1. World War II Presentation

2. Treaty of Versailles
1. Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war.
2. Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called Reparations) for the damage done during the war.
3. Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force. She could have six battleships, an Army of just 100,000 men, and was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland.
4. Germany lost Territory (land) in Europe (see map, below). Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France.

3. Neutrality vs. Isolationism
Neutrality= deliberately taking no side in a dispute or controversy- they do not limit trade with other nations.
Isolationism= a national foreign policy of remaining apart from political or economic entanglements with other countries.

4. Rise of Totalitarian Govts.
In totalitarian governments, one political party has total control over the government and bans all other parties.
In Germany and Italy these governments were formed on the basis of fascism.
(fascism places the importance of the nation above all else and individual rights and freedoms are lost as everyone works to benefit the nation.

5. The Rise of Dictators
Allies had expected Germany to pay for damages during World War I
Didn’t have enough money to do this
Adolph Hitler, leader of Germany during the 20’s, said Germany had been treated unfairly.
Believed only Germans with blond hair and blue eyes were “true Germans”
Blamed Jews for many of the problems.

6. Dictators
Italy – Benito Mussolini – began a political movement – fascism – an extreme form of nationalism and racism.
Germany – Adolf Hitler – leader of the fascist National Socialist German Workers’ Party – or Nazi Party.
Soviet Union - Joseph Stalin – the Communist dictator took over upon the death of Vladimir Lenin (led the Communist takeover of Russia in 1917.) His government tried to control every aspect of life in the nation.
Japan – The military was gaining more and more power with army General Hideki Tojo having more power than the Emperor Hirohito.

7. Civil War in Spain
Germany and Italy provided military assistance to Francisco Franco, a fascist leader in Spain who was attempting to overthrow the government.
- The United States pursued a policy of neutrality and Franco won the civil war and established a fascist government. Franco remained the leader until his death in 1975.

8. 1938 Munich Agreement
Adolf Hitler convinced Great Britain and France that once he obtained the heavily German populated region of Czechoslovakia (called the Sudentenland) that he would make no further territorial aggression.
The policy of appeasement was used here, which means to agree to the demands of a potential enemy in order to keep peace.
Within six months Hitler broke this agreement and seized the rest of Czechoslovakia.

9. Lend-Lease Act
Although the United States was “officially” committed to a policy of neutrality, President Roosevelt found a way to provide aid and warships to Great Britain.
Roosevelt convinced Congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the U.S. to lend war materials “to any country whose defense was deemed vital to the defense of the United States.”

10. Japan’s Attack on Pearl Harbor
The United States did not enter WWII until On December 7th Japanese war planes attacked the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The attack on Pearl Harbor fueled American nationalism and patriotism. The day after the attack, Congress declared war on Japan.

11. Causes of World War II- Long Term
WWI (the harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles)
Dictators come to power in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union
Severe economic problems exist in Europe and Asia.
Italy, Germany, and Japan expand their territory.
The policy of appeasement fails.

12. Causes of World War II- Short Term
Germany Invades Poland
Japan attacks the United States at Pearl Harbor.

13. The League of Nations
Japan invaded Manchuria and China asked the League of Nations for help!
The League asked member nations to stop trading with Japan.
Japan leaves the League of Nations.
October 1935, Italy invades Abyssinia.
Italy traded with non-member states.

14. Failures of the League of Nations
Not all countries joined the League
The League had no power
The League had no army
Unable to act quickly (only met 4x a year!)

15. Key Players- The Axis Powers
Italy
Germany
Japan

16. Key Players- The Allied Powers
Great Britain
United States and Canada
Soviet Union
France (except during German occupation)