World War II, 1939–1945
Previewing Main Ideas
Germany, Italy, and Japan tried to build empires. They
began their expansion by conquering other nations and dominating them
politically and economically.
Geography What areas did the Axis powers control at the height of
their power?
Far-reaching developments in science and
technology changed the course of World War II. Improvements in aircraft,
tanks, and submarines and the development of radar and the atomic bomb
drastically altered the way wars were fought.
GeographyWhy might submarines have been a key weapon for the Axis
powers in their fight against Great Britain?
Fighting the Axis terror weakened the economies of Great
Britain, the Soviet Union, and other European countries. In contrast, when the
United States entered the war, its economy grew sharply. The strength of the
American economy bolstered the Allied war effort.
GeographyIn terms of location, why was the American economy able to
function at a high level while the European economies struggled?
ECONOMICS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
EMPIRE BUILDING
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