Unit 6 Pre-World War II 1918-1939

I. The Failure of the Treaty of Versailles The Treaty which officially ended “The War to End All Wars” failed to prevent future wars in Europe. Because… A. Germany was forced to take on sole blame for the war, as well as pay huge war reparations, and was forced to significantly reduce their military strength. 1. These harsh conditions left Germany humiliated, angry, resentful, and broke.

I. Failure of the Treaty of Versailles Cont. B. The Nazis would attempt to restore Germany as a world power and would seek revenge in the process. C. Many new nations tried their hand at Democracy. However, poor economic conditions caused them to fail and Dictators took over.

I. Failure of the Treaty of Versailles Cont. D. Why ? Because the Treaty did nothing to help the European economy, and the League of Nations failed due to the absence of the U.S. E. The U.S. was prevented from joining because they did not ratify the treaty.

II. Communist Soviet Union A. Communism: An economic and political system based on a one-party system where the government owns all the means of production. 1918 - The Communists party headed by revolutionary Vladimir Lenin wins the Russian Revolution. C. Lenin becomes the first head of the new Communist State known as the Soviet Union.

II. Communist Soviet Union Cont. D. January 21, 1924: Lenin dies of a stroke at the age of 53 – Joseph Stalin takes over May 2005 January 1924

II. Communist Soviet Union E. Stalin’s Goal: Make the Soviet Union the Model of Communism to the World. F. Stalin maintained control by getting rid of anyone who disagreed with him. – 13 to 20 million Russians died under his control. Stalin’s logic

III. Fascists Italy 1922: Fascists party takes over control of Italy with Benito Mussolini serving as Prime Minister. Fascism: A repressive strong central government headed by a powerful dictator – value Nationalism, Militarism, Anti-liberalism, and Anti-Communism. Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini

III. Fascists Italy C. His Goal: Turn Italy into a world power and restore the glory of the old Roman Empire. D. 1935: Germany helps Italy win a war against Ethiopia. E. 1939: Italy and Germany form the “Pact of Steel” alliance which binds them together for future wars.

IV. Japan Nationalistic Military takes over the government with the goal of dominating the Pacific. 1931: Japan invades Manchuria in Northern China looking for Land and Resources C. 1937: Japan invades all of China killing millions of civilians with their Three Alls Policy - Kill All, Burn All, Loot All.

The Burn to Ash Strategy Bayonet drills with live Chinese prisoners “Ten Thousand Corpse Ditch”

IV. Japan Cont.

V. Nazi Germany (Fascism) A. Nazism: A unique brand of Fascism based on a loose collection of ideas and positions such as: extreme nationalism, racism, totalitarianism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Communism.

V. Nazi Germany A. Adolf Hitler takes over control of Germany in 1933 with the intent of restoring the glory of the German Empire. B. Hitler’s goal: To establish his kingdom, The Third Reich, for a 1000 Years.

Nazi Germany Timeline 1932 Nazi Party comes to power with help from the Great Depression 1933 Adolf Hitler appointed Chancellor Germany leaves the League of Nations 1936 Germany takes the Rhineland 1938 Germany takes Austria, the Sudetenland, and part of Czechoslovakia 1939 Germany takes the rest of Czechoslovakia and invades Poland

Territorial Acquisition Nazi Germany Territorial Acquisition *Play Li’l Hitler Video

VI. A Call for Appeasement Appeasement – to concede to an aggressor's demands usually at the expense of justice. B. Both Britain and France are desperate to avoid war or an alliance with the Soviet Union. C. 1938: The Munich Agreement - Britain, France, Italy, and Germany sign the Munich Agreement giving Hitler the Sudetenland. The Munich Agreement

“I have no more territorial ambitions in Europe” “I have no more territorial ambitions in Europe” Adolph Hitler, September 1938 C. Hitler now says he has enough “Living Space”. German word for living space is? Lebensraum Did anyone believe him? "Hitler says that he has no more territorial ambitions in Europe. Do you believe him?" (Public opinion poll. Britain, October 1938) Yes: 7% No: 93%

VI. Britain & France Respond Cont. D. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was one of those who believed Hitler. “I believe it is peace in our time.” Neville Chamberlain, September 30, 1938

VII. The United State’s Stance Following World War I the U.S. decided it would have no alliances with other nations and have no involvement in a war that was not an act of direct territorial self-defense. Q. This policy is known as? A. Isolationism B. Besides the U.S. government was more concerned about what Japan was doing in the Pacific than what Germany was doing in Europe, and most Americans agreed.