Causes of World War II – Part 2

Expansionism The idea of expanding into new territory Italy – Wanted a new Roman Empire in the Mediterranean Germany – Wanted to regain the land lost in World War I and create a larger German state Japan – Wanted oil and other natural resources in the Pacific

Anti-Semitism Hatred of the Jewish People Hitler blamed the Jews for the problems Germany faced since World War I Blamed the loss of World War I, Conditions in the Treaty of Versailles, and the massive depression on the Jewish people Provided the Jewish people as a scapegoat for all the problems of the German world

Anti-Semitism As Hitler takes power in Germany, Jewish people began to be seen as “sub-human” Nazi thugs stop people from shopping in Jewish stores Jews are forced to wear a Star of David on their chests Nuremburg Laws – Jewish people lost their rights as German citizens and were forbidden from marrying non-Jews Violence began to openly occur

Treaty of Versailles War guilt was placed on Germany Not allowed to control naval ships, aircraft, poison gas, tanks, or any other heavy artillery Forced to pay large amounts of money to other countries Lands that spoke and felt culturally-connected to Germany were broken up

League of Nations Failure Started with the idea of disarmament Massive reduction in military services Lacked a military force Countries involved were more interested in helping themselves and not the collective good

Hitler’s Diplomatic Strategy England and France had a policy of appeasement Allowing things that to happen in order to avoid armed conflict Hitler made reasonable demands to other European nations Pulled out of the League of Nations Began to re-arm itself, even though Germany was not allowed Formed an alliance with Italy (Axis Alliance) Began taking back old territory Signed a peace agreement with the Soviet Union

Invasion of Poland Germany threatens Poland to join them as territory To deter Hitler, France and Britain announce that an invasion would mean all-out war Tried to convince the Soviet Union to join them and not Germany Joins Germany instead THIS OFFICIALLY BEGINS WORLD WAR 2!

Germany attempts to invade the USSR Germany backs out of it’s alliance and attacks the Soviet Union in hopes that a fast-paced assault would catch them off-guard

America at the Start of WWII During the first two years of the war the United States stayed officially neutral The fear of getting into another large-scale war made many Americans wish to just stay out of world affairs

America at the Start of WWII Despite strong isolationist sentiment at home, the United States increasingly helped Britain Gave war supplies and older naval warships in return for naval bases in the Bermuda and the Caribbean

America at the Start of WWII Lend-Lease Act President has the authority to sell or lend equipment to other countries to defend themselves against the Axis Powers This will incredibly anger Germany, who has an alliance with Japan “…lending a garden hose to a next-door neighbor whose house is on fire.” -FDR

America at the Start of WWII The United States refused to recognize Japanese conquests in Asia and imposed an embargo on exports of oil and steel to Japan. Tensions rose but both countries negotiated to avoid war

America at the Start of WWII Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Japan, without any warning, attacks Pearl Harbor in Hawaii Destroyed most of the Pacific fleet and killed several thousand Americans

Roosevelt’s Famous Speech The next day, Roosevelt asked Congress for a formal declaration of war “A day that will live in infamy…”

Germany’s Response Hitler honors a treaty that was signed with Japan and declares war on America The debates over isolationism in the United States were over. World War II was now a true world war and the United States was fully involved.