World War II

Not Again!!!! What could possibly lead the world into another global military action after what we went through in World War I?

Treaty of Versailles When the “Big Four” (Italy, France, Great Britain, & America) met at the Versailles Peace Conference following World War I. They signed the Treaty of Versailles and agreed to make Germany take sole responsibility for the war. This meant that Germany had to pay over $33 billion dollars in war reparations.

Treaty of Versailles The demand by the Treaty of Versailles was unrealistic for Germany. Furthermore, the depression of the 1920’s and 1930’s created high unemployment and inflation rates, which led to a German economic collapse. The conditions in Germany made it open to takeover by radical groups.

Treaty of Versailles The Versailles Treaty itself is very long and extensive document, made up of 440 Articles (plus Annexes) which have been divided into 15 parts. The first part of the Versailles Treaty established the League of Nations. The most controversial aspects of the Versailles Treaty were that: Germany was to take full responsibility for the damage caused during World War I (known as the "war guilt" clause, Article 231) major land concessions forced upon Germany (including the loss of all her colonies) limitation of the German army to 100,000 men, the extremely large sum in reparations Germany was to pay to the Allied Powers.

Rise of Hitler & Nazism The Nazi party began as the National Socialists German Workers Party. This radical group promised to rebuild political stability and the economy. Adolph Hitler, a party leader would eventually become the Nazi Party Chairman and the Chancellor of Germany.

Rise of Hitler & Nazism Hitler was a World War I veteran and after the war and the Treaty of Versailles he became active in trying to overthrow the Weimar Republic. The Weimar Republic was set up to govern Germany after World War I. In 1923 Hitler made an attempt to over throw the Weimar Republic. The “Beer Hall Putsch” failed and Hitler was jailed for nine months.

Rise of Hitler & Nazism While in prison Hitler wrote the book Mein Kamp, which was somewhat an autobiography and outlined Hitler's political ideas. Soon Hitler’s Nazi Party became the most powerful political party in the Reichstag, German parliament.

Rise of Hitler a Fascist Dictator Hitler would eventually become Chancellor of Germany, a position that gave him the power to shut down the Reichstag and become a dictator. Eventually Hitler took the title of Fuhrer(head of state). With his new title and power Hitler began to target Jews, Communists, socialists, and others for Germany’s problems. Hitler also began to demand other smaller countries to give over portions of their land to Germany.

Fascism in Italy Although Italy was on the winning side of World War I, many returning soldiers could not find jobs. Due to the worldwide depression the Italian money became worthless and prices for goods kept getting higher. As in Germany, Italy was also open for take over by radical groups.

Benito Mussolini a Fascist Dictator Benito Mussolini was a former soldier and the leader of the National Fascist Party. The National Fascist Party was made up of mostly former soldiers that gained the trust of many Italians that did not trust the government. The Fascists wanted total control of political, economic, religious, and cultural activities in Italy.

Fascism in Italy Mussolini’s followers were called “black shirts” and they attacked anyone that disagreed with Mussolini. Eventually, Mussolini would become a dictator and take the title “Il Duce” meaning “the leader”. Under Mussolini, Italian press, church, economy, and culture became regulated by the government.

Japan an Empire Japan was another nation that was on the winning side of World War I. After the war Japan continued their policy of militarization and expansion. Unlike Germany and Italy, Japan had no single person in charge. The Japanese Emperor was balanced with a prime minister and a legislature.

Hideki Tojo a Military Dictator However, Japan began to lean towards a military rule. Japan eventually would come under the rule of Hideki Tojo in a military dictatorship. Tojo was a former Japanese general and in 1940 was appointed as prime minister. Emperor Hirohito valued Tojo and his advice. At the urging of Tojo, Emperor Hirohito to approve an alliance with Germany and Italy.

Soviet Union - Communism In Russia, Joseph Stalin took over as the leader of the Soviet Union. It was a Communist country in both government and economy. Stalin becomes an absolute dictator who dealt with opponents by having them killed or sent to the “Gulag” or work camps located in isolated regions of the Soviet Union. Stalin took advantage of Russian peasants through his policy of Collectivization.

Soviet Communism under attack Collectivization was the total government control of all economic activity especially what was produced and how. Grain was taken from farmers for government use and the investment in heavy industry led to shortages for consumers. As a result of Collectivization millions died from starvation.

Soviet Communism under Totalitarian Dictatorship Stalin also held several political purges in the Soviet Union. In these purges he would remove all of his political opposition from the Communist Party. These purges allowed Stalin to strengthen his dictatorship.

Governments Axis Powers Germany – Adolf Hitler – Totalitarian Dictator Fascist Italy - Benito Mussolini – Totalitarian Dictator Fascist Japan –Hideki Tojo -Totalitarian Dictator - Militaristic Soviet Union – Joseph Stalin – Totalitarian Dictator - Communist

Vocab Time!!! Economies Capitalism – economic system in which private owners invest in production for profit. Socialism – economic principal that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. Communism – economic and political philosophy advocating collective ownership of property and the means of production. Government controls all business, as well as business decisions.

Vocab. Governments Democracy – political system in which people participate in free elections to choose their representatives in government. Fascism - political system that emphasizes intense nationalism and military expansionism. Everything for the state. Communism - A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power Totalitarianism – political system in which the state or government has total control over the lives of citizens. Dictatorship - a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a single ruler. Militarism - predominance of the armed forces in the administration or policy of the state

In the Beginning; enemies join Fascism Communism Adolf Hitler - Germany Benito Mussolini –Italy Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union Militarism Hideki Tojo- Japan - military dictatorship

AXIS POWERS GERMANY ITALY JAPAN SOVIET UNION (at beginning)

Allied Powers England- Great Britain France China Soviet Union (later) United States (later)

Comment Soviet Union or Russia, which is it? Until 1991, Russia was a part of what was the Soviet Union. Therefore, during World War 2 it was technically the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union broke up and many smaller nations were formed. Russia being the largest.

Common Factors Out of Germany, Italy, Japan, and Soviet Union come some common factors that contributed to World War II. Nationalism , militarism, and expansionism. They were also led by charismatic, overpowering tyrants and dictators.

Axis Aggression The Treaty of Versailles also opposed a German occupation of the Rhineland. The Rhineland was a territory that bordered France. The Rhineland was ordered to be de-militarized and acted as a bumper for France.

Rhineland

Axis Aggression One of the first aggressive acts on the part of Germany was the occupation of the Rhineland. In 1936 Hitler sent a small force to occupy the Rhineland. The French and British complained about this being a treaty violation but took no action.

Axis Aggression In 1938 Hitler put pressure on Austria to accept annexation by Germany. This would officially join the two countries. It became clear that Hitler would take Austria by force and that many Austrians supported annexation, so the Austrian government gave in.

Axis Aggression The taking of Austria and the Rhineland gave Hitler enough confidence to move to take more steps in creating his German empire. In Hitler’s sights was Czechoslovakia. It contained the Sudetenland. The Sudetenland was an area of Czechoslovakia that had a large population of people who spoke Germany and were eager to join Germany.

Sudentland

League of Nations Formed after WWI having been suggested in Wilson’s Fourteen Points It was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. After a number of notable successes and some early failures in the 1920s, the League ultimately proved incapable of preventing aggression by the Axis powers in the 1930s.  Germany withdrew from the League, as did Japan, Italy, Spain and others. The onset of World War II showed that the League had failed its primary purpose, which was to prevent any future world war.

League of Nations Formed after WWI having been suggested in Wilson’s Fourteen Points It was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. After a number of notable successes and some early failures in the 1920s, the League ultimately proved incapable of preventing aggression by the Axis powers in the 1930s.  Germany withdrew from the League, as did Japan, Italy, Spain and others. The onset of World War II showed that the League had failed its primary purpose, which was to prevent any future world war.