WWII

Overview Failure of the War to End All Wars Rise of Nationalism Worldwide Depression Totalitarian Dictatorships The policy of appeasement American Isolationism

Totalitarianism A political system in which a government exercises complete control over all aspects of its citizens’ lives. Fascism-system of government with a strong leader who puts the needs of the state above individuals Adolph Hitler-Germany Benito Mussolini-Italy Joseph Stalin-USSR Francisco Franco-Spain Hideki Tojo and Emperor Hirohito-Japan

Hitler and Nazi Germany Rise to power result of weakness of previous government (1933- became Chancellor) Charismatic speaker, preached German nationalism, denounced Versailles Treaty Blamed Jews, communists for Germany’s problems Promised return of German pride

Benito Mussolini in Italy Fascist leader who took control of Italy in 1922 Wanted to create another Roman Empire Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Along with Hitler supported Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War 1936

Joseph Stalin-USSR Transform and modernize rural USSR through industrialization, 5 year plans, collectivization Purged real and perceived threats to power

Japanese Expansion Sought total control of Pacific (resources) 1931- military occupation of Manchuria 1936- Japan signs Pact with Germany, Italy Nanking Massacre- December 1937

American Neutrality Domestic: U.S. in midst of Great Depression, public intent on remaining neutral 1935: First Neutrality Act (no sale of arms to belligerent nations) 1937: Arm sales only on “cash and carry” basis FDR warns of impending problems President Roosevelt

“War is a racket. It always has been “War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes”. -General Smedley D. Butler

http://www.history.com/speeches/speeches-cordell-hull-on-the-need-for-a-strong-national-defense#speeches-cordell-hull-on-the-need-for-a-strong-national-defense “We are in the presence not of local or regional wars, but of an organized and determined movement for steadily expanding, conquest. Against this drive for power no nation and no region is secure save as its inhabitants create for themselves means of defense so formidable that even the would-be conquerors will not dare to raise against them the hand of attack. The first need for all nations still masters of their own destiny is to create for themselves, as speedily and as completely as possible, impregnable means of defense. This is the staggering lesson of mankind's recent experience.” Cordell Hull

Isolationism in the United States Economic, military reasons for neutrality Tried to prevent mistakes that led to WWI involvement FDR’s Quarantine Speech: “Let no one imagine that we will escape…that this western hemisphere will not be attacked”—outraged many isolationists Hitler and Mussolini

Just Short of War By 1940, US supported Britain “with all aid short of war” Peacetime military draft, increase in defense spending Lend-Lease Act 1941-US ship arms and supplies to nations fighting the axis without immediate payment Atlantic Charter 1941- US and UK declare principles and goals in opposing Axis powers, US does not declare war