An avoidable war, that wasn’t avoided World War II An avoidable war, that wasn’t avoided

Fascism

Characteristics of European Fascism: The Rise of Fascism Characteristics of European Fascism: Nationalism: high value on nation Unity of All Social Classes: single nation political party, opposed worker unions and strikes All Powerful Leaders: strong leader best to represent the people Extreme Militarism: used violence to defeat political opponents and prepared to use war to expand country What are the positive and negative aspects of Fascism?

The Roots of Fascism Anti-Semitism: Hatred of Jewish people. Jews were blamed for the problems in many countries. Racism: Contempt for other races, strengthened by imperialism and spirit of nationalism. Social Darwinism: Belief that all human groups compete for survival and that the stronger group has the right to succeed the weaker group. Jews were forced to wear identification in Nazi Germany

The Old Order Collapses Germany The republic was opposed by land owners, industrialists, military leaders, and professionals. Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced from power after WWI and a democratic republic took over (Weimar Republic). What affect did the Russian Revolution have on Germany after WWI? They wanted a single leader because they feared the people might become socialist and what happened in Russia might happen in Germany. They also blamed the republic for accepting the Treaty of Versailles

The Old Order Collapses U.S.S.R Lenin established a totalitarian state in Russia After his death, Joseph Stalin took over and began to eliminate all of his rivals. Because of events in Russia, many European countries supported extreme anti-Communist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. He even starved the Ukraine into submission in 1928. Opponents were sent to icy gulags (forced labor camp) in Siberia

The Old Order Collapses Italy Communism frightened Italian industrialists, landlords, and other property owners. Communism became popular in Italy after WWI. Mussolini had a party newspaper, party organization, and his own private army. Once in power he passed laws controlling the press, abolished unions, used violence against his opponents, murdered opposition leaders, and established a totalitarian state. The country had also experienced workers strikes and riots. Many citizens were tired of these and wanted a strong leader. Fascists in Italy used the fear of revolution and desire for national glory to get Benito Mussolini into power. Mussolini, a former socialist, used many Bolshevik practices while denouncing their ideas.

Rise of the Nazi (National Socialist) Party Nazis Come to Power They created their own army (Brown Shirts) They beat up political opponents and Jews. Hitler was elected Chief Minister of the republic. The party used violence and murder to create chaos in the republic. The Reichstag (government building) was burned in Berlin and blamed on the Communists. Hitler declared martial law and established a dictatorship Hitler blamed the Weimar Republic for the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles. He believed that the Aryan race was superior and should rule the world. He called the Jews an evil race and blamed them for losing WWI. He also saw Communism as a Jewish plot to control the world. Hitler’s Vision for Germany

Germany Under Nazi Control Human Rights Violations: People were arrested and executed without trial. Rival political parties, unions, and independent newspapers were closed and replaced with pro-Nazi ones. Economic Changes: Hitler made use of public works projects like building highways and military rearmament to secure full employment. Economic prosperity returned to Germany. Persecution of Jews: Jews were thrown out of government jobs. Jews lost citizenship, were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothes, and were banned from marrying other Germans. Jewish shops were vandalized and synagogues were burned down. Jews were forced into special ghettos and concentration camps. Secret Police: The Gestapo (secret police) arrested suspected opponents, who were thrown into concentration camps where they were mistreated, tortured, and killed. Dacahu, the first camp, opened in 1938.

Why Germans liked Hitler 1. Gave people jobs 2. Said that Germans were a superior race 3. Got rid of the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles 4. Restored German military power 5. No opposition could speak out against him How might things have been different if the press had been able to speak out in Russia, Italy, or Germany?

Lesson Suggestions Fascism Activity

World War II in Europe

The Origins of World War Two Hitler wanted revenge on France and Britain for Germany’s defeat in WWI. The League of Nations failed to stop Hitler as he built a large army, navy, and air force. A MEETING OF INTERESTS British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, empire on his mind, “appeasing” Hitler in 1938. The Policy of Appeasement (granting concessions to an aggressor) by European Countries allowed Hitler to retake lands lost to Germany after WWI.

Explain this political cartoon from the 1930s

Timeline to War Hitler helps fascist dictator Francisco Franco take over Spain 1936 Hitler annexes Austria and part of Czechoslovakia into Germany 1938 Mussolini invades Ethiopia 1935 Hitler demands the Danzig from Poland but the Polish refuse to give up the territory. Hitler makes a deal with Stalin to keep the USSR out of the war. Hitler invades Poland in 1939 and WWII begins.

Hitler decided to bomb London and other cities to overcome Britain The War in Europe Blitzkrieg: the use of planes, tanks, and motorized troop carriers to advance rapidly into enemy territory. The Nazis over ran Poland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, and much of North Africa by the end of 1940. Hitler decided to bomb London and other cities to overcome Britain Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, gave speeches on the radio and in public to inspire the British people. Britain had also just invented the radar and was able to use this to help defend the country. Hitler was unable to defeat Britain.

Explain this map from 1942.

Suggested Lessons Beginning of WW2 Activity

Germany Invades the Soviet Union The attack stalled in the cold winter. Tanks and trucks got stuck before they reached Moscow Hitler looked down on other races including the Russians. The Soviets pushed the Germans back. By the time of the German defeat at Stalingrad, Russia had lost 21 million people Hitler launched a surprise attack on Russian in 1941.

Describe this political cartoon? Why would Hitler decide to fight a war with USSR at this time?

The Holocaust: Attempted Genocide of the Jewish People The Final Solution: Hitler decided to execute all European Jews under the cover of the war. Jews were marched out of towns, burned in camps, shot into graves they dug, or gassed in trucks or bunkers. Concentration Camps: Later large camps, like Auschwitz, were built. In these camps the Jews were executed in ovens or by gas. Some were spared to do work in the camp but these were half starved. Human Toll: By the end of the war 6 million Jewish people had been murdered. Another 6 million gypsies, Slavs, political prisoners, elderly, and handicapped people were also killed. Jewish leaders being march out of town to be executed Sign at gate to Auschwitz that says “Work Makes Free” Gestapo

The United States Enters the War The Allies decide to focus on Germany before turning their full strength on Japan. December 7, 1941 Japan attacks the US naval fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii The US joins Britain and the USSR (Allies) in the war against Germany, Italy, and Japan (Axis Powers).

The War in Europe Ends The war turns in favor of the Allies. The USSR has more man power than Germany and the USA has a larger manufacturing capability. British and American forces push through France and Western Germany while Soviet forces advances through Poland and Eastern Germany. June 1944 the Allies invade France (D-Day). This is the largest amphibious landing in history.

The War in Europe Ends FDR and Churchill meet in 1941 and again with Stalin in 1943 (Teheran) and 1945 (Yalta) to ensure that all the countries freed from Germany control would have self determination and to discuss future disarmament. Hitler refused to surrender as the Allies closed in on Berlin from both the East and the West. On April 30, 1945 Hitler killed himself and then the German military leaders surrendered. At the Nuremberg Trials many Nazis were tried and convicted for their crimes. These trials revealed the Nazi use of concentration camps for slave labor, medical experiments on humans, forced starvation, and genocide. Germany was divided into four separate zones of occupation by the Allies. Churchill, FDR, and Stalin at the Yalta Conference1945

Why would the Allies give France an area of control after the war?

WWII Propaganda

WWII Propaganda

Suggested Lessons War in Europe Activity

World War II in Asia

Japan Japan is a series of islands off the coast of China. Japan became an industrialized nation in the latter part of the 19th Century. Look at the map and brainstorm problems an industrialized Japan might have.

Why Japan? Japan needed raw materials and markets for their industries. They also wanted to replace European Imperialism with an Asian one. Military policy began influencing national policy in the 1930s. 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria. 1937 it invaded the rest of China. How is Japan in the 20th century similar to the European powers of the 18th and 19th centuries?

Japan in WWII Japan saw the war in Europe as a distraction that would allow them to take over Asia. When the U.S. threatened to blockade Japanese oil shipments, unless they give up their conquests, Japan attacked the U.S. Japan hoped for a short war that would end with a treaty that would give them control of East Asia. Why was it important for Japan to have a short war?

The War in Asia and the Pacific 1941-1943 Pearl Harbor 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor Hawaii December 7, 1941 The War in Asia and the Pacific 1941-1943 The war lasted much longer than Japan hoped. At first Japan won many victories. They invaded the Philippines, Hong Kong, Borneo, the Solomon Islands, Java, and Singapore. The Tide Turns Against Japan 1943-45 By 1943 the US’s naval superiority began to show. After winning the Battle of Midway the US began “Island hopping” across the Pacific, forcing Japan to retreat back toward home. After Germany’s defeat in Europe the US turned its full force on Japan.

Battle Of Iwo Jima 1945 The USA wanted to capture the island in order to set up strategic airfields in order to attack the main islands of Japan. Some of the bloodiest fighting of WWII in the Pacific. Americans were able to overwhelm the Japanese. Considered a heroic victory for the Americans.

The Atomic Bomb 1945 Albert Einstein played a key role in developing the bomb. He feared that the Nazis were building a bomb so he encouraged the US to develop one. The Manhattan Project developed the bomb in New Mexico. On August 6, 1945 the US dropped the bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. 3 days later another bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. After this the Japanese surrendered. Why would the US use such a devastating weapon?

The Occupation of Japan 1945-52 General Douglas McArthur was assigned the task of re-building Japan. Japan became less imperialistic and aggressive. Japan lost its overseas holdings. Japan lost its army and navy. Military leaders were punished. Japan became a democracy and the Emperor became a figurehead. General Douglas McArthur with Japanese Emperor Hirohito

The Global Impact of WWII As many as 70 million people died in the war. The cities of Europe and Asia lay in ruins. Germany, Italy, and Japan were occupied by foreign troops. The war cost two trillion dollars. Berlin after World War II Compare Europe after WWI to Europe after WWII

The United Nations Purpose: maintain peace in the world and encourage friendship among nations Security Council: leading nations that are responsible for ensuring peace and deterring aggression General Assembly: all member nations How affective has the UN been in recent years?

Lesson Suggestions World War II in Asia Activity Nystrom Atlas Activity 64: World War II Engulfs the World