Four Minutes First Four Chart Activity #3 – Label & date your paper. – Find your Major Themes Sheet – Write a thesis statement that answers a guiding question for the unit. – List supporting historical evidence. Keep this with all of your other First Four work. End

Thesis Statement A thesis statement is… – A road map for the paper. It tells the reader what to expect. – Your argument…not just a description or a restatement of the question. – Usually 2-3 sentences at start of paper Three Characteristics – Directly answers the question – Makes an argument – Establishes clear categories – usually 3

Examples See samples. Write one of your own on your First Four work.

Review Nazi-Soviet Pact – Why is this such a big deal? Skits – Characters? – The problem or dilemma? – How resolved? – Why such a big deal?

Europe 1938

Hitler’s War Why did the Second World War break out?

Goodbye Czechoslovakia March 1939, Hitler invaded all of Czechoslovakia Britain and France???

Poland It is certain that within a few months not one Frenchman nor a single Englishmen will go to war for Poland – German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop. May, 1939

Poland Our enemies have men who are below average. No personalities. No masters. No men of action. Our enemies are little worms. I saw them at Munich. They will be too cowardly to attack. They won’t go beyond a blockade. My only worry is that Chamberlain or some other such pig of a fellow will come a the last moment with proposals. – Hitler, August 1939

What do each of the previous documents indicate about German predictions about the possibility of war?

The Minds of the West Britain & France believed appeasement to be a failure Chamberlain: “After this I cannot trust the Nazi leaders again.” Britain & France said, “No more!” Promised to defend Poland. Hitler assumed they were bluffing.

Nazi-Soviet Pact Why did Hitler believe Britain & France still would not fight?

Nazi-Soviet Pact Italy and Japan were annoyed by pact, so they refused to help Hitler. Canada, Australia and New Zealand expressed support for a hardline against Hitler.

Hitler’s Surprised! Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, September 3, 1939 Britain and France declared war. Hitler is SHOCKED.

Misjudgment Why did Hitler not suspect invading Poland would lead to war? – Appeasement made him think B & F would not fight. – Advisors TOLD him B & F would not fight. – He overestimated the impact of his alliance with the USSR – He did not understand the motives of Western leaders. – Other nations ready to act – Canada, Australia, New Zealand

When I finished reading out the British ultimatum there was complete silence. Hitler sat immobile, gazing before him. After an interval, which seemed like an age, he turned to Ribbentrop. “What now?” asked Hitler with a savage look, as though implying that his foreign minister had misled him about England’s probable reaction. – P. Schmidt, Hitler’s interpreter. – What does this source tell us about Hitler’s prediction of Britain’s actions after Poland.

Why do they fight? They have nothing to gain? They have no definite objectives. We want nothing from Great Britain or France. I have not a single aspiration in the West. I want England to retain her Empire, and her command of the seas unimpaired. – Hitler, October – What is Hitler expressing in this source?

Assignment Based on our readings, discussions, and your understanding, answer the following on your own paper: Analyzes the causes of World War II?