1. World War II

2. Problems after WWI Economic Issues Political Unrest Germany
Devastation of economies from war
Great Depression  inflation; inability to repay loans
Political Unrest
Fear of Communism
Rise of right wing dictators
Germany
War Guilt
Reparations
Decreased military
Overall feeling of resentment by German people

3. The rise of new political leaders
The overall economic turmoil and depression of European nations allowed for the rise of new political leaders  dictators
Totalitarian – complete and total control over all aspects of daily life.
Commonly ruled through fear and violence

4. The Totalitarian Dictators
Joseph Stalin  Soviet Union
Benito Mussolini  Italy
Adolf Hitler  Germany
Hideki Tojo  Japan

5. Pictures

6. Stalin and the Soviet Union
Joseph Stalin came to power in the newly communist USSR (or Soviet Union) after the death of Lenin.
Stalin’s Soviet Union
Communist
Push for industrial growth
Acted as totalitarian dictator – controlled aspects of daily life
Silenced and even killed any who spoke against him

7. Fascism
On the opposite end of the political spectrum from communism is the political ideology known as….Fascism
Fascism- a system of government in which the glory and will of the state is held above all other things (even the individual)
Little rights or concerns towards individuals.

8. Benito Mussolini and Italy
Mussolini rose through Italian politics after World War I.
His vision- strong and orderly Italy – appealed to most Italians
Blamed Communists and Socialists for all problems
Promised a return to greatness – like the Roman Empire
He gained wide support, why?
Mussolini in action
Allowed no political opposition
Controlled newspapers, schools, businesses, etc.

10. Adolf Hitler & Germany
As a young adult, joined the Nazi party in Germany
Party attracted many unhappy with German conditions after WWI
After an unsuccessful revolt, ordered to prison
His vision
Stressed nationalism and devotion to state
Dreamed of uniting all Germans into a greater German empire
Racial superiority of Germanic peoples (Aryans)
Rise to Power
1933- Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
Gained support and was able to acquire full power
Immediately began taking action to restore Germany to greatness…

11. Causes of World War II

12. Aggression Italy In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia
In an effort to establish a new Italian empire
Ethiopian emperor pleaded to the League of Nations (collection of European nations) to help
League criticized Mussolini, but just asked that he maintain Ethiopian independence.
Lack of true economic sanctions allowed Mussolini to have his way

13. Aggression
Japan
By the 1930s, Japan was eager to acquire an empire like most of the European nations
In 1931, Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria – wanted their resources
League strongly criticized Japan
In return, Japan simply left the League and ignored their criticism

14. Aggression- Hitler Style
After Hitler took power, he took immediate action to restore German greatness
Re-built the German military (especially Navy- was granted permission to do so..)
Sent troops into demilitarized zone of the Rhineland
Both direct violations of Treaty of Versailles
Actions
Austria: 1938, Hitler sent troops into neighboring country of Austria to join it with Germany
Sudetenland: German speaking region of neighboring country of Czechoslovakia
Pushed Germans in the region to protest Czech rule and threatened military action.

16. Appeasement
Appeasement: a strategy in which nations gave in to Hitler’s demands in the hopes of avoiding war
This was decided upon at the Munich Conference by British and French leaders (with American support)
Hitler and Czechoslovakia
Leaders allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland if he promised to not touch the rest of the nation
March Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia

17. Hitler Marches On…

18. Poland
After the issue in Czechoslovakia, Hitler realized no one could stop him…
Invasion of Poland
September 1, 1939: Hitler began his invasion of new country Poland. Using his blitzkrieg tactic, Poland was no match and quickly fell
Problem- British and French had declared support to Poland
War Declared
2 days after invasion on September 3, British and French declared war on Germany.
World War II officially began

19. Axis v. Allies
Germany
Italy
Japan
Britain
France
USSR
USA