WWII in Europe and American Neutrality

Rise of Dictators Fascism Benito Mussolini- Italy 1922 Nazi Party and Rise of Hitler Militarism in Japan Fascism- intense nationalism, obedience to party leader, racism, protection of the common people, and worship of violent actions. Arose where people were used to strong leadership (monarchy) and now suddenly had a democracy after WWI. Citizens feared for their future and were willing to give up their new found freedom for what seemed like security Nazi- national socialist party. Believed germans were a superior race destined to rule over Europe, hated Jews- blamed them for Germany’s defeat during WWI. absolute obedience to party leader (Fuhrer). social Darwinists http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/nazi-party 1933- election Nazi party got more votes, Hitler appointed as chancellor, believed he could be controlled month later the building that housed the German legislature was burned down- some historians believed the Nazis themselves set it on fire, in this emergency the legislature granted hitler complete power – he never gave it up Japan also saw a change in politics from ultra nationalism- but they veared toward militarism instead of Fascism. The military generals began to make decisions without consent of the government- gov could do nothing to stop it.

Failure of the League of Nations Collective security Unable to stop aggressors Germany Japan Italy Collective security- peaceful nations could an together against aggressors- doesn’t work. League had no army, US not apart of it Soviet Union also never joined, and Japan and Germnay left in 1933 hitler began to reuild german military power in violation of treaty of Versailles. Also sent troops into the Rhineland (area of Germany nect to France) also prohibited by treaty. Britain France and US had no power to stop him. And the US even participated in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Japan invaded Manchuria (china) 1931. Italians invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Germans, Italians and Soviet Union all interfered in the Spanish Civil War

Failure of Appeasement Annexation of Austria (1938) Sudetenland Austria was primarily German speaking so Hitler annexed it, he also wanted the Sudetenland- a part of Czechoslovakia which had a large number of German speaking people. at first France and Great Britain promised to protect the Sudetenland, Mussolini invited Britain and French leaders to meet with hitler in Munich Germnay- became known as Munich Conference (sep 1938) seekeing to avoid war the british and French leaders handed over the sudetenalnd to Germany This was known as appeasement- giving in to demands hoping they would be happy and sop being an aggressor. only encouraged Hitler to make further deamnds- he knew GB and France would do almost anything to avoid another world war

Kristallnacht 1938- German Jew assassinated a German diplomat Night of Broken Glass Started the active persecution of the Jews Used this event as an excuse to attack jewish synagouges and stores throughout Germany US withdrew its ambassador from Berlin in protest of Kristallnacht

World War II Begins Czechoslovakia Nazi-Soviet Pact Blitzkrieg Invasion of Poland Blitzkrieg CZ- left weak and defenseless with loss of Sudetenland, Hitler persuaded the Slovaks in the east to declare their independence and then sent German troops to occupy or “protect the newly formed independent country. The rest of Czechoslovakia surrendered without resistance Began making claims on Poland as well- claimed the free city of Danzig- which had a large number of german speakers Thinking the british and French leaders would again use appeasement, but they now realized he would never stop, so they would not give up Poland, and pledged to protect it. Hitler responded by negotiating a treaty with the Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin- Nazi-Soviet Pact (aug 1939) agreed to divide Poland between themselves, so in Sep 1939 Germany Invaded Poland from the west and the soviets invaded from the east official start of WWII Blitzkrieg- new type of warfare- used the combination of planes, tanks, motarized troop carriers and radio communication (all new inventions) made rapid movement possible- lightening warfare

WWII Continues Fall of France Battle of Britain Dunkirk radar Fall of france- The germans avoided the Maginot Line (where they had originally invaded during WWI) by going through the Ardennes Forest suprising the French bc they thought tanks could not gat through the forest. Once through the forest they traveled across Belgium and into France. A large part of the French forces were cut off when the germens unexpectadly cut toward the coast. By June 1940, the French were forced to surrender. The British Forces that were sent to help the French now had to retreat all out of Dunkirk across the English channel- in order to get the men they had to send fishing boats passanger and every ship they could find Having control of most of western Europe, Hitler turns his eye to Great Britain. The English channel separate the british from the rest of Europe- so hitler must use hi Air Force- Luftwaffe. They would bomb London and other major cities to create a state of fear. The royal Air Force fighter planes were able to shoot down many of the attacking germans, the civilians either moved to the country or crowded into bomb shelters in the London subway. the new invention of radar allowed the british to detect when the planes were coming and sound the alarm to get to a safe place and send up their fighter pilots.