Unit 4: World War II Introduction GRADE 9 SOCIAL STUDIES Unit 4: World War II Introduction

OVERVIEW OF WORLD WAR II It lasted from 1939-1945 Major conflict was between two alliances: ALLIED POWERS: Britain, France, Soviet Union, U.S. AXIS POWERS: Germany, Italy, Japan There were two main “theaters of war”: Europe and the Atlantic and The Pacific (between the U.S. and Japan) One in ten Canadians served in the armed forced with the Allied Powers (over a million of the 11 million Canadian population) Millions more were involved in the war on the home front.

BACKGROUND AND CAUSES

TREATY OF VERSAILLES A Peace settlement that ended World War I that punished Germany for starting the war. It took away all land that they conquered, stripped them of their military and forced them to pay REPARATIONS (money for all damages). Germans suffered greatly as a result of the treaty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKzZ1OwPXgk

RISE OF HITLER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFNUdCtMXWE Leader of the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler, was able to use anger over the Treaty of Versailles as a way to gain popularity. He promised to rip it up He also offered simple solutions to Germany’s complex problems (they were also suffering through the Great Depression worse than anyone) He came to power in 1933 and immediately banned any other political parties and all other opposition He became the DICTATOR (only ruler) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFNUdCtMXWE

HITLER’S ACTIONS Once in power, Hitler broke the terms of the treaty (built up the armed forces and annexed (took over) all land that was taken after World War I) Rhineland, March 1936 Austria, March 1938 Sudetenland, October 1938 Czechoslovakia, March 1939

APPEASEMENT Britain, France and the United States (who imposed the Versailles Treaty) did not take a stand against Hitler’s actions. They hoped that by satisfying Germany’s demands, peace would prevail. This gave Hitler the confidence to continue doing things to suit his wants.

INVASION OF POLAND Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 Britain and France had enough (“the straw that broke the camels back”) Two days later, Britain and France declared war.

Why did the western democratic powers APPEASE Hitler?

They didn’t want to fight another large-scale war; World War I was still fresh in people’s minds They were stuck in the deep into The Great Depression; they had many other problems to face at home. They felt guilty over the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles

Did the policy of APPEASEMENT work?

HOW DID CANADA GET INVOLVED IN WORLD WAR II? Canada was not automatically dragged into the war like they were in World War I Canada had gained much more independence from Britain since then Canada formally declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939 after two days of debate in Parliament

THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPROMISE Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King announced that Canada would fully support Britain by providing war materials and it would only provide a “small” volunteer army.