World War II Policy of Appeasement, the War, and the Aftermath

Failures of the League of Nations Many thought the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations would insure peace for generations Many thought the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations would insure peace for generations When Japan, Italy, and Germany acted in an aggression fashion, nothing was done to deter them When Japan, Italy, and Germany acted in an aggression fashion, nothing was done to deter them During this era, passivism and appeasement dominated During this era, passivism and appeasement dominated

Appeasement To yield or concede to the belligerent demands of a nation, group, person, etc., in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles. To yield or concede to the belligerent demands of a nation, group, person, etc., in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles. Why? Why? –Ghosts of World War I, policy of isolationism dominated, and many thought Versailles was too harsh. And finally, who would have thought?

Japan Japan attacked Manchuria 1931 and took it from China Japan attacked Manchuria 1931 and took it from China League of Nations did nothing, Japan then withdrew from the League of Nations League of Nations did nothing, Japan then withdrew from the League of Nations Continued to attack the Chinese and occupied ¼ of China by 1939 Continued to attack the Chinese and occupied ¼ of China by 1939 Set precedent for further aggression Set precedent for further aggression

Italy Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935 Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935 League of Nations did nothing League of Nations did nothing Britain and France could have responded with economic sanctions, but did not Britain and France could have responded with economic sanctions, but did not

Germany Germany- Hitler took full power in 1933 Germany- Hitler took full power in 1933 Ignored Treaty of Versailles Ignored Treaty of Versailles –Announced they would not obey the restrictions –Rebuilt army, air force and navy –Occupied the Rhineland League of Nations did nothing League of Nations did nothing

Spanish Civil War The Germans and Italians supported Francisco Franco and the Fascists The Germans and Italians supported Francisco Franco and the Fascists

Appeasement Hitler made a military alliance with Italy Hitler made a military alliance with Italy Axis Powers -Italy, Germany, and later Japan Axis Powers -Italy, Germany, and later Japan Hitler annexed Austria- this was forbidden by Versailles Hitler annexed Austria- this was forbidden by Versailles League of Nations did nothing League of Nations did nothing Then he demanded part of Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) Then he demanded part of Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland)

Appeasement Continued Munich Conference – gave Hitler what he wanted Munich Conference – gave Hitler what he wanted British PM Neville Chamberlain - “peace in our time” British PM Neville Chamberlain - “peace in our time” A few month later, March 1939, Germany invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia A few month later, March 1939, Germany invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia Appeasement ideology ended Appeasement ideology ended

Neville Chamberlain

WWII Soviets made a non-aggression pact with Germany, this surprised everyone Soviets made a non-aggression pact with Germany, this surprised everyone Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939) marked the start of World War II Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939) marked the start of World War II

Blitzkrieg Lightning War Lightning War Initially a “sitzkrieg,” but then … Initially a “sitzkrieg,” but then … Scandinavia, Netherlands, Belgium, and then into France (May 1940) Scandinavia, Netherlands, Belgium, and then into France (May 1940) Allied forces evacuated at Dunkirk Allied forces evacuated at Dunkirk Battle of Britain - fall of 1940 – attempted to break the morale of the people of Britain, however, the RAF fought them off Battle of Britain - fall of 1940 – attempted to break the morale of the people of Britain, however, the RAF fought them off

Early Stages Cont. US involvement was confined to the Lend- Lease (sending materials to Britain) and the Atlantic Charter (Churchill and Roosevelt) US involvement was confined to the Lend- Lease (sending materials to Britain) and the Atlantic Charter (Churchill and Roosevelt) Axis powers continued with conquests of North Africa and the Mediterranean region Axis powers continued with conquests of North Africa and the Mediterranean region

Operation Barbarossa The next bold German move was to attack the Soviet Union, June of 1941 The next bold German move was to attack the Soviet Union, June of 1941 It would proved to be their biggest mistake It would proved to be their biggest mistake Initially, it was very successful Initially, it was very successful Napoleon and Hitler comparisons Napoleon and Hitler comparisons The Soviet winter and the Soviet “will” to survive held off the Nazis The Soviet winter and the Soviet “will” to survive held off the Nazis

Pearl Harbor -Dec 7, 1941

United States Pearl Harbor broke US from isolation Pearl Harbor broke US from isolation Allied with Britain and Soviets Allied with Britain and Soviets It would take them several months to be fully prepared It would take them several months to be fully prepared They needed to fight a two-front war They needed to fight a two-front war They had the industrial power and soldiers to win They had the industrial power and soldiers to win

Europe/Africa Things looked bad in winter of 1941 as the Germans conquered nearly at will, however the tide would turn Things looked bad in winter of 1941 as the Germans conquered nearly at will, however the tide would turn Spring ’42 Allies win back a lot of North Africa Spring ’42 Allies win back a lot of North Africa May ’43 Axis surrender in North Africa May ’43 Axis surrender in North Africa Fall ’42 Stalingrad, Soviets hold out Fall ’42 Stalingrad, Soviets hold out July ’43 US invaded Italy July ’43 US invaded Italy June ’44 US marched on Rome June ’44 US marched on Rome

June D-Day

End of the European War Aug ’44 Paris liberated Aug ’44 Paris liberated Dec ’44 Battle of the Bulge, last German counter-offensive Dec ’44 Battle of the Bulge, last German counter-offensive Feb ’45 Bombing of Dresden Feb ’45 Bombing of Dresden April 30, 1945 Hitler committed suicide April 30, 1945 Hitler committed suicide May 7, Germans surrender, war over in Europe May 7, Germans surrender, war over in Europe

Pacific Theater Japan had tremendous success until March ’42 Japan had tremendous success until March ’42 April ’42 Battle of Coral Sea first major Japanese defeat April ’42 Battle of Coral Sea first major Japanese defeat US also began bombing Japanese cities US also began bombing Japanese cities June ’42 Battle of Midway June ’42 Battle of Midway Military strategy called “island hoping” Military strategy called “island hoping”

The End of the Pacific War Manila, Philippines Feb. ‘45 Manila, Philippines Feb. ‘45 March ’45 - Tokyo fire bombing March ’45 - Tokyo fire bombing FDR died April – Truman became chief FDR died April – Truman became chief April, the US finally reached Japan April, the US finally reached Japan August 6 & 9 – Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6 & 9 – Hiroshima and Nagasaki Aug 14 – Japan Surrendered Aug 14 – Japan Surrendered

The Big Three

Aftermath The powers of the world met several times to discuss the war and post-war plans The powers of the world met several times to discuss the war and post-war plans “The Big Three” – Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt “The Big Three” – Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt meet in Yalta, Feb ’45 (didn’t get along) Potsdam – July ’45 - Stalin, Atlee and Truman Potsdam – July ’45 - Stalin, Atlee and Truman How to clean up and how will the liberated countries regain its power? How to clean up and how will the liberated countries regain its power? Hostility and tension between the east (Russia) and the west developed immediately (this became the Cold War) Hostility and tension between the east (Russia) and the west developed immediately (this became the Cold War)

Results Death of millions Death of millions Holocaust (Jews, Gypsies and Slavs) Holocaust (Jews, Gypsies and Slavs) Destruction Destruction Homeless and displacement Homeless and displacement Disorder and chaos Disorder and chaos War crimes– Nuremberg Trials War crimes– Nuremberg Trials Nuclear Age and the Cold War Nuclear Age and the Cold War

They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.