Intro to World War II“Prelude to Global War”

Significant Facts1. Total War: war fought not only by armed

forces at the battlefront but by civilians in factories and homes

2. Global War: was fought on all major seas and in Africa, Asia, and Europe- involved over 60 nations

3. Three Major Battle Areas1. Africa = North African Theater2. Asia = Pacific Theater3. Europe = European Theater

Sides..Who fought who?Axis Powers Allied Powers

ItalyGermanyJapan

France Great BritainSoviet Union (USSR)

Leaders1. Italy = Fascist Leader Benito Mussolini

(1922)2. Germany = Dictator Adolf Hitler (1933)3. Japan = Emperor Hirohito (1926)

1. General/Prime Minister Hideki Tojo (1936)

4. France = Charles de Gaulle5. Great Britain = Winston Churchill6. Soviet Union = Joseph Stalin (1924)7. U.S. = FDR (1932-1945) Harry Truman

(1945)

Axis Nations PhilosophyImperial Japan controlled by military looking

to expand empireFascist Italy led by Dictator Mussolini “return

to glory days”Nazi Germany led by Dictator Hitler

“superior mentality”

Early Axis Aggression (1930-1939)Withdrew from the League of NationsJoined together to form a military alliance =

AXIS POWERSEngaged in one act of aggression after

another without any oppositionViolated major international peace

agreements = Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations

Warm Up Question?What were the two sides for WWII?

Axis Powers Allied Powers

ItalyGermanyJapan

France Great BritainSoviet Union (USSR)

Focus QuestionsWhat were the general causes of WWII?What does it mean to call Hitler and

Mussolini Fascist and Stalin Communist?What 3 reasons allowed Mussolini to come to

power in Italy?What problems were facing Germany in the

1920s and 1930sWhat were Hitler’s goals in making Germany

a world power?

Basic Causes of WWII/ Axis Goals:MINT!1. Militarism:

1. Built up military: arms and techniques; psychologically prepared their people for war or would use military on their own people to maintain power

2. Imperialism1. Axis Nations claimed they were have-not nations

3. Nationalism:1. Axis nations claimed they were to become have nations

4. Totalitarianism:1. Totalitarian dictatorships scorned ideas of democracy 2. Types of leaders were about to come to power because of World

Depression (economic upheaval leads to political upheaval)3. Axis countries openly declared their intent to destroy

Democracy.

Comparing Two IdeologiesFascism Communism

Places the importance of the nation above the value of the individual

Allows private businessGovernment handles/

resolves conflicts

Whole society jointly owns means of production

No conflicts within society between workers and owners of the means of production

Individual rights and freedoms are lost as everyone works for the benefit of society and nation

Three reasons that allowed Mussolini to come to power:Felt Italy was shortchanged in peace

settlement after WWIBlackshirts- gangs of Fascist thugs who

terrorized and brought under control those who opposed Mussolini

World Depression- claimed that efficiency and order were necessary to restore nation’s greatness

Warm Up Question:What was the name for the thugs that helped

Mussolini receive total power by terrorizing opposing citizens?

Blackshirts

Mussolini begins expansion“The country is nothing without conquest”.October 1935, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Problems facing GermanyOutcome of WWI and treatyHigh unemployment and massive inflation

Hitler’s goalsStabilize the country Rebuild the economy Restore the lost empire

Hitler’s Goals Continued..“Mein Kampf” (My Struggle)

Book that outlines Hitler’s beliefs why Germany spiraled out of control Weakened by certain groups who lived within its borders Critical of Jewish population- blamed them for Germany’s

loss in WWI Wanted to strengthen military and expand Nations borders Purify the so-called Aryan “race” by removing the

undesirablesPopularity of Nazi party grewSoon largest Party in the Reichstag (German

Parliament)

Reichstag BurnsFebruary 27-

Nazis burn Reichstag to create crisis atmosphere.

February 28- Emergency Powers granted to Hitler

March 24, 1933 – Hitler Becomes DictatorGerman

Parliament Passes Enabling Act

Hitler becomes dictator of Germany

Begins pursuing aggressive anti-Jewish policies and expansionist foreign policies

Why did Britain and France use Appeasement?March 9th German troops entered the

RhinelandHuge gamble because Hitler’s army was not

even readyHad Britain and France threatened to attack,

Hitler later admitted, he would have withdrawn his forces

Axis powers made their alliance in 1936With this success, Hitler annexes (takes

control of) AurstriaBritain and France protest, but do not fight

Months later, Hitler demanded Sudentenland

Appeasement why..?September 1938- Britain, France, Germany, and Italy met

in Munich (German Capital)Appeasement- (Britain and France) gave into the

demands in order to maintain peace.Let Hitler have the Sudetenland

Churchill warned against, “They chose dishonor, they will have a war.”

March 1939 (only six months later) Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia

Hitler signs a treaty with the Soviet UnionThen invades Poland (September 1, 1939)Two days later, Britain and France declare war on Germany

Warm Up:What is appeasement and why did the Allies

agree to it? Did it work?Appeasement- (Britain and France) gave into

the demands in order to maintain peace.No, Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia and then

invaded Poland (1939)

Describe Germany’s strategy for overwhelming its enemies:Blitzkrieg- “lightning war”

Tanks, artillery, and soldiers, moving by truck instead of on foot, rapidly struck deep into enemy territory before the foe had time to react.

Using this, Germany overran Poland in less than a month

Sitzkrieg- “sit-down war”After Poland, sat back and watched French forces

along the Maginot line- line of defenses set up by the French to protect its border from further invasion

Received nickname as the “phony war”

Blitzkrieg continues:Hitler uses Blitzkrieg to overrun France, the

Netherlands, and Belgium“phony war” to real warGreat Britain was the only standing ally at

this point

Explain the significance of the Battle of Britain:Last standing allyHitler used the Luftwaffe-German air force

Launched the largest air assault the world has ever seen

1,000 planes a day rained bombs over EnglandBritish air force fought hard

By June 1941…30,000 British had been killed120,000 injured

America’s Response1938- Naval Buildup in the Pacific

Moved fleet from San Diego to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii

Wanted to remain neutral Spread of Isolationism

American First Committee- 800,000 members Questioned whether the sacrifice of WWI had any

affectCongress passes a series of neutrality acts

Neutrality Act of 1939- law allowed Britain and France to purchase weapons on a cash-and-carry basis

Involvement GrowsExchanged 50 yr old destroyers for territory

in Western hemisphereSelected Service Act- first peacetime draft

Small number of men chosen to serve one year in army

Lend-Lease Act of 1941Aid any nation at President’s discretion to help

national security