1. Inter-War Period (1918-1939) The Failed Recovery

2. Main Characteristics: Psychological depression, anxiety and resentment over World War I: Mass destruction betrayed human progress Failure of world peace: –Incompetent ending of WW I led to WWII Political boundaries drawn without consideration of ethnic composition (Crimea) Ignored problems in Asia (Japanese aggression) –Defeat of the Versailles Treaty –Weakening of the League of Nations

3. Japanese Aggression in Asia

4. Rape of Nanking

5. Main Characteristics Cont’d: Great Depression: –Crash of the world economy –Started in the U.S. –Directly contributed to WWII Rise of Fascism: –Angry, undemocratic, warlike nationalism –Reaction to the chaos following WWI –Europe: Hitler, Mussolini, Franco –Asia: Imperial Japan (different circumstances)

6. Normalcy (U.S. Isolationism) President Harding “Let’s get back to business as usual.”

7. Fascism Mussolini: Italy Hitler: Germany Franco: Spain Tojo: Japan

8. Hitler – Germany – Nazism – Hate ethnic minorities - conquer world starting with Europe Tojo – Japan – Unlike Nazism – Hate those who oppose you - conquer world starting with Asia Stalin – Russia – Communism – Conquer areas around Russia - create a dominant economic/political influence in world affairs Mussolini – Italy – Nazism – Hate ethnic minorities - support Hitler Franco – Spain – Friendly to Nazism – Hate those who get in your way - create a dominant economic/political influence in Europe RISE OF FACIST DICTATORS

9. Depression Failure of World Peace Fascism War Fatigue (WWI) U.S. Isolationism WORLD WAR II