World War II 24-1 Open books to page 800 1 Two “theaters” of war Europe (main aggressor: Nazi Germany) Pacific (main aggressor: Japan) US Isolationism (1918-1938) The experience of WWI caused Americans to retreat from foreign involvement 1928: Kellogg-Briand Pact: rejects war as a way to solve international disputes Problem: No way to enforce it US Isolationism (1918-1938) Isolationist feelings surged during the Great Depression Many Americans even thought involvement in WWI was a mistake US Isolationism (1918-1938) 1935-1937: Neutrality Acts: Bans sales of weapons by the U.S. to countries at war US ships cannot be armed or enter war zones Americans may not travel on ships from warring nations 5 US Isolationism (1918-1938) Isolationist feelings faded, though, as dictators came to power in Japan, Italy, & Germany (and the USSR) Did WWI lead to WWII? I. Rise of Dictators A. Soviet Union (USSR) Ruled by a dictator by 1929: Josef Stalin Stalin created a totalitarian state, where a single political party (communists) control all aspects of life. Criticism of the gov’t would lead to harsh punishment and death Stalin B. Italy Dictator: Benito Mussolini (“IL DUCE”) Wanted revenge for injustices Italians suffered due to the Versailles Treaty Mussolini led the Fascist Party Based on militarism, nationalism, and blind loyalty to the leader Established complete control over all aspects of life B. Italy (continued) Believed Italians were superior nation and had a right to conquer others Invaded Ethiopia (1935) to start building an empire Mussolini C. Germany By 1921, Adolf Hitler becomes the leader of the National Socialist Party (NAZI) Nazism is similar to fascism Racism is at the core of Nazism, too Germans are the master race Jews are the most inferior race (antisemitism: hatred of Jews) 13 D. Japan Emperor Hirohito; Prime Minister Tojo A depression led people to turn away from the democratic government Early 1930s: military rulers took control of the gov’t GOAL: Expansion into Asia for: Raw materials and resources Easing overcrowding in Japan Racism was preached here, too: Japanese were the superior race Hirohito 15 WWII Leaders Video clip on leaders (10 min) II. Military Aggression Warlike acts by one country against another 17 A. Japan Attacks China 1931: Seizes Manchuria (Northeast China) Civilian population was brutalized (Used torture, and quarter of a million were eventually killed) League of Nations takes no action B. Italy Invades Ethiopia- 1935 Ethiopia’s emperor, Haile Selassie, appealed to the League of Nations The League responded weakly C. German Aggression:1936 Hitler militarizes the the Rhineland (French-German border); occupies and builds bunkers Rome-Berlin Axis formed: this is an alliance between Italy and Germany 20 1938 Annexation of Austria by Germany (takeover) Austrian people welcome Hitler Hitler makes claims on the Sudetenland (western Czechoslovakia). He says it’s Germans living there and it should be part of Germany 21 22 23 1938 : Munich Conference/ Munich Pact Hitler meets with British and French leadership, led by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. DECISION: Hitler can keep Sudetenland if he promises to seek no more territory in Europe This decision is appeasement: giving in to keep the peace 1939 Hitler seizes the rest of Czechoslovakia, violating the Munich Pact 27 Operation Sea Lion Sea Lion was code name for Hitler’s plan to defeat Britain Hermann Goering: Commander of the Luftwaffe (German air force) RAF: Britain’s Royal Air Force It was a plan that was never carried out. What if? - end at ad - 7:00 What was Hitler’s strategy in Operation Sea Lion? 1 - Air supremacy over Britain (crush the RAF) 2 - Invade Britain What 3 advantages of the RAF? 1 - RAF were fighting over their own land / could get fuel 2 - British pilots were back in the air after being shot down / Germans were POWs 3 - RADAR - could see where the Lufwaffe was and direct forces (took away element of surprise from the Germans) Why was Sept.7, 1940 important? British: issued an invasion warning Germans: changed tactics, now began bombing cities (civilians) What was the British response? Morale was strong; determined not to give in What was the outcome of Sea Lion? Invasion of Britain postponed; HITLER’S FIRST MAJOR DEFEAT!!! Hitler’s Early Life: Born in Austria, 1889 In his early school years, Hitler did well in school and showed leadership qualities In HS, Hitler was not as successful. He showed an interest in German history and art. Hitler’s Early Life: At 18, Hitler moved to Vienna (using money he inherited after his father’s death 5 yrs. earlier) to study art Hitler’s application to art school was rejected - he was humiliated and never admitted this to his mom Hitler’s Early Life: WWI provided Hitler with a fresh start: he joined the German army and was excited to prove their superiority Many of his fellow soldiers viewed him as odd - he had outbursts criticizing Jews Hitler’s Early Life: Awarded the Iron Cross for his courage as a dispatch runner Never achieved a high rank (due to strange behavior and lack of leadership abilities) Was blinded in a gas attack; heard about the Treaty of V while in the hospital Angry and depressed - decided to go into politics to get revenge 35 Hitler After WWI: In 1919, Hitler joined the Nazi Party (becomes party leader in 1921) At this same time, a democracy was put in power (during the 1920s): The Weimar Republic 36 Hitler After WWI: In 1923, Hitler tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic; he failed and was put in prison. At this time, he wrote his book: Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Mein Kampf: My Struggle Details Hitler’s youth, beliefs, and his plans for the future Mein Kampf: My Struggle The Aryan race (blond, blue eyed northern Europeans) is the master race 2. The Aryan race must dominate the inferior races, for their own good 3. The most bitter enemy of Germany and the Aryan race was the Jew (the most inferior race) Repulsive, maggots, eternal blood suckers, monsters, the source of all the world’s problems 39 4. Germans need lebensraum, or living space, and this would be achieved through the expansion of the German empire Starting with Eastern Europe, Russia, and France Eventually, Germany would rule the world for 1000 years Hitler’s Rise to Power: During the 20s, the Nazis gained seats in the Reichstag (the legislature of the Weimar Republic) By 1933, the Nazis were the majority party in the legislature, and Hitler is appointed chancellor of Germany Hitler’s Rise to Power: When Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933, he works to pass laws dissolving Germany’s democratic gov’t He makes himself dictator: Fuhrer The Third Reich (Hitler’s Nazi Germany) is established Period of Nazification in Germany: 1934-39 Purpose: to rebuild German power Broke every part of the Versailles Treaty 43 Steps to Nazification: Extreme censorship and control of all aspects of life Crush opposition of the gov’t with the Gestapo (secret police) Persecution of the Jewish population 44 Steps to Nazification: 4. Preparations for war: Increase the size of the army Build large war ships and u-boats Train air force pilots and design planes At first, these actions were done secretly. However, there was little reaction from other countries when Hitler admitted to these actions 45 46 47 48 III. - B. Good Neighbor Policy 1930 Hoover rejects Roosevelt Corollary - no longer have right to interfere in affairs of Latin America. Roosevelt institutes Good Neighbor Policy which withdraws troops from Nicaragua and Haiti and cancels Platt Amendment IV. War Begins in Europe A. Invasion of Poland: Sept. 1, 1939 Nazi Soviet Pact signed Agreement between Germany and the USSR stating they would not attack each other Germany would be allowed to conquer Poland, which it would share later with the USSR Hitler launches an attack on Poland: BLITZKREIG (lightning war) Poland surrenders to Germany USSR seizes eastern Poland Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later: WWII BEGINS 52 1939 As war is declared there are 2 sides: Allies: Britain and France Axis: Germany, Italy, (USSR) 54 1940 Hitler quickly conquers Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg… and France!! 55 B. Fall of France: June, 1940 Allied forces were driven into the sea at Dunkirk Nazis enter Paris; France surrenders shortly afterward Germany attacks British colonies in North Africa Churchill takes over as Prime Minister in Britain C. June, 1940: Battle of Britain Britain now stands alone against the Nazis Hitler offers terms of surrender to Britain; they refuse Britain is attacked by the German air force throughout the summer and into fall 57 Britain withstands the attacks Hitler’s first major defeat He decides to use U-boats to blockade and try to starve them. 59 61 D. Invasion of the Soviet Union:1941 After Hitler’s defeat in Britain, he decides to break his Pact with Stalin He turns his attention to the USSR, and Operation Barbarossa (name of plan to defeat the USSR) First, Hitler invades Eastern Europe and Greece Invasion of USSR begins in June, 1941; Soviets are caught by surprise