WWII Origins

Europe After WWI Germany Germany was left weak, humiliated & economically devastated Political turmoil led to a weak gov’t > Weimar Republic Hitler’s rise to power – National Socialists (Nazis) – Mein Kampf – Lebensraum – Dynamic speaker Italy Despite winning, mainly ignored at conference Mussolini also a dynamic speaker Fascism: glory of the state Sets up a dictatorship under Il Duce

Discussion Questions Fascist ItalyNazi GermanyCommunist Soviet Union -Extreme nationalism - Militaristic expansionism -Charismatic leader -Private property with strong government controls -Anti-communist -Extreme nationalism & racism -Militaristic expansionism -Forceful leader -Private property with strong government controls -Anti-communist -Create a sound communist state & wait for world revolution -Revolution by workers -Eventual rule by working class -State ownership or property 1.Which two systems of totalitarianism share similar characteristics? 2.At the time, which system do you think the U.S. was most concerned with? Why?

Post-WWI Developments Japan Limited islands 1931 army (without gov’t approval) invaded Manchuria for land & resources League of Nations criticized Japan so Japan withdrew from League League of Nations Powerlessness of League evident in Japanese invasion of Manchuria No one willing to enforce policies Lead to Italy’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia

MANCHURIA ETHIOPIA

Hitler’s Actions Violates the Treaty of Versailles by: 1.Rebuilding the German military occupying the Rhineland Resource-rich land on border with France How does France respond? Anschluss Union with Austria Why does Hitler desire this?

Munich Conference Hitler invades Sudetenland (German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia) Leaders of major countries (excluding Czechoslovakia) meet to discuss Hitler’s actions British PM Chamberlain allows Hitler to annex the Sudetenland Claims “peace in our time” Appeasement > giving in to demands to maintain peace

Hitler’s Early Moves 1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact – Agreement signed by Hitler & Stalin – Publicly agree not to invade each other – Secretly agree Germany will invade Poland & Soviet Union will take eastern part of Poland – Why would these 2 leaders sign this?? Sept. 1, 1939 Hitler invades Poland – *Signals the beginning of WWII – Use of blitzkrieg: lightning fast war

Nazi-Soviet Pact (Non-Aggression Pact)

German Forces Turn to the West Sept. 3, 1938 Allies unite (Britain & France) sitzkrieg or phony war April 1940 Hitler invades Denmark & Norway > surrender quickly May 1940 Netherlands & Belgium fall – Heroic Dunkirk rescue Vichy France – French easily overwhelmed; Vichy France: unoccupied part of France where leaders cooperate with Hitler – Charles de Gaulle leads gov’t- in-exile to resist Nazis

Battle of Great Britain Britain now stands alone against Hitler British PM Winston Churchill inspired British RAF vs. Luftwaffe in nightly raids Germany attacks civilians & cities > why is this a mistake? RAF has radar & enigma machine Edward R. Murrow broadcasts to U.S. *Shows Hitler can be stopped

Tensions in East Asia Japan continues aggression 1937 Japan attacks China So brutal > Rape of Nanjing Axis Powers 1940 – Japan’s military allies with Germany & Italy to become known as the Axis Powers

American Policy Isolationism – Continued policy from 1920s-30s Neutrality Act 1935 – Law passed by Congress to prevent U.S. from being drawn into war (like WWI) – U.S. remained neutral FDR’s Response – Quarantine Speech – 1938 cash & carry policy

Discussion Questions In the summer of 1939, President Roosevelt addresses an anxious nation in response to atrocities in Europe committed by Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Roosevelt declares in his broadcast that the U.S. “will remain a neutral nation.” He acknowledges, however, that he “cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought.” 3. Why might the U.S. try to remain neutral? 4. How might involvement in a large scale war influence the U.S.? 5. How can neutral countries participate in the affairs of warring countries?

Preparing for War Election of 1940 – FDR’s 3 rd term – Opponent Wendell Willkie (foreign policy similar to FDR) 1940 Lend-Lease Act – Send weapons to Britain regardless of ability to pay – “Neighbors house on fire” Atlantic Charter – FDR & Churchill meet secretly & agree to oppose Hitler & his allies

Election of 1940

Pearl Harbor 1941 Tensions between U.S. & Japan over oil & access to Pacific islands *Dec. 7, 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, HI Confusion led to 8 battleships damaged, 4 were sunk, 200 aircraft destroyed & 2400 Americans died Americans react with anger Dec. 8, 1941 declaration of war “Yesterday was a date which will live in infamy…”