Introduction to WWII Steps to War

Why? (underlying causes of WWII) 1. Treaty of Versailles A. Germany lost land to surrounding nations B. War Reparations --Germany must pay millions --Bankrupted the German economy & embarrassed Germans c. War Guilt Clause Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Woodrow Wilson during negotiations for the Treaty

Why? (underlying causes of WWII) 2. World-wide Depression A. The Depression made Germany’s debt even worse B. Desperate people turn to desperate leaders Hitler seemed to provide solutions to Germany’s problems by providing scapegoats- a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place for Germany’s problems (foreigners, Jews, communists, Roma (Gypsies), mentally ill, homosexuals) 1923 - Wallpapering with German Deutchmarks

People are forced to do what the government tells them Totalitarianism People are forced to do what the government tells them prevent from leaving the country Seeks to control not only all economic and political matters but the attitudes, values and beliefs of its population. This is a country with only one political party. ex. Soviet Union under Stalin, Nazi Germany and the People's Republic of China. Regime A system or rule of government Dictator: a ruler who assumes full and absolute power What is a monarchy? Ruling by king or queen

Why? Fascist Dictatorship (Germany, Italy) Totalitarianism Rise of Totalitarian Regimes --by mid 1930’s dictators had seized control in many countries. A. In a Totalitarian country, individual rights are not viewed as important as the needs of the nation. Government has control. Usually only 1 political party (Nazi’s, Fascist, etc) Fascist Dictatorship (Germany, Italy) Mussolini- Italy Hitler-Germany Communist Dictatorship (USSR) Stalin- USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Fascism: military government based on nationalism with strong support from the business community Totalitarianism Military Dictatorship (Japan) Hideki Tojo-Prime Minster Emperor Hirohito

and hope that they wont want anything else Why? 4. Isolationism:A national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries. U.S. supported Isolationism: Great Depression (problems at home): WWI did not seem to solve much B. This led to policies of “Appeasement” Appeasement: give dictators what they want and hope that they wont want anything else

Imperialism – a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force Italy, Germany and Japan sought new territory Germany wants Return of German Speaking Lands - “Lebensraum” 2. Japan wants to expand Japan invades Manchuria – china 1933 German Troops Parade in Streets of Czechoslovakian Town, ca. 1939

Axis Allies (major powers) (major powers) Great Britain Germany 1936-Hitler and Mussolini make pact Rome-Berlin Axis. Japan joins in 1940. Known as Axis Powers Allies Axis (major powers) (major powers) Great Britain Germany U.S.S.R. Italy United States Japan France (note: France surrendered to Germany in 1940 (after 6 weeks of fighting)

By the mid 1930’s dictators had seized control in several countries Soviet Union- Stalin Italy- Mussolini Germany- Hitler Japan- Emperor Hirohito Prime Minister (in charge of war) Hideki Tojo

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Major Leaders Franklin Delano Roosevelt US President Joseph Stalin U.S.S.R Leader Adolf Hitler Nazi Germany Benito Mussolini Italy Hideki Tojo Japanese Prime Minister Winston Churchill British Prime Minister

So What Was Hitler Asking For? Beginnings of Third Reich 1936- Germany occupies Rhineland in defiance of Treaty of Versailles Wants Return of German Speaking Lands“Lebensraum” “living Space”. 1938 Germany annexes Austria. Demands Sudentenland - (from Czechoslovakia who decline) Munich Conference - Great Britain & France give to Hitler in return for peace. What is this called? 1939: Hitler then invades the rest of Czechoslovakia German Troops Parade in Streets of Czechoslovakian Town, ca. 1939

Third Reich continues Nonaggression Pact (Hitler-Stalin Pact or Nazi-Soviet) Agree not to attack each other, USSR will NOT help Poland, in return for 1/2 of Poland Hitler invades Poland Hitler's triumphal entry into Danzig, Poland 1939 To the chancellor of the German Reich, Herr A. Hitler. I thank you for your letter. I hope that the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact will mark a decisive turn for the better in the political relations between our two countries. . J. Stalin* Great Britain & France finally declare war on Germany WAR BEGINS Sept 1 1939

Germany attacks 1941-Germany invades USSR Blitzkrieg “Lightning War”- method of warfare uses speed, surprise,tanks,troops,planes In the next year, Hitler invades: Denmark Norway The Netherlands Belgium France Hitler in Paris 1941-Germany invades USSR

Roosevelt provided aid to the Allies: US Assistance Lend-Lease Act 1939 US “lent” war materials to cash-strapped Great Britain Atlantic Charter Policy statement Aug. 1941 -goals and aims of the Allied powers concerning the war and the post-war world. US secretly meets with England to commit to defeating Germany London Firefighter Tackles an Air Raid Blaze

Meanwhile … in the Pacific Pearl Harbor: “a date which will live in infamy” What? Surprise attack by the Japanese on American forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Effect? US declares war on Japan & other Axis powers USS Arizona Sinking in Pearl Harbor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE

Japanese Internment Camps Occurred as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor Why? Fair? Why/why not? Executive order 9066

B. Human Costs

21.3 million Russians (7.7 million civilians) A. War Costs US Debt 1940 - $9 billion US Debt 1945 - $98 billion The war cost $330 billion -- 10 times the cost of WWI & as much as all previous federal spending since 1776 B. Human Costs 50 million people died (compared to 15 million in WWI) 21.3 million Russians (7.7 million civilians) 11 million died as a result of the HOLOCAUST (6 million Jews + 5 million others)