Spanish civil war

Setting the stage Aggressive rulers throughout Europe Hitler - Germany Mussolini – Italy Popularity of military conquests Democratic nations want to continue peace like times Many countries relied on the League of Nations

Civil war erupts in Spain Monarchy until 1931 Government run by liberals and socialists In July 1936, army leaders stage a coup Favored fascists governments Francisco Franco Joined the army to start a civil war

Civil war erupts in Spain Other countries send support to Franco Supports of fascist governments Rebels now have a full army Within three years they have taken the capital Leads to mass violence and killings in Spanish countryside

Nationalists take over Hitler and Mussolini send troops, tanks and airplanes Rebels now called the Nationalists The opponents received very little support Known as republicans Western democracies remained neutral Soviet Union only country to help By 1939 the Republicans collapse Franco becomes Spain’s fascist dictator Assumes total power Executes over 100,000 rivals Is friendly with Hitler and Mussolini

Spain under Franco Consolidates political parties into one Assumes authoritarian role – not true fascism – more of a “monarchy” Does not enter WWII Spain remains mediocre Looks better than it really is Dies in 1973 Spain returns to the crown and royal families

Guernica – April 1937

Guernica

WWII: THE Beginning

Hitler rises to power Looked up to Mussolini Volunteer for the German Army Twice awarded for bravery Wanted to overturn the Treaty of Versailles Formed the National Socialist German Workers’ Party Nazi for short Nazism, swastika His success led him to be chosen as der Fuhrer of the Nazi Party Arrested for treason – spent 9 months in prison (Mein Kampf) Germany’s economy collapses and many turn to Hitler for leadership

Hitler becomes Chancellor Nazi’s become the largest political party by 1932 President Hindenberg named Hitler Chancellor (prime minister) Believed they could control him and use him Once in office: Called for new elections Reichstag building burnt down, blamed communists Turn Germany into totalitarian state SS (Schutzstaffel) Control of the economy (authority of business and labor) Fuhrer is supreme Propaganda, Hitler Youth, burned books Starts to make war on the Jews

Hitler violates Versailles treaty In 1935, Hitler announces they will no longer obey the treaty League of nations only issues minor condemnations Hitler was only more convinced to continue with his plans Forbidden to enter the Rhineland 30 mile wide zone Buffer between Germany and France Industrial zone 1936, German troops moved into the area France was unwilling to risk war Britain urged appeasement Giving into an aggressor to keep peace BAD IDEA!

Hitler violates Versailles treaty Hitler claims he would have backed down if challenged Turning point towards war Strengthened Hitler’s power and prestige Balance of power changed in his favor Felt it was necessary to speed up his expansion Convinced Mussolini they should ally together Rome-Berlin Axis Fight communism Axis Powers Germany, Italy and Japan

The third Reich 1937, Hitler announces plans to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia “Living Space” 1938, Hitler annexed Austria Anschluss France and Britain did nothing to help Austrian independence

Sudetenland Hitler then turned to the western border of Czechoslovakia Heavily fortified area only defense against the Germans The Czechs refused to give into Hitler's power asked France for help France will again, pick appeasement

Munich conference Meeting between: Germany, France, Britain and Italy Conference held in September of 1938 Chamberlain (Britain) believed he could preserve peace by giving into Hitler’s demands

Britain and France agreed to let Hitler have the Sudetenland Munich Conference Britain and France agreed to let Hitler have the Sudetenland Hitler pledged to respect Czechoslovakia’s new borders 6 months later…Hitler violates the borders Hitler realized he could take any country he wanted France and Britain were not going to risk war

Hitler and Stalin sign non-aggression pact Britain and France wanted the Soviet Union to help them stop Hitler Stalin was playing both sides Stalin upset he was not invited to the Munich Pact Fascist Germany and Communist Russia come to an agreement August 1939 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Secretly agreed to not fight if one went to war Equally divide Poland

Surprise attack happens on September 1, 1939 Invasion of Poland After a union with Stalin, Hitler moves ahead with plans to take Poland Surprise attack happens on September 1, 1939 France and Great Britain declare war on Germany However, Hitler was able to take Poland before any opposing military response

Invasion of Poland Germany used a new military technique known as blitzkrieg “lightning war” Fast-moving airplanes and tanks, followed by massive infantry forces Stalin makes his move Occupies eastern half of Poland Annex Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia Eventually took Finland

The war begins

Battle of the Battles

Brainstorm… Teaching Methods

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