IWWG - The Impact of World War II on Georgia Module Overview

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The Impact of World War II on Georgia

Introduction

Because of increased political and economic pressures facing Europe following World War I , fascism was on the rise and quickly leading to World War II. The rise of fascist dictators in Germany and in Europe threatened peace in Europe and Asia. Political and economic instability was prevalent in Europe because of to worldwide depression, high war debt, inflation and unemployment. Dictators rose to take over unstable countries. Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany, Benito Mussolini in Italy, and Hideki Tojo in Japan. These three leaders orchestrated an alliance known as the Axis Powers and eventually began World War II when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Georgia contributed greatly to the war effort because of its its many military training facilities that enabled rapid readiness and training of troops to deploy to the European and Pacific Fronts. 

 

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

The Events Leading Up to WWII: The political instability and economic collapse in Europe caused by World War One was followed by the economic depression, high inflation, and unemployment. Three key dictators rose to power during these years and developed an alliance that became known as the Axis Powers: Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan). 

Military Bases and Production in Georgia: World War II led an economic boom in Georgia. As war production amped up, the state saw infrastructure growth in the military installations and new industries moving to the region. Georgians began to make more money than ever before and push the economy into modernization of industries. 

The Holocaust: The Holocaust describes the persecution and murder of six million Jews and other groups during the years the Nazi party controlled Germany, in the years 1933-1945.

President Roosevelt and His Ties to Georgia: President Roosevelt frequently visited the state of Georgia. President Roosevelt often visited Warm Springs, Georgia for polio therapy. He build a home nearby after his election to the presidency in 1932 and it became known as the “Little White House.”

 

Key Terms

  • Fascism - a political philosophy in which total power is given to a dictator and individual freedoms are denied.
  • Anti-Semitism - Prejudice or cruel treatment against Jews.
  • Aryan Supremacy - belief that Germans represent the superior human race
  • Lend-Lease System - Under this system the U.S. loaned and leased war supplies to her allies, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. This system was quickly dragging the U.S. into the war.
  • Holocaust - The name given to the systematic extermination of 6 million Jews during World War II by the Germans.
  • Propaganda - Information that is biased or misleading used to promote a particular cause.

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