The Build-up to World War II

The 1920s The decline of democracy: Italy under Mussolini (fascism) Russia under Stalin (totalitarian communism) Germany: The Weimar Republic - hyper inflation in 1923 undermines the Gov’t Stalin 

Hitler and the Nazis The Beer Hall Putsch: Nov. 9, 1923 A Nazi military coup is crushed Hitler spends 9 months in prison, writes Mein Kampf Political organizing 1929: 12 of 550 seats in the Reichstag 1930: 107 seats 1932: 230 seats (the largest party) 1933: Jan. 30: Hitler becomes chancellor and seizes control of Germany through the Enabling Act

One of Hitler's Speeches The subtitles are fuzzy, and the translations bad at times, but focus more on how he is saying what he is saying. Listen to the passion and power with which he says it all. An Election Speech

Adolf Hitler Born April 20, 1889 (Charlie Chaplin was born April 16, 1889) His step-father was violent and abusive High school drop-out at age 16 Aimless and directionless youth (tried art, but failed) WWI: fought at Ypres and Passchendale Awarded Iron Cross (1st and 2nd Class) for bravery

German Military Expansionism Germany: 1933: walks out of disarmament talks 1934: Germany and Poland sign a non-aggression pact 1935: repudiates the Treaty of Versailles 1936: re-occupies the Rhineland 1930s: Germany rebuilds its’ military and begins domestic projects for employment opportunities. By 1938 > 50% of budget is spent on the military

In Germany . . . The Nazis: Outlaw other political parties Create concentration camps Strip Jewish people of their rights Total state control of society (Hitler Youth, propaganda) Under Gov’t control the economy improves Unemployment: 1932 at 6 million, 1938 at 164,000

Nazi Anti-Semitism Nazi Decrees denied Jewish people the right to: Hold public office Be employed in the media Work in farming or high schools Citizenship To marry those of “German blood” Hitler, filled with passion while speaking publicly.

The Nuremburg Laws Part of a campaign of terror Passed to strip the Jewish people of their civil, political and human rights Encouraged public attacks on Jewish people 1938: Nov. 9: Kristalnacht: The Nazis attack synagogues and Jewish people (the night of broken glass)

Fascism Elsewhere 1936: Under Mussolini Italy conquers Ethiopia (a member of the League of Nations) 1936 – 39: The Spanish Civil War Fascist Italy and Germany aid the Spanish Fascists to defeat the existing Left wing government. The World Powers do not intervene

Asia: Japan’s Quest for Empire 1931: Japan defeats Chinese forces and captures Manchuria (for resources) 1937: Japan attacks China near Peking (The start of WWII in Asia) The World Powers choose not to intervene

German Conquests pre WWII March 1938 : Germany forces the annexation of Austria (Anchluss) Sept. 1938: The Allies appease Czechoslovakia to Germany Aug. 1939 : The Nazi-Soviet Non- aggression Pact signed between Hitler and Stalin

Fascism Ideas: 1. The State is absolute and supreme: the individual is completely subordinate to the state 2. A destiny to dominate other nations/peoples 3. The cult of the leader (“Only what Adolf Hitler, our Fuhrer commands allows, or does not allow, is our conscience.”) 4. Glorification of War: as a test of strength as proof of destiny

Nazism Fascism + Racial hatred and belief in racial superiority

Buildup To War Timeline First: Read pages 92-96 in Counterpoints. Second: Take out a fresh sheet of lined paper and draw a timeline. Third: Fill in the timeline with all of the events in which an act of aggression was committed by either Germany, Italy or Japan. When information is provided please include a one sentence summary for the event. Fourth: If you finish early can you please work on question 5 on page 98. They are not for homework but will help reinforce today’s material in preparation for the eventual WWII test.

That’s It !!!