1. LEADING INTO WWII

2. Germany Faces Economic Despair and Political Instability Post-WWI

3. Economic and Political Issues  Why?  Treaty of Versailles forced them to give up land, limit its military and pay $32 billion for cost of war  REVENGE!: Many European nations were on the verge of bankruptcy and refused to make the treaty more just  Germany started printing more money- creating terrible inflation  Weimer Republic: post-WWI German government INFLATION Money became worth less and less, so – by the fall of 1923 one US dollar was worth one BILLION German marks! 2 millions marks 4 millions marks WEIMER REPUBLIC Unable to deal with post-war problems German people were looking for someone to blame! And those Weimer guys had signed the Treaty!

4. So how does America respond?  ISOLATION! Leave us out of it!  But we need our money!  Dawes Act (1924) we give money to Germany  Germany pays back England and France  England and France pay us back (essentially we’re paying ourselves back!)

5. The Rise of Adolf Hitler

6. Background on Adolf Hitler  Born in 1889 in Austria  WWI  Enlisted in German army  Emerged from war an extreme nationalist- giving wildly emotional speeches attacking WR and promoting Nazism

7. Hitler speaking in 1933  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q- 6H4xOUrs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q- 6H4xOUrs&feature=related

8. Hitler’s Power Increases  1923- Hitler led an uprising and was jailed for a year, he wrote:  Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”)  German people are of a superior “Aryan” race that was meant to control others and rule the world  Blamed Jews for Germany’s economic problems and defeat in WWI

9. Hitler’s Power Increases  Nazi party grows and gain more seats in the Reichstag (German legislature)  1932- several events occur that quickly increase the power of Hitler and his Nazi party  1934- He becomes FUHRER (“leader”) and creates a fascist state  Army takes oath to obey Hitler  Took control of all aspects of government- outlawed opposition and dissent

10. Hitler’s Policies

11. Anti-Semitic Policies  Starts with limiting Jewish professions (no teaching, law, medicine…)  Nuremberg Laws, 1935  No citizenship  Banned marriages between Jews and non- Jews  Register with government and wear yellow Stars of David

12. Symbols  Symbols and colors were used to identify different groups based on race and religion

13. Anti-Semitic Policies  Kristallnacht  “Night of Broken Glass”  15 hours: 200 synagogues destroyed by fire 7,500 Jewish-owned stores looted over 100 Jews killed, 30,000 Jews were arrested and interned in prison camps

14. Domestic and Foreign Policies  Military buildup (ignoring Treaty of Versailles) is necessary for recovery and national pride  “Aryan master race” means: Germany has the right to expand and win territory!  Increased taxes and controlled wages and prices  Built housing, highways and sports arenas Our economy will be awesome! We will gain new territory! We deserve it!!

15. Domestic and Foreign Policies

16. So how does the US respond?  FDR and Hitler came into power in the same year (1932)  So we focus on domestic concerns! New Deal!  Americans did not want to get militarily involved, instead we encourage disarmament What’s going on in the US at that time?

17. What’s going on in other nations at this time? Italy, Spain and Japan

18. Issues In Italy  Severe social and economic problems (much like Germany)  Benito Mussolini and fascism to save the day (so they said)  Inspired patriotism, obedience to authority and militarism  Fascists controlled or regulated social, political and economic aspects of Italy  If problems continue- it’s the world’s fault!!

19. Remind you of anyone?

20. Issues in Italy  Imperialism!  Pursued territorial expansion  Ethiopia fell to Italian military and the League of Nations did nothing effectively to stop it

21. Issues in Spain  Spanish Civil War  Franco and Nationalist Party vs. Republicans Franco wins!  Mussolini and Hitler back him up!  Rome-Berlin Axis  Military alliance- hey and maybe we’ll interfere in other countries too!

22. Issues in Japan  Economic problems! Nationalism rising  Militarism  Military leaders rose to power  Arrested government critics, preached total obedience, glorified war and empire  Imperialism  Attacked Manchuria and wanted to continue aggressive policies in Asia  Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis Fears?

23. US Response  Neutrality Acts- 1935, 1936, 1937  Cannot trade with military aggressive nations, travel on ships of countries at war or loan them money  “Moral Embargo” with Italy  Responding economically to Italy’s aggression (so instead of selling them munitions, we sold them oil, copper and scrap metal so that Italy could make war materials themselves)

24. US Response  Trying to maintain neutrality as Franco takes power in Spain  Issued Stimson Doctrine to Japanese  “We don’t like what you’re doing Japan! But we’re staying out of it.”  “Quarantine Speech” by FDR  As aggression continued in Asia and Europe, FDR became more concerned- BUT no action accompanied the speech.

25. “The epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease..”

26. German Aggression WWII

27. Territorial Expansion  Reoccupied Rhineland (‘36)  Invaded Austria (’38)  Demands Sudetenland (region within Czechoslovakia)  Munich Agreement, Sept. 28, 1938 Hitler and Chamberlain Hitler gets to keep Sudetenland and promises he won’t try to expand anymore Appeasement

28. The US?  Encourages the Munich Agreement  Maintains neutrality

29. More German Aggression  Hitler invades Czechoslovakia  Nazi-Soviet Pact  Pledged not to attack each other  world is astonished! But Soviets felt they had to act independently because France and Britain were hesitant to join forces with Soviet Union! I was kidding about the Munich Agreement! I want more land! Germany deserves it!

30. WWII Begins

31. The Start  September 1, 1939  Hitler invades Poland  Great Britain and France declare war on Germany

32. US Actions- Road to War  Debating neutrality at start of war- it’s becoming more complicated  Cash and Carry  FDR: If we want to continue neutrality we need to help Allies or we’ll be in danger!  Sell weapons to Allies as long as paid in cash and the Allies transport them across the Atlantic  American public thinks Hitler needs to be defeated BUT they want to stay out of war

33. FDR State of the Union January 6, 1941 In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world.

34. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world. FDR State of the Union January 6, 1941

35. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants--everywhere in the world. FDR State of the Union January 6, 1941

36. The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world. FDR State of the Union January 6, 1941 Are these worth fighting for? Do we fight?

37. US Actions- Road to War  Hitler is gaining power and territory  Britain was lone power fighting off Germany  Atlantic Charter- August 1941  British PM Churchill meets with FDR  Stated no desire for territory and full support for rights of all peoples to choose their government

38. US Actions- Road to War  Lend-Lease Act  Isolationist feelings wavering as France fell to Germany  We’ll “loan” you weapons (replace cash and carry)  Oct. 1941- Germany sinks 2 ships killing about 100 Americans as we deliver weapons

39. US Actions- Road to War  Japan, General Tojo pursuing aggressive expansion in Asia  Tensions increased and US enacted some economic sanctions  Japan attacks Pearl Harbor  December 7, 1941  Over 2,300 Americans killed

40. Pearl Harbor  “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire of Japan…No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.”

41. US Declares War  Allied Powers  US  Great Britain  France  Axis Powers  Japan  Germany  Italy

42.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIyvnrKl1Rk&fe ature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIyvnrKl1Rk&fe ature=related