The Road to WW2: Causes (Part 1)

1. The Treaty of Versailles(1919) Harsh terms intended to make Germany powerless accept total blame for WW1 reduced military reparations of $33 billion loss of territory In reality the treaty had the opposite effect. It gave Germans grievances that Hitler would attempt to solve, such as restoring national pride

2. Europe: The Emergence of New Countries After WW1 After WW1 German people were living in new countries (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria) that had previously been Germany Many Germans felt these countries should “belong” to Germany Lebensraum

3. Economic Depression 1930’s The Great Depression (1930’s) made times hard for all people especially Germans Depression + ($33 billion Reparations) desperation! a people that will agreed to almost anything enthusiastically in return for a better life

4. Rise of Extremism - Dictators (Fascism / Communism) Political democracies were new to many post WW1 European nations – voters had difficulty judging the new politicians Great Depression caused social, economic, political problems – People were ready to follow any leader that promised to make things better! Political Spectrum (of sorts!) Left Communism Right Fascism USSR NAZI Germany Italy State Individual Canada, Britain, France, US Centre Democracy

4. Rise of Fascism –Totalitarianism (Dictators) A form of government (dictatorship) backed by secret police and the army Based on nationalistic and racist theories The state (nationalism) is more important than the individual All opposition is suppressed (political, labour, religion)

Rise of Fascism –Totalitarianism (Dictators) Secret police Military support No political opposition DICTATORS create an us and them Control the media citizenship Scapegoat (to blame for all the problems) prison or death Jews, Gypsies

Rise of Extremism: Fascism & Communism Hitler Communism Stalin Fascism Franco Fascism Mussolini

Benito Mussolini banning opposing political parties & unions Called “Il Duce” meaning “The Leader” Created a totalitarian dictatorship (1922) by: banning opposing political parties & unions censoring newspapers creating a secret police force Wished to return Italy to its glorious history (Rome)

Communism in the USSR October 1917- Communist overthrow of the Russian Monarchy and government A Civil War followed until the 1920’s- the communist party- Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Josef Stalin held on to power The communist government took control of banks, mines, oil companies and manufacturing industry Religion was banned and the media was controlled by the state

Josef Stalin 1924 Josef Stalin became the leader of the USSR (probably by poisoning Lenin) He annexed many surrounding areas to form a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) by force Stalin was ruthless, paranoid and intelligent- destroyed any opposition by executing, imprisoning, deporting, and starving upwards of 30 million people In Canada people were very afraid of communism due to it being associated with the USSR and Stalin which wasn’t really communism (it was Stalinism) In 1990 the USSR collapsed creating around 20 countries that in the 1920’s were their own independent states

Spain 1931- 1936 Spain was democratic but the Depression caused many people to despise their government 1936 an attempted coup by army officers and conservative groups Civil War occurred- 1 million Spanish were killed (by other Spanish) General Francisco Franco led the rebels- and was supported by Mussolini (and Hitler, we haven’t talked about him yet) Franco relied on terrorism February 1939 Franco was victorious and created a ruthless totalitarian state- he remained in power until 1975

Canadians in Spain Canada refused to become involved in the Spanish Civil War- however many individuals did not agree with this 40, 000 people form Britain, the USA and Canada joined the International Brigade against Franco 1700 Canadians had fought in Spain and 1/3 of them died Dr. Norman Bethune- mobile blood transfusion service (refrigerated trucks)

Rise of Adolph Hitler 1923 propaganda 1928 1929 1932 1933 -Hitler, leader of Nazi party, conducts an armed revolt in Munich -Thrown in prison – writes “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle) 1923 propaganda -Hitler re-organized the NAZI (National Socialist) party. -Established NAZI s throughout Germany – wins 12 seats 1928 -NY Stock Market Crash and economic world Depression -Hindenburg government fails to solve economic problems -Hitler widespread campaigns – using the airplane – rallies 1929 1932 -Hindenburg president appoints Hitler chancellor to gain support of the Reichstag (German parliament) – believed Hitler could be controlled. 1933 -Hitler seizes power. Proclaims himself Fuhrer The establishment of a totalitarian state. State before the Individual.

Why Germans Supported Hitler Glad to see a strong man in charge Didn’t realize his intentions even though they were documented in Mein Kampf Inspiring leader Brilliant and hypnotizing speaker Inspiring Nazi rallies: songs, parades People felt they were part of a new movement Propaganda offered a source of all problems – the Jews Made being a Nazi exciting – uniforms, songs, symbols Fear

1933 -Hitler becomes the “Fuhrer” His policies – What he did! “Lebensraum” (living room) to take over all German-speaking countries annexed by the Treaty of Versaille (Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia) Secret police – Gestapo Search-out, seize, torture and terrorize all opposition Propaganda – gave people targets to blame for all problems: The Treaty of Versailles, Jews and communists. Preached “racial purity” - Germans were a ‘master race’ Jobs - Got Germans back to work – poured money into construction and factories: new roads, weapons (forbidden by T of Versailles.) men flocked to the army