Setting the Stage for War Part I

Following World War I World War I brought about new conflicts What was the Treaty of Versailles? Did not work German resentment What was going on in the world following WWI? Weimar Republic- successful? Dictators driven by nationalism After the war democracies were set up, but collapsed Dictators were able to take power

Russia becomes the Soviet Union Communism established by Lenin in 1922 Joseph Stalin takes over in 1924 ?Totalitarian Government? Abolished privately owned farms Established Collectives- large government owned farms worked by hundreds of families. 5 Year Plans- to industrialize quickly 1937 second strongest power in the world Estimated 8 to 13 million killed Stalin murdered people who did not agree with him Millions more died from hunger

Mussolini’s Italy Following WWI- unemployment and inflation = discontent in Italy Italy ruled by a king Mussolini takes advantage of discontent Powerful speaker Played on people’s fears 1921 Mussolini established Fascist party Black Shirts= followers Italian King appoints Mussolini head of government

Adolf Hitler Following WWI a jobless soldier 1919 joined struggling Nazi Party- German form of fascism based on extreme nationalism. Powerful speaker Good organizer Became party leader The Beer Hall Putsch Nazi Party attempted to gain power in Munich, but failed.

Hitler’s political beliefs Nazi expansion Unite all German speaking people Enforce racial purification (Germans especially) Aryan Race- (Nordic subtype the best)blue eyed, blond hair=master race destined to rule the world oJews and non-white were only fit to serve Aryan race Mein Kampf (My Struggle)

??? What was going on in the world which helped the Nazi’s gain power? How did the Treaty of Versailles treat Germany?

Nazi’s Gain Power War Debts & dependence on American loans made German economy suffer. By million unemployed Many turned to Hitler for help Joined Hitler’s army “Storm Troopers” 1932 Nazi’s strongest political party in Germany 1933 Hitler appointed German chancellor (Prime Minister) Dismantled the Weimar Republic Established the Third Reich

Hitler’s First Years Bans Strikes Gov’t given authority over businesses and labor Unemployment dropped from 6 million to 1.5 million in 1936!!!! Built roads, constructed factories, manufactured weapons, and served in the military. What’s wrong with the above statement? Controlled every aspect of German life Press, radio, books to embrace Nazi belief Hitler Youth & League of German Girls

Part II

China (1912 Proves To Be A Very Important Year For China) Democracy vs. Communism

Militaristic Japan Emperor reigns but doesn’t rule; Meiji changed this in 1860’s Great Depression put blame on government 1920’s extreme military leaders attempted to overthrow the emperor. Unsuccessful Military leaders launch surprise attack on China anyway In Manchuria Why would Japan want to invade another country ?

Manchukuo Within months Japan controlled this area Set up a “puppet government” Why didn’t China win against tiny Japan? Back in Democracy established in China Chiang Kai-shek (democratic) could not defeat the Japanese Better equipped and trained (westernization) Conquer Beijing and Nanjing The Democratic Chinese set up new capital in west and continue to fight Mao Zedong (a Chinese communist)

Japanese Invasions What’s the League of Nations? Sent people to investigate What did Japan do? Militarists in total control of Japan

Italy Conquers Ethiopia Resisted Italians in 1890s Mussolini wants revenge October 1935 defeats the Ethiopians Italians had modern weapons, Ethiopians did not League condemns Italy but does nothing Hope to keep peace by giving in

Hitler Ignores Versailles Treaty See’s the League did nothing to Japan or Italy- Hitler builds up army. League could not stop him Actually makes Hitler more confident Rhineland Buffer between Germany and France Why does he want it? Hitler invades despite warnings What happens? Appeasement Giving in to the opponent to keep peace If Britain had stepped in at this point, Hitler would have stopped. Strengthens Hitler’s prestige and power Opens up Belgium and France to Germany Axis Powers Formed Italy and Japan decide to join up with Germany

The Final Steps U.S. was still Isolationist Passes Neutrality Acts The Third Reich March 1938 Germany annexes Austria France and Britain ignore pledge to protect Austria Sudetenland Area of Czechoslovakia made up of German speakers Hitler demands rule of the area Czech’s ask for help Appeasement Round 2 (Hitler Calls A Meeting) Munich Conference Germany, France, Britain, Italy Neville Chamberlain British P.M. chooses appeasement Gives Germany Sudetenland if Germany would respect Czech border Winston Churchill Warns that appeasement would lead to war

Was Hitler really done?

Six Months Later March, 1938 Hitler takes Czechoslovakia Mussolini takes Albania Hitler demands Danzig port from Poland Doesn’t think Britain and France will risk war Hitler and Stalin sign nonaggression pact August 23 rd, 1939 Why? No one is left to stop the Axis Powers