Leading up to WW2: Bridging the Gap Between WWI and WWII 8-4 Social Studies

WWI: “The War to End All Wars” Much turmoil after WWI Treaty of Versailles ended WWI – Germany vs. the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Russia, Italy, United States) 135 countries participated in this war Death total: 15 million+

Several Major Causes of WW2…

1. The Treaty of Versailles Germany lost WW1, faced harsh treaty Germany forced to “accept the responsibility” of the war damages suffered by the Allies Germany required to pay hugely Country left in economic ruins – Starvation – Government in chaos

2. Japanese Expansion Before WWII: Japan growing rapidly Didn’t have land or natural resources to sustain growth Looking to expand their empire to gain new resources Invaded Manchuria (Northeast Asia) in 1931 and China in 1937 Sparked upheaval

3. Fascism Dictatorial form of government (opposite of democracy) – Ruling party & single person in power are superior to all other citizens. – Reject basic human rights… Freedom of speech Right to protest the government

Fascism, cont’d… Post WWI: countries taken over by powerful dictators Mussolini=Italy Looking for lands to conquer to expand their empires Italy invades Ethiopia in 1935 Adolf Hitler emulates Mussolini as he takes over Germany

4. Hitler and the Nazi Party Hitler and the Nazi Party rise to power in Germany Germans desperate to turn their country around after WWI destruction Hitler offered hope 1934: Hitler proclaimed the “Fuhrer” (leader) – Becomes dictator of Germany

Hitler and the Nazis, cont’d… Hitler furious about restrictions of Germans in Treaty of Versailles Rearms Germany Teams up with Mussolini and Italy Takes over Austria in 1938 Grows bolder; takes over Czechoslovakia in 1939

5. Appeasement European countries didn’t want another war Britain and France tried to keep the peace through “appeasement” – Tried to make Germany and Hitler happy rather than trying to stop them – Backfires: Hitler grows bolder; gives him time to build up his army

6. The Great Depression Pre WWII, during the 1930s Great economic suffering throughout the world Result: unstable governments (i.e., where Fascist leaders stepped in) and worldwide turmoil Contributed to causes of WWII

The Beginning of the Second World War Phase 1: September 1939-June 1940

The Official Beginning… Germany invades Poland from the West – Marks the official beginning of WWII – September 1, days later, Soviet Union invades Poland from the East Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non- aggression pact – They wouldn’t be enemies – Agree to divide Poland between them

Allied Forces During Phase 1 France Britain The Commonwealth (several countries; for example: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) **Canada officially entered the war on September 10 th, 1939, but didn’t make a total commitment to the war effort until May, 1940.

Axis Forces During Phase 1 Germany Italy Japan

Blitzkreig, 1940 German term for “lightning war” A military tactic to easily break through Allied defenses in several places – Combines tanks, aircraft, and mobile infantry – Fast-moving, powerful units

Blitzkreig, cont’d… Germany unleashes against Belgium and the Netherlands Bypass Maginot Line (line of concrete fortifications, obstacles and weaponry) – French line of defense

Blitzkreig, cont’d… British and French armies tried to stop the Germans but were defeated. Humiliated, the French government surrendered to Germany, leaving Britain to carry on the fight alone

Canada’s Contribution Sent small volunteer army using ships known as the Merchant Marine – Merchant Marine: ocean-going ships used for trade that were converted to transport military personnel and supplies First ships (September, 1939) sunk by German submarines almost immediately

Canada’s Contribution, cont’d… The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) or simply “The Plan” – Created December, 1939 – Massive, joint military aircrew training program created by UK, CAN, AUS, and NZ – Canada’s air force would train Allied pilots in Canada – 131,000 air crew trained in Canada

Canadian Government During Phase 1 William Lyon MacKenzie King and Liberal Party win federal election Policy of sending small volunteer army overseas while having large scale war production at home. – Why would this policy be popular with Canadians? May, 1940: Canada changes policy – German victories – National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) – Canada moves into a total commitment to the war effort

The Second World War Phase 2 June July 1943

Bad News for Britain The second phase of the war began badly for Britain and its allies When would the war against Hitler be won?

The War Takes a Turn Two major events: 1. June 1941: German armies invade Soviet Union  Breaks the terms of the non- aggression pact  Soviet Union becomes Britain’s ally

2. December 7, 1941: Japan attacks the U.S. at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii  Surprise attack by Japanese Navy against U.S. naval base  U.S. had not yet entered the war  U.S. declares war on Germany and Japan  Both events change the course of the war

Significant Losses June 1942: U.S. forces retaliate, destroying much of Japan’s air and naval forces. February 1943: Battle of Stalingrad ends – German army fights Soviet army for control of the city of Stalingrad, Russia – Germany suffers major defeat

Canada’s Contribution Battle of the Atlantic ( ): – Navy and merchant marine fighting – Canada’s enormous effort was crucial to Allied victory – Convoys of merchant ships carrying war materials to Britain and the Soviet Union – German submarines successful in sinking several convoys – Mid-1943: more effective anti-submarine tactics

Canadian Failures Hong Kong, November 1941: – Canadians sent to back up the British there – Japan attacks Hong Kong on December 7, – Japan defeats British & Canadians Battle of Dieppe, France, 1942: – More than 6000 Allie soldiers participated (4963 Canadians) – Disastrous for Canadians—over 900 killed & 1900 prisoners of war

Doubting Canada… Were we properly equipped? Were we properly trained? Should we have participated in these operations in the first place?

Canadian Propaganda Posters

Before the War Propaganda Physically and psychologically unprepared for the war Recovering from the trauma of the depression Weren’t prepared or enthusiastic about the war Government forced to support the war and defuse discontent

Extensive Propaganda Campaign Bureau of Public Information; later the Wartime Information Board Dampen cynicism & stimulate support Posters became an essential element – Relatively inexpensive – Timely fashion – Broad, sustained exposure

Posters Everywhere Billboards Shop windows Theatres Buses Streetcars Matchbox covers

“Message Delivered” Implied much more than they stated or showed Communicated complex, highly emotional messages “in the blink of an eye” Instantly internalized rather than analyzed Strikingly immediate impact on people’s… – Values – Attitudes – Aspirations

Phase 3 July 1943-June 1944

Good News for the Allies Balance shifts in favour of Allies Allies on the offensive on all fronts *Front: the term used to describe the line of contact between two enemy forces.

Global Context U.S. forces pushed the Japanese back and recaptured the Philippines Soviet army was forcing German army to retreat back to Berlin The aerial bombing of Germany increased – greater number of bomber and fighter aircraft being produced in Canada and the U.S.

Canada’s Contribution Canada— “the bomb dot com” By 1943, there was an all-Canadian bomber group—due to Canada’s air force expansion Goal: destroy Germany’s industry and therefore its ability to wage war German civilians killed and injured

Canada’s Contribution, cont’d… “The Italian Campaign” Allied Invasion of Sicily, Italy (July 9 –August 17, 1943): The Canadian fighting force had expanded from a single division to a full army. The First Canadian Division invaded island of Sicily and won. Allies took Sicily from Axis Powers (Italy and Nazi Germany) Benito Mussolini toppled from power (shot dead on April 28, 1945)

Canada’s Contribution, cont’d… “The Italian Campaign” Fighting intensifies in Italy: Canadians continued to fight in Italy and faced German reinforcements. Canadian soldiers took part the Battle for Ortona, Italy in December, – Canada vs. Germany – After 8 days of fighting, depleted Germany withdrew – Canada’s capture of Ortona is one of the country’s greatest victories during the war

Canada’s Contribution, cont’d… “The Italian Campaign” Battle for Cassino, Italy: January 17-May 18, 1944 Canada participated in the attack against the German army at the town of Cassino, Italy Canadians fought in Italy until 1945, when they were moved to northwest Europe to rejoin the rest of the Canadian army.