcome of the
Revolution of 1905.

14. REVOLUTION OF 1917
 CAUSES: general discontent + problems caused by WW1:
 Military defeats
 Famine
 ≈ 3 million deaths
1st) BOURGEOIS REVOLUTION (moderate reforms; supported Capitalism)
 February 1917
2nd) BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION (radical reforms; supported Communism)
 October 1917

15. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bourgeois revolution (February 1917)
 In February 1917
protests over the
scarcity of food erupt
in Petrograd (modern
day St. Petersburg).
 Russian army unexpectedly
switched their support to the
protesters.

16. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bourgeois revolution (February 1917)
 Nicholas II was forced to
abdicate his throne & a
republic was established.
 A liberal & bourgeois
government took control
provisionally (until the
summoning of elections).

17. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bourgeois revolution (February 1917)
 The slow & moderate reforms undertaken by the liberal & bourgeois
government, and their decision to remain in WW1, didn’t satisfy the
working class, who continued riots & organized themselves in
“soviets”: councils of proletariats, peasants & soldiers.

18. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bolshevik revolution (October 1917)
 In October 1917 a radical
revolution overthrew the
liberal & bourgeois
government, and the
Bolsheviks took control
provisionally. The new
government was led by
Lenin.

19. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bolshevik revolution (October 1917)
 Measures undertaken by the provisional government of the
“Bolsheviks” (or Communist Party):
 Russia abandoned WW1 (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918)
 Private property was abolished. Land, factories, banks,
transports, etc. were nationalized and…:
 Large estates of land were transferred to the peasants
 Factories were controlled by the proletariat

20. REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Bolshevik revolution (October 1917)
 Russians voted to form a
democratically elected Constituent
Assembly (assembly to create a
Constitution). The Bolsheviks
expected to win the elections, but
didn’t (only 25% of the votes).
 In January 1918 the Lenin took power
by a coup d’état, when the Bolshevik
Red Guards dissolved the Constituent
Assembly by force. This led to a civil
war between Bolsheviks & people that
opposed the revolution.

21.  1918 – 1921: CIVIL WAR
RED ARMY
(Bolsheviks)
Led by Trotsky
WHITE ARMY
(coalition of counter-
revolutionaries)  supporters
of monarchy, liberalism, less
radical forms of socialism….
Helped by liberal democratic
countries (UK, France, US…)
VS
REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Civil War (1918 – 21)

22.  During the Civil War the Imperial Romanov family was executed by the
Bolsheviks (July 1918) .
REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Civil War (1918 – 21)

23.  During the Civil War the Bolsheviks established
an economic policy called “War Communism”:
 Factories were controlled by the State.
 The State took peasants’ agricultural surpluses.
 The State rationed food .
 Private companies were banned and now
controlled by the State.
REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Civil War (1918 – 21)
RESULT  - Drop of industrial production
- A Black Market flourished
- Drop of harvests & famine

24.  1921: the Red Army’s victory consolidate the Bolshevik revolution. Lenin
Bolshevik propaganda depicting
Trotsky (Red Army) as a knight
killing a dragon (that represents
the counter-revolution, word that
is written on its body).
REVOLUTION OF 1917:
Civil War (1918 – 21)

25. LENIN’S GOVERNMENT
(1921 – 24)
 Lenin established a
dictatorship: he held all the
power.
 He created the USSR (Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics)  it
was a federal state made up of
Russia & other Asian republics.

26. LENIN’S GOVERNMENT
(1921 – 24)
 Lenin adopted a New Economic
Policy (NEP):
 Combined communism &
capitalism:
• The Government controlled
major businesses
• People could control small
businesses & earn some profits.
 It enabled the Russian
economy to recover.

27. STALIN’S GOVERNMENT
(1927 – 53)
 A totalitarian political system was
established, which used state violence to
purge society of any opponent.

28. A secret police (KGVD) to crush any opposition to Stalin’s regime inside the
Communist Party, the Army of among the population.
Stalin’s Great Terror

29. Gulag: system of forced labour camps.
Stalin’s Great Terror

30. Propaganda was used to show Stalin as a
winner & a leader that cared for the people.

31. STALIN’S GOVERNMENT
(1927 – 53)
 Stalin abandoned the NEP and established a communist economy (totally
controlled by the State):
 Land was collectively owned
 Large factories were created by the state
(metallurgical, chemical & arms industries)
 Banks, transports & other services were
nationalized
 The state planned each area of production (5-
years plans established objectives to be fulfilled
in that period of time)
Made the
USSR became
a major
economic &
military power

33. Activity 2
a) Define: Soviet / USSR / NEP / Gulag / Stalinism
b) Fill in the chart
c) What decisions did the Communist Party took after the October
Revolution?
d) Lenin definitely held the power of Russia in January 1918. Was he
chosen democratically? Explain your answer
e) Who confronted in the Russian Civil War? When did it take place
and who won?
Chronology
Type of reforms & economic
system they wanted?
Consequences
BOURGEOIS
REVOLUTION
BOLSHEVIK
REVOLUTION

34. ECONOMY IN THE
INTERWAR PERIOD
- The Roaring Twenties
- The Great Depression

35. RISE OF TOTALITARIANISM
- Fascism
- Nazism

36. Crisis of democracy &
rise of totalitarianism
Post war difficulties (Great Depression) encouraged the development of new
ideologies against democratic & parliamentary systems: TOTALITARIAN
REGIMES.
• One party had total control over society
• Supported by the middle class (unhappy due to the decrease of their standard of
living).
DEMOCRACY
Maintained in:
 US
 UK
 France
 Others… (Netherlands, Belgium,
Scandinavian countries…)
TOTALITARIAN REGIMES
Appeared in:
 Italy (Fascist)
 Germany (Fascist)
 Spain (Fascist)
 Russia (Communist)

37. Characteristics
of totalitarianism
Economic control
-The state directed the
economy.
-They were:
•Anti-capitalist (doesn’t
support free market)
•Anti-communist (doesn’t
deny private property nor
support equality)
Rejection of equality
Certain groups were considered superior:
- members of the single party
- certain races (racism)
- men
Fanaticism (irrational
thinking)
-Defended blind
obedience to their
leader.
- Used symbols, songs,
emblems, uniforms… to
unify their followers
ULTRA-
NATIONALISM
- Exalted the
greatness of the
nation
- Supported
imperialism
(conquest of new
territories)
MILITARISM
Defended a
strong military &
war as instruments
of power &
prestige.
Social control
Through…:
-Propaganda
- Education (e.g.: Hitler Youth)
- Censorship of the media
Authoritarian political system
- One political party held absolute power.
Led by a charismatic leader:
· Mussolini  Italy
· Hitler  Germany
- No personal freedom nor political
pluralism. All opposition was repressed
violently.

38. Germany:
ADOLF HITLER
(Führer)
Leader of the
NATIONAL SOCIALIST GERMAN
WORKERS’ PARTY
(Partido Nacionalsocialista Obrero Alemán)
Italy:
BENITO MUSSOLINI
(Il Duce)
Leader of the NATIONAL
FASCIST PARTY
(Partido Nacional Fascista)

39. Propaganda
used by the
NATIONAL
SOCIALIST
GERMAN
WORKERS’ PARTY
“Our Last Hope:
HITLER”

40. HITLER YOUTH
(“Juventudes
Hitlerianas”)
 Indoctrinated children in Nazi
ideology, including racism.
 Many activities closely resembled
military training.
 Membership became compulsory
for youngsters over 10 years old.
Belly-button scene
(“Life is Beautiful”)
Youth organization
of the Nazi Party

41. TOTALITARIAN FANATICISM

42. Activity 3
a) Define:
• Führer
• Hitler Youth
b) What caused the rise of totalitarianism?
c) P. 132  exercises 1, 2, 3

43. Fascism in Italy
Italy:
BENITO MUSSOLINI
(Il Duce)
Leader of the NATIONAL
FASCIST PARTY
(Partido Nacional Fascista)

44. Fascism in Italy
CAUSES OF THE RISE OF FASCISM IN ITALY:
 Discontent with the peace agreements of WW1
(Italy didn't receive the territories they had
been promised).
 Economic crisis after WW1 that led to workers’ revolutionary
movements that frightened the most conservative population
who didn’t want Communism to rise. Fascism was presented as
an alternative between democracy (liberalism) & communism.

45. In 1919 – 1920 a wave of strikes
& revolts of the proletariat
frightened the most
conservative people, who were
afraid of the rise of
Communism in Italy.

46. Fascism in Italy
Benito Mussolini created the NATIONAL FASCIST
PARTY (1921), that used paramilitary violent
groups (the “Blackshirts”) to crush the workers’
revolutionary movement.

47. The symbol of the NATIONAL FASCIST PARTY was a “Fasces”: bundle of
wooden sticks to which an axe is attached.
It suggested strength through unity (a single rod is easily broken, while the
bundle is very difficult to break).

49. Fascism in Italy
The successful interventions of the
Blackshirts to stop the workers’ revolts
granted Mussolini the support of the
middle & upper classes, the Church & the
king (Victor Emmanuel III), as they saw
him as the way to halt Communism.
His increasing popularity encouraged
Mussolini to organise a MARCH ON ROME
(1922), after which he was appointed
Prime Minister by the King.

50. Fascism in Italy
Once in power, Mussolini established a dictatorship (1922 – 1943):
 Complete control over the country
 One single party (PNF), the rest were prohibited
 Restricted freedoms
 All opposition was repressed with a secret police (OVRA)
 Directed the economy
 Social control (propaganda & censorship)

51. Organizzazione per la Vigilanza e la Repressione
dell'Antifascismo (OVRA)
• Secret police during the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini to stop
any anti-Fascist activity.
• It is believed that about 4,000 people were arrested by the OVRA and
either tried by the Tribunale Speciale or sent into exile on remote
Mediterranean islands.

52. Benito Mussolini died in the final days of WW2 (April
1945), when he was executed by Italian communists.

53. VIDEO ITALIAN FASCISM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tC23t_X5A

54. Activity 4
a) Define:
• Fascism
• Blackshirts
• March on Rome
• OVRA
b) Explain the main causes of the rise of Fascism in Italy.
c) Which social groups supported Mussolini’s National Fascist
Party and why?
d) Give 5 characteristics of Mussolini’s dictatorship.

55. Nazism in Germany
Germany:
ADOLF HITLER
(Führer)
Leader of the
NATIONAL SOCIALIST
GERMAN WORKERS’ PARTY
(Partido Nacionalsocialista Obrero
Alemán)

56. Nazism in Germany
At the Paris Peace Conference (1919-20), Germany had to sign the
Treaty of Versailles which was seen as an insult to national pride.
At the end of WW1 there was a revolution in Germany
that forced the emperor (William II) to abdicate.
Germany became a democratic republic: “WEIMAR
REPUBLIC” (1918 – 1933)

59. Nazism in Germany
CAUSES OF THE RISE OF NAZISM IN
GERMANY:
 Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of
Versailles at the end of WW1.
Germany felt humiliated.
 Economic problems after WW1 (unemployment, inflation, debt…)
 Social unrest during the Weimar Republic (attempts of revolutions
& coup d'états)

60. Nazism in Germany
The post-war crisis led to the
foundation of the NATIONAL
SOCIALIST GERMAN WORKERS’ PARTY
(NSDAP or Nazi Party) in 1920.
• Its leader was Adolf Hitler.
• It had a violent paramilitary group
(“SA”) that attacked the
communists, trade unions, jews…

62. Nazism in Germany
Hitler was supported by:
 Middle class, specially after the
crisis of 1929, when many were
ruined
 Upper class (capitalists) who were
afraid of the expansion of
communism.

63. Nazism in Germany
ELECTIONS OF 1932: the Nazi Party won the elections (over 13 millions
votes  37%). Thus, in 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor (Primer
Minister) of Germany.

64. Nazism in Germany
Once in power, Hitler ended the Weimar Republic and established a
fierce dictatorship known as “Third Reich” (1933 – 1945):
 One single party (NSDAP or Nazi Party), the rest were prohibited
 No individual freedoms
 All opposition was repressed with the secret police (Gestapo).
 Idea of superiority of the Aryan race & persecution of Jews (anti-Semitism)
 Control of the economy
 Trade unions were forbidden
 Social control (propaganda, censorship, Hitler Youth)
 Military & expansionist policy that led to WW2  Hitler rejected the Treaty
of Versailles and began a rearmament policy.

65. GESTAPO SS (Schutzstaffel)
Responsible for enforcing the racial
policy of Nazi Germany, and running
the concentration camps.
Secret police in charge of
investigating anti-Nazi activities
(spying, treason & sabotage
cases against the Nazi party.

66. NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES (1934)
(“Noche de los cuchillos largos”)
• Series of political extrajudicial executions to purge Germany of any
opposition and consolidate Hitler's power.
• Many of those killed were leaders of the SA.

67. Nuremberg Laws (1935): antisemitic laws in Nazi
Germany.
• Marriages between Jews and
Germans were forbidden
• Only those of German blood were
considered to be citizens (the rest
were classified as State subjects)

68. NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS (1938)
(“Noche de los cristales rotos”)
• Massacre & persecution against Jews carried out
by SA paramilitary forces and German civilians.
• Jewish businesses, homes, synagogues, hospitals,
schools… were destroyed or damaged.

69. JEWISH GHETTOS
During WW2 the Nazis set up ghettos across occupied Europe in order to
segregate and confine Jews.

70. PEOLPE LIVED IN
MISERABLE
CONDICTIONS IN THE
CONCENTRATION
CAMPS

71. CONCENTRATION CAMPS 
Auschwitz (POLAND)
Jews arrived
at Auschwitz
by train
“Work sets you free”: slogan at the
entrance of concentration camps.
Gas chamber &
crematorium

72. NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS & JEWISH GHETTOS

73. NAZI HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION
• Nazi Physicians undertook medical experiments
on large numbers of prisoners, including children,
at concentration camps.
• Typically, the experiments resulted in death,
trauma, disfigurement or permanent disability.

74. VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUTS
http://www.abc.es/cultura/20130305/abci-nuevo-
estudio-sobre-holocausto-201303051315.html
Calculating the numbers of individuals who were killed as the result of Nazi policies
is a difficult task. There is no single wartime document created by Nazi officials that
spells out how many people were killed in the Holocaust or World War II.
Historical estimations

75. It is believed that Adolf Hitler committed suicide together
with his wife (Eva Braun) in his bunker in Berlin at the end of
WW2 (April 1945).
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-
hitler-commits-suicide-in-his-underground-bunker
Both he and his wife swallowed cyanide
capsules. For good measure, he shot
himself with his pistol.

76. VIDEO GERMAN NAZISM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgVJ9rNE4ak

77. Activity 5
a) Define:
• Nazism
• SA
• Gestapo
• SS
b) Explain the main causes of the rise of Nazism in Germany.
c) Which social groups supported Hitler’s National Socialist
German Workers’ Party and why?
d) Give 7 characteristics of Hitler’s dictatorship.

78. WW2
1939 - 1945

79. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
main contenders
THE ALLIES
(“Los aliados”)
UK
France
USSR (1941)
USA(1941)
THE AXIS POWERS
(“Las potencias del Eje”)
Germany
Italy
Japan (1940)
VS

80. The “Pact of Steel” (May 1939)
Military alliance between Hitler & Mussolini.
Japan joined this alliance in 1940.

81. MAP PARTICIPANTS IN WW2
ALLIES VS AXIS POWERS

82. MAP PARTICIPANTS IN WW2
ALLIES VS AXIS POWERS

83. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Characteristics
WW2 is considered the most important & most destructive war in history.
WAROFENORMOUS
REACH

84. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
CharacteristicsLONG-LASTINGWAR
(6years)

85. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
CharacteristicsEXTREMEBRUTALITY

86. L O N G - T E R M
C A U S E S O F W W 2
The rise of
Totalitarian regimes
that promoted
militarism & ultra-
nationalism
Economic crisis
caused by the
Crash of 1929
(Great
Depression)
Treaty of Versailles,
that made
Germans feel
humiliated and
want a revenge
WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Causes

87. I M M E D I A T E C A U S E S &
T H E S P A R K O F W W 2
WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Causes
In the 1930’s, prior to WW2, the Axis powers undertook an aggressive
expansionist policy that set the path to WW2:
• Japan  invaded Manchuria (part of China)
• Italy  invaded Ethiopia & Albania
• Germany  annexed Austria & Czechoslovakia

88. JAPANESE TERRITORIAL EXPANSION
In 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria (part of
China). In 1937, they continued invading other
parts of China, and this led to the beginning of
the 2nd Sino-Japanese War (some historians
consider it the beginning of WW2)

89. ITALIAN TERRITORIAL EXPANSION
As part of Mussolini's plan to create an Italian Empire, he
invaded and occupied Ethiopia (1935) and Albania (1939)

90. Hitler ignored the Treaty of Versailles and undertook a militaristic & expansionist
policy:
• 1935-36: formation of an air force, start of compulsory military service &
remilitarization of the Rhineland (“Renania”). All these actions went against
the Treaty of Versailles.
• 1938: annexation of Austria
• 1938-39: annexation of Czechoslovakia
GERMAN
TERRITORIAL
EXPANSION

91. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Causes
At first, the Western democracies (UK, France, USA) did little to stop these
expansions in order to avoid conflicts. Instead, they chose to follow a
policy of appeasement.

92. Analyze this cartoon… what idea do you think that it
wanted to communicate?

93. Cartoons about the appeasement policy of Western Democracies.

94. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Causes
The failure of the appeasement policy was obvious and it came to its end
after Germany’s invasion of Poland (September 1st 1939), when finally UK &
France declared the war to Germany.

96. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Causes
The USSR initially remained neutral
since Hitler & Stalin signed the
“German-Soviet non-aggression
pact” (August 1939) in which they
agreed:
 No military action against each
other for 10 years
 Division of Eastern Europe
between them.

97. Activity 6
a) Define:
• Pact of Steel
• German-Soviet Nonagression Pact
b) Which two blocks confronted in WW2? Which were the main
countries in each of them?
c) Devise a diagram of the causes of WW2
d) What was the initial reaction of the Western Democracies
towards the axis powers’ expansionist actions? Was it
successful?
e) Which event is considered the spark of WW2?

98. 1939 – 41
Victories of
the Axis powers
1942 – 45
Victories of
the Allies
WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Stages & events

99. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
DURING THIS PERIOD THE AXIS
POWERS DOMINATED THE WAR.
• 1st September 1939: Germany
occupied Western Poland.
Soon after, the USSR occupied
Eastern Poland & the Baltic
republics (Estonia, Latvia &
Lithuania)
VICHY
FRANCE

100. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
• Due to Russia’s neutrality, Hitler
could focus on one single front.
By 1940 Germany had occupied
most Western Europe:
 Denmark
 Norway
 Low Countries
 Belgium
 Northern France  the south
resisted to the invasion
(“Vichy France”)
VICHY
FRANCE

101. OCCUPIED FRANCE (north)
&
VICHY FRANCE (south)
Despite Vichy France
was not occupied by the
Germans, it collaborated
with the Nazis.

102. BLITZKRIEG  literally means “lighting war”. Military tactic that
consisted in a quick & intense attack using tanks & planes
together.

103. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
• Germany also tried to defeat UK
by heavy air bombing (Battle of
Britain, 1940), but failed.
VICHY
FRANCE

104. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
• The Axis powers also invaded
the Balkans & Allies’ colonies in
the North of Africa.
VICHY
FRANCE

105. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
• In 1941 Hitler ignored his pact with Stalin &
invaded the USSR in need of energy resources
& food, so the USSR joined WW2 on the side of
the Allies. This was a turning point in WW2 &
probably Hitler’s greatest mistake as he
opened another front in Europe.

106. WW2: Stages & events
1939 – 41: Victories of the Axis powers
• In 1941 Japan, attacked the US naval base in
Pearl Harbour (Hawaii) in order to increase
their influence in the Pacific. This event made
the USA entered WW2 on the side of the Allies.
It was another decisive turning point in WW2.

107. WW2: Stages & events
1942 – 45: Victories of the Allies
DURING THIS PERIOD THE BALANCE OF POWER SHIFTED & THE ALLIES DOMINATED
THE WAR.
• 1942-43: the war evened out as the Axis powers were weakened.
 Germany suffered defeats
in North Africa & in Russia.
 Italy was invaded by the
Allies.
 Japan was halted by the
US in the Pacific.

108. Battle of El Alamein (Egypt) Battle of Stalingrad (Russia)
Germany suffered defeats in North Africa & in Russia.

109. Italy was
invaded
by the
Allies.

110. WW2: Stages & events
1942 – 45: Victories of the Allies
• 1944: the Allies carried out a double offensive that enabled them to gain
advantage:
 In the West  the Normandy
Landings enabled the Allies to
freed Paris from Nazi occupation
& to enter Germany through the
West.
 In the East  the Red Army
marched towards Germany
occupying several Eastern
countries.

111. Normandy Landings
(“El Desembarco de Normandía”)
Invasion of Normandy (northern France) by
the Allies that enabled them to freed Paris
from Nazi occupation & to enter Germany
through the West.

112. WW2: Stages & events
1942 – 45: Victories of the Allies
• 1945: WW2 reached its end:
 April: the USSR entered Berlin & Hitler
committed suicide. Mussolini was
captured & executed in Italy. WW2
had finished in Europe.
 August: Japan surrendered after two
atomic bombs were dropped by the
USA in Hiroshima & Nagasaki. WW2
had definitely finished.

113. ATOMIC BOMBS OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI (August 1945)
• They were dropped by the USA to achieve
a quick & cheaper victory over Japan.
• It is estimated that these bombs killed
about 240.000 people.

114. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Consequences
Consequences of WW2
Democracies were
established in
Germany & Italy.
A new international order was imposed:
- Europe lost its hegemony
- The USA & the USSR emerged as the
hegemonic powers.
Territorial changes: a
new map of Europe
was drawn.
- 50 – 60 million deaths
(mostly civilians)
- 70 million wounded
people
- 40 million refugees
displaced from their
homes
- Material devastation:
many cities, industries
& infrastructures were
destroyed.

115. Activity 7
a) Define:
• Blitzkrieg
• Vichy France
• Normandy landings
• Pearl Harbour
b) Devise a diagram of the stages of WW2
c) Which can be considered the two major turning points of
WW2?
d) What happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945?

116. Activity 8
a) When did the Yalta Conference took place? Who attended this
conference and organized the new world after WW2?
b) Was democracy established in all Europe after WW2?
c) What agreement did the Allies reached concerning Germany & Berlin?
d) What were the Nuremberg trials?
e) What happened to most countries in Eastern Europe after WW2?
f) What does U.N. stands for? When was it created & what was its main
aim?
g) What international conflict began after WW2? Who confronted in it?

117. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
The Allies held several conferences &
signed several treaties to establish a
new map of Europe & a new
international order after WW2.
The most important conferences were:
• YALTA CONFERENCE (Feb. 1945)
• POTSDAM CONFERENCE (Jul. 1945)

118. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
 February 1945
 Churchill (UK), Roosevelt (USA)
& Stalin (USSR)
YALTA CONFERENCE POTSDAM CONFERENCE
 July 1945
 Attlee (UK), Truman (USA) &
Stalin (USSR)

119. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
AGREEMENTS REACHED:
 To hold elections in the
countries freed from Nazi
occupation to establish
democratic governments
in them. However, Stalin
did not meet this
compromise.

120. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
 Division of Germany & Berlin
into 4 military zones
occupied by USSR, UK, US &
France.
AGREEMENTS REACHED:

121. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
 Nazi war criminals would be
punished. They were judged
at the Nuremberg trials
(1945-46; Germany)
AGREEMENTS REACHED:
 Germany had to be
demilitarized & had to pay
war reparations.

123. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
 New map of Europe:
• Germany  lost territories annexed
during the 3rd Reich.
• Poland  annexed former parts of
Germany
• USSR  annexed territories in the
Baltic region & occupied several
Eastern Countries on which
Communist regimes were imposed.
• Italy & Japan  were occupied by
Allies’ armies & lost their colonies.
AGREEMENTS REACHED:

124. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
 Creation of the United Nations (U.N.):
• International organization created
mainly to maintain world peace
through peaceful solutions to
conflicts & protect human rights
• Created in 1945 (San Francisco
Conference)
• Headquarters: New York (USA)
• Initially: 50 States
AGREEMENTS REACHED:
San Francisco Conference (1945)
Foundation of the UN

125. The Charter of the U.N.  signed on
June 26th 1945, in San Francisco.
UN Headquarters (NYC)

126. WW2 (1939 - 1945):
Peace after WW2
Despite their collaboration
during WW2, once the war
ended the US & the USSR
entered into a period of
competition and
confrontation known as the
Cold War (1945 – 1991).

128. http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/especial-segunda-guerra-mundial/segunda-guerra-
mundial-mundo-despues-yalta/571341/
VIDEO
«THE WORLD AFTER YALTA»