World War II Thursday, November 29, 2018

1930’s – cause of WWII was military aggression by Germany, Italy, and Japan Hitler wanted to wipe out ‘cancer of democracy’ All 3 wanted to establish empires and little was done to stop them – concerned with depression Italy upset they didn’t get more land after WWI Germany upset of Treaty of Versailles

1935 – Italy’s Mussolini attacked Ethiopia (Africa) League of Nations had no army to stop them League also failed to prevent Hitler from building up his military and occupying the Rhineland 1936 – Axis Alliance formed between Germany, Italy and eventually Japan During this time, U.S. choose a policy of isolationism Neutrality Acts – prohibits loaning weapons to countries at war

Policy of Appeasement Munich Conference – 1938 Great Britain and France tried to avoid war with Germany by allowing them to stay in the Rhineland 1938 – Hitler annexed Austria – to unite German people Hitler than demanded Sudetenland (NW Czechoslovakia) and threatened world war to get it Munich Conference – 1938 Britain and France allowed Hitler the Sudetenland if he promised to stop demanding more property 1939 – He broke promise and invaded Czechoslovakia

September 1, 1939 WWII begins when Hitler invades Poland Blitzkrieg – ‘lightening war’ – columns of tanks and soldiers supported by airplanes

US Involvement FDR soon realized the need for involvement to stop Nazi’s from taking over Europe 1939 – Congress changed isolationist policy to allow US to sell weapons to Allies Cash and carry policy 1941 – Lend-Lease Act – lend or lease weapons to countries that were important to US interests.

Over in Japan… Newly industrialized Japan needed raw materials & fuel Military leaders pushed for expansionism for markets and resources 1931 – Japan invaded Manchuria League of Nations was upset, so Japan withdrew 1937 – Japan attacked China Communist and non-communist forces united to fight