THE COMING OF WORLD WAR II 1935-1941
Rise of Totalitarian States Totalitarianism theory of government in which a single party or leader controls the economic, social and cultural lives of people. Some characteristics include: Strong, charismatic leaders State control of the economy Gov t control of media and propaganda Censorship and fear mongering
Rise of Totalitarian Leaders
The Soviet Union under Josef Stalin Joseph Stalin took over as head of the Communist Party in Soviet Union after Lenin s death. Stalin s cruelty His state-run, collectivized farms left nearly 10 million people to starve to death. Ordered the deaths or imprisonments of another million people suspected of party disloyalty. Became dictator of Soviet Union in 1922
Italy under Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy with the promise of recreating the old Roman Empire Known as Il Duce the leader Mussolini s Fascist Party promoted extreme nationalism and fought against socialism and communism. Fascism - a political system headed by a dictator in which the government controls business and labor and opposition is not permitted Became Prime Minister of Italy in 1922
Japan under Emperor Hirohito Japanese emperor Hirohito ruled Japan during a time of military expansion. Military took control of government. In the 1930s Japan began invading and conquering its neighbors: Korea, Taiwan and China. Became emperor in 1926
Germany under Adolf Hitler Germany was hit hard by the Treaty of Versailles and the worldwide depression Hitler became leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (more commonly known as Nazi ) during this crisis Hitler worked his way up through the German government and eventually gained total control. His book Mein Kampf (means My Struggle ) blamed Communists and Jews for the problems of the German people. Became Chancellor of Germany in 1933
Battle Lines are Drawn Axis Powers Germany, Italy, Japan Allied Powers Britain, France, Soviet Union, United States (after 1941)
WAR CLOUDS GATHER Germany is left in complete ruin (physically and economically) after World War I Dawes Plan attempt to revive German economy. US loans Germany money to pay reparations to Britain and France (who in turn can pay back their loans from US) Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930) Limited European attempts to sell their goods in US Washington Disarmament Conference (1921) World leaders agree to disarm, open free trade, and provide for collective security Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) Nations renounce using war as a tool of foreign policy
WAR CLOUDS GATHER As Hitler gains more power in Europe, world leaders wrestle with how to handle a growing crisis Munich Pact British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signs a peace agreement with Hitler giving Germany rights to parts of Czechoslovakia. Begins a policy of appeasement Appeasement allowing things to happen (whether you agree or not) in order to maintain peace Nazi-Soviet Pact peace agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union promising to respect established borders Germany and her allies begin aggressive moves to expand their borders
The Opening Moves 1930 s: Germany annexes several neighboring countries Italy invades Ethiopia Japan invades Manchuria (in China) League of Nations was powerless to stop the invasions of the Axis Powers without the US
World War II Begins September 1939 Germany invades Poland Hitler orders a blitzkrieg into Poland Blitzkrieg Lightning War / an intense and swift military campaign intended to bring about a quick victory German military invades Poland with a show of force that included bombing raids, tanks, and foot soldiers with such speed that the Polish Army cannot mount a resistance Britain and France (allies with Poland) respond by declaring war on Germany May 1940 Germany invades France Hitler has now conquered most of Europe and seems unstoppable Hitler s next target is Britain
The United States Reacts The United States was not eager to get involved in another World War after losing more than 116,000 US soldiers in World War I. Neutrality Acts passed by Congress prevented American entanglement in World War II. 1935 banned sales of arms to warring nations 1936 banned loans to warring nations 1937 made the Acts of 35 & 36 permanent
The United States Reacts Cash & Carry Policy (1939) Allowed US to trade with Allied Powers but not offer loans Restricted US transport of products to Europe FDR felt that economic support of the Allies was the only way to stop Hitler s rampage through Europe At FDR s urging Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 Lend-Lease Act allowed FDR to sell or lend war supplies to any country whose defense he considered vital to the safety of the United States
US Neutrality Ends US-Japanese relations had been strained; the US presence in Philippines and Guam threatened Japanese conquest of Pacific US had placed oil, iron, and fuel sanctions on Japan Japan has signed the Tripartite Pact declaring alliance with Germany and Italy Fearing that it was only a matter of time before the US got involved in the war Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo (right) wanted to stop the chances of the US getting involved in the Pacific Tojo planned a single air strike designed to completely cripple the US Navy s Pacific Fleet The target was the home station of the US Fleet; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
US Neutrality Ends Sunday, December 7, 1941 Japanese aircraft launch an all out attack on the Naval and Air Bases at Pearl Harbor 2,500 Americans killed USS Arizona (right) remains submerged as memorial to the fallen. December 8, 1941 FDR asks Congress to declare war on Japan December 11, 1941 Germany & Italy declare war on the US
TICKET OUT THE DOOR In three well written paragraphs compare and contrast the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Why was the US attacked? What events followed?