The Road to World War II

1. The Road to World War II

2. The World Stage • World economy is very weak, consistent with the American Depression. • Hawley-Smoot import tariff • Europe is largely reeling in the aftermath of World War I • Destroyed infrastructure • Mass casualties

3. The German Stage • The Treaty of Versailles (signed post WWI) blames Germany for all aggressions and hostilities in the war. • Germany needs to pay war reparations to allied powers. • This causes mass inflation in Germany. • The treaty calls for German disarmament. • Can only manufacture a certain number of war products each year. • The treaty forces Germany to recall its armies. • Give up territories to foreign countries.

4. The German Stage • GERMANY IS LEFT EXTREMELY WEAK AND VULNERABLE BY THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES. • In the 1920s, the National Socialist German Workers Party gains a lot of support after the members of the party are thrown into the prison, including Adolf Hitler. • The Nazi Party develops an ideology that directs hate towards Jews and aims to establish a totalitarian state. • Hitler becomes Chancellor in 1933.

5. The English Stage • England had gone through a recession following WWI, and the effects of the Depression were felt, yet less so. • Unemployment fell throughout the 1930s as the country began building up a potential war response as the Nazi party became organized.

6. The Spanish Stage • Spain, from 1936-1939, was embroiled in a civil war as a result of a power struggle between opposing government ideologies.

7. The Soviet Stage • The Soviet Union creates a stronghold on its citizens by a number of programs aimed to benefit the state. • Lenin was the first leader. • Stalin was its second, assuming power in 1924. He led Russia until the mid 1950s.

8. Russia Internally • Stalin’s can be ideologically classified as a “don’t stand in my way” leader. • Stalin eliminated rivals within Russia and his own party. • The gulag was a favorite method of political punishment. It was a “corrective forced labor camp” employed by the Soviets to house political prisoners and other offenders.

9. The Italian Stage • Under the self given title of “Il Duce,” Benito Mussolini rises to power in Italy in 1922. • Mussolini eliminates all political checks on his office as prime minister, making him directly accountable to only the King of Italy (a figurehead). • Mussolini creates, under a treaty, the Vatican.

10. Back to Germany • Hitler writes Mein Kampfwhich outlines his life and visions for better Germany. • Rises unchecked by the Reichstag (parliament) and is able to assume full control of the country’s government.

11. In fact

12. Document Discussion! • Consider the following as you review the Time Magazine article: • Time sometimes chooses villainous characters as its Person of the Year. Does the article seem to portray Hitler as such? Why or why not? • How does the article show other global leaders? • How did Hitler’s recovery programs in Germany compare to the New Deal? • Does the article paint Hitler as a man capable of continuing on his policies, or does it predict failure?

13. Europe Heats Up • The Treaty of Versailles, being largely the work of Woodrow Wilson, needed America’s support. • Because the Treaty was not approved in the Senate, the U.S. was not bound by the Treaty. • The League of Nations, Wilson’s dream for peace, could not operate. • Nations in the League began appeasing the rising dictatorial powers, knowing that crossing their paths could well lead to war.

14. The American Stage • The U.S. had stayed out of the affairs of Europe for years and had only pursued its own imperial interests. • Because of the Great Depression, Roosevelt wanted to focus on internal issues and avoid war in Europe. • In 1935, Congress passes the Neutrality Act of 1935, which stated that the United States would not provide wartime supplies to any powers engaged in war. American citizens travelling on ships of belligerent nations did so at their own risk.

15. More Neutrality Acts in the United States • 1936 – forbids trading wartime supplies with warring nations AND extension of loans to those nations. Conveniently excludes countries in civil war. • 1937 – Strictly forbids all trade with all belligerent nations, including those engaged in civil war, UNLESS they came to get their shipments themselves and paid in cash (“Cash and Carry”). • After events in Asia (Sino-Japanese aggression in Manchuria) in 1937, Roosevelt moves away from neutrality.

16. Back to Germany! • In 1938, the Anschluss occurs, in which Germany formally annexes Austria. • Seeing no resistance from western powers, Hitler turns his eye towards the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia that was home to many people of German ancestry. (Compare to Ukraine) • Appeasement from French and British leaders in the Munich Pact, which gave Germany control of the Sudetenland.

17. Homework Tonight! • Be ready for a document discussion tomorrow!!! • On October 5, 1937, Roosevelt delivers a speech called his “Quarantine the Aggressor” speech, in which he seems to want America to become more involved in supplying the war efforts of belligerent nations. Or does he? Historians discuss this speech, and you will too, tomorrow morning! • Happy Reading! 

18. Tuesday 4/29

19. Turning to the Far East • Japan saw a prosperous 1920s decade under civilian rulers. (Note that at this time, Japan has converted to a constitutional monarchy, but there is still an Emperor.) • When the global depression hits, military leaders take control and set Japan on a course of conquest for empire.

20. The Asian Stage • Japan pushed north through the Korean peninsula into Manchuria, then controlled by China. In 1931, they gain control of the region. • Over the next 8 years, massive territorial gains that include the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing. • Japanese aggression leads to the “Rape of Nanjing” – 200,000 civilian casualties.

21. Roosevelt’s Speech • In 1939, Roosevelt gives his “Quarantine the Aggressors” speech (we have discussed it). • Aims to provide assistance to China to resist Japanese advances.

22. You Decide! • Many times in history, terms are assigned that exaggerate the actual happenings of an event. • Evaluate the events of Nanjing. • Complete the worksheet that accompanies these readings.

23. Communism vs. Fascism • Many expected a major confrontation between Hitler and Stalin because of their opposing political ideologies. • On August 23, 1939, the Nazi-Soviet Pact keeps Germany and the Soviet Union at peace.

24. Declarations of War • On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland. At this time, European powers have run out of cookies. • Appeasement can go on no longer since Poland is an ally to Great Britain and France. • Both countries declare war on Germany. • Italy was allied with Germany (Rome-Berlin Axis)

25. Homework Tonight • Read FDR’s speech about the “Day which will live in infamy.”