Lesson 12 WW II – Paths to Global War

Lesson Objectives Be able to recount the chains of events in the 1930's that led to the opening of hostilities in Europe and Asia. Understand the genesis and significant features of the strategies of each major combatant: Germany and Japan Britain, France, Soviet Union, U.S. Be able to recount and discuss the major events in World War II through the end of Understand the role of the advances in military technology since the end of The Great War on the events of the first two years of World War II.

The Path to Global War History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Attributed to Samuel Clements ( ) A Note the repetitive patterns in this lesson:  “strife”  “… and the Western allies [or League] did nothing … “ (Remember this?)

Events September 8, 1926 Germany joins League of Nations August 27, 1928 Germany signs Kellogg-Briand Pact

Events September 8, 1926 Germany joins League of Nations August 27, 1928 Germany signs Kellogg-Briand Pact  Signatories promise not to use war to resolve disputes (Treaty still in force!)

Events September 8, 1926 Germany joins League of Nations August 27, 1928 Germany signs Kellogg-Briand Pact Hitler becomes chancellor January 30, 1933 October 19, 1933 Germany withdraws from League January 26, 1934 Germany signs 10 yr non-aggression pact with Poland August 2, 1934 President Hindenburg dies; Hitler declares himself Führer

Events March 16, 1935 Germany announces conscription, formation of new army units, navy ships and an air force German rearmament now out in the open!

Hitler Assumes Power "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch (4:09 -9:26)

Rearmament Propaganda Caption: "With an insufficient military, Germany can be blockaded both by land and sea." Source Hans Riegler, Heer, Flotte und Luftwaffe. Wehrpolitisches Taschenbuch * (Berlin: Verlag für vaterländische Literatur, 1935) * Army, Navy and Air Force. Military Political Paperback

Rearmament Propaganda Caption: "Germany's industrial areas, unlike those of France, are defenseless in defortified or even demilitarized border zones." Source Hans Riegler, Heer, Flotte und Luftwaffe. Wehrpolitisches Taschenbuch * (Berlin: Verlag für vaterländische Literatur, 1935) * Army, Navy and Air Force. Military Political Paperback Hauptindustriegebiete = main industrial areas

Events March 16, 1935 Germany announces conscription, formation of new army units, navy ships and an air force Germany occupies Rhineland, successfully challenging France March 7, 1936 Italy invades Ethiopia; League of Nations imposes economic sanctions October 3, 1935

Rhineland Re-occupied by Germany – March 7, 1936

Events October 25, 1936 Germany & Italy form Berlin-Rome Axis November 1936 Germany & Japan sign Anti-Comintern Pact  Attempt by Germany & Japan to isolate Soviet Union

Events October 25, 1936 Germany & Italy form Berlin-Rome Axis November 1936 Germany & Japan sign Anti-Comintern Pact Hitler renounces Versailles TreatyJanuary 17, 1937 July 7, 1937 Sino-Japanese War begins Hitler discusses secret plan for Lebensraum (“living space”) November 5, 1937 March 12, 1938Germany annexes Austria (Anschluss)

Events May 20, 1938 Czechoslovakia mobilizes over German pressure against Sudetenland

Events September 29, 1938 Munich Conference Peace In Our Time Chamberlain, Léger, Hitler, Mussolini Britain France Germany Italy

Events September 30, 1938 Chamberlain: “Peace for our time” Peace For Our Time "My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honor. I believe it is peace for our time... Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."

Hitler Emboldened "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 9:27 – 10:35 )

Man of the Year January 2, 1939 Baron Rudolph Charles von Ripper Click for source

Events October 1, 1938 Germany acquires Sedetenland March 10, 1939 Germany occupies Czechoslovakia

Hitler: Opportunist or Strategist? Why did Hitler invade Czechoslovakia?

Remember This?

Hitler: Eye on Russia

Hitler: Opportunist or Strategist? Why did Hitler invade Czechoslovakia? ⌃ else LA Times, March 18, 1938

Hitler: Opportunist or Strategist? Why did Hitler invade Czechoslovakia? ⌃ else Skoda Works -Pilsen, Czechoslovakia c 1938 Skoda T-21 Tank

War in Europe Erupts "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch (40: :45)

Hitler’s Pre-War Expansion Germany occupies Rhineland, successfully challenging France March 7, 1936 Summary March 12, 1938Germany annexes Austria (Anschluss) Sept 29, 1938 Munich Conference Chamberlain: “Peace for our time” Sept 30, 1938 October 1, 1938 Germany acquires Sedetenland March 10, 1939 Germany occupies Czechoslovakia

Events August 23, 1939 Hitler negotiates non-aggression pact with Soviet Union (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) Holocaust Encyclopedia Germany invades Poland September 1, 1939

.. and the 20 year armistice was ended

Events September 27, 1940 Axis Tripartite Pact

Previously…. In the Western Pacific Japan had been at war in China since 1931

Japanese Expansion Empire of Japan Conquest of Korea 1910

Second Sino-Japanese War Japan had been at war with China since Conquest of Manchuria September 1931

Second Sino-Japanese War Japan had been t war with China since Japanese Conquest

Nanking Massacre December 1937 “The Rape of Nanking” Over 300,000 people butchered

Red Sun Rising "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch (10:47-20:37)

Yangtze River Patrol Background US Navy had a presence on Yangtze River Fallout from the “Unequal Treaties” negotiated by Western powers after the Opium Wars ( & ) Yangtze Patrol began 1922 as part of US Asiatic Squadron Protected US interests (shipping) along the river

Attack on USS Panay December 12, 1937 USS Panay sinking - 12 Dec 1937

Attack on USS Panay December 12, 1937 Attack on Ship Preliminary Events Sinking of Ship 2:15

Thesis The grand scope of World War II was determined by a battle you never heard of fought before the war in Europe began.

Japan’s Next Step After China Two factions in Japanese government “Northern” Faction (Northern Strike Group) Led by Army Favored move north into USSR “Southern” Faction (Southern Strike Group) Led by Navy Favored move south into Dutch East Indies

Events July-August 1939 Battle of Khalkin Gol (Nomonhan) The most significant battle you’ve never heard of! A

Events July-August 1939 Battle of Khalkin Gol (Nomonhan) Japan abandoned northern strategy Reader’s Companion to Military History: Khalkin Gol Soviet victory Significance: Turned south Set up confrontation with US USSR able to divert resources toward the west and Germany Established Gen. Georgi Zhukov as armor commander

Japan’s Path to War Increase in Militarism in Japanese society

Japan’s Path to War Increase in Militarism in Japanese society US moves Pacific Fleet to Hawaii (May 1940) US embargos iron & steel exports to Japan (Sep 1940) Vichy government accedes to Japanese request for bases in southern Indochina (July 1941) Great East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere declared (Aug 1940) Move into northern French Indochina (Sep 1940) Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis formed (Tripartite Pact, Sep 1940)

Japan’s Oil Lifeline Cam Ranh Bay (major anchorage) Japan Occupies Southern Indochina

Japan’s Path to War Increase in Militarism in Japanese society US moves Pacific Fleet to Hawaii (May 1940) US embargos iron & steel exports to Japan (Sep 1940) Vichy government accedes to Japanese request for bases in southern Indochina (July 1941) US embargos shipments of oil to Japan (Jul 1941) Great East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere declared (Aug 1940) Move into northern French Indochina (Sep 1940) Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis formed (Tripartite Pact, Sep 1940)

Events December 7, 1941 US Pacific Fleet attacked at Pearl Harbor

Japanese Decision to War Calculated risk? Risky calculation? or

Instruments of National Power Diplomacy Information Military Economic Power Resolve What did the Japanese miss?

Instruments of National Power Allied and Axis GDP Economic Power

Wikipedia

Instruments of National Power Diplomacy Information Military Economic Power Resolve What else did the Japanese miss?

Instruments of National Power Diplomacy Information Military Economic Power Resolve What else did the Japanese miss? Resolve

Japanese Decision to War "One can search military history in vain for an operation more fatal to the aggressor." Samuel Eliot Morison, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Vol. III, The Rising Sun in the Pacific To be continued …

The Path to Global War History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Attributed to Samuel Clements ( ) Note the repetitive patterns in this lesson:  “strife”  “… and the Western allies [or League] did nothing … “ (Remember this?) What patterns do we see here?

The Gathering Storm "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch Much of the video in this lecture is from Episode 1: The Gathering Storm

Lesson 13 WW II – 1940: Fall of France & Battle of Britain

Lesson Objectives Describe the sequence and implications of events from the invasion of Poland to the fall of France. Be able to describe and analyze the German strategy in the Battle of Britain. Describe the impact of new technology on the Battle of Britain. Begin to understand the implications of strategic air warfare in World War II.

End

Video Title "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch