WORLD WAR IIWORLD WAR II

KELLOG-BRIAND KELLOG-BRIAND PACTPACT

• 1928: U.S. Secretary of state Frank B. Kellog and French foreign minister Aristide Briand sign the Kellog-Briand pact, making war illegal.

JAPAN AND THE LEAGUE OF JAPAN AND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONSNATIONS

• 1930: Osachi Hamaguchi, the liberal prime minister of Japan is assassinated. A group of military leaders siezed power.

• 1931: Japanese soldiers stage a fake attack on a railway near Mudken (Manchuria). The Japanese blame the attack on China.

• The League of Nations condemned Japan for the attack and Japan responded by leaving the League of Nations.

• The League of Nations was not willing to take The League of Nations was not willing to take action against Japan; They did not protect action against Japan; They did not protect China.China.

• Japan announced its intentions of spreading Japan announced its intentions of spreading throughout East Asia and the western throughout East Asia and the western Pacific.Pacific.

• 1937: The Japanese gained control of 1937: The Japanese gained control of Beijing.Beijing.

• 1939: Japanese controlled ¼ of all China.1939: Japanese controlled ¼ of all China.

MUSSOLINI’S ITALYMUSSOLINI’S ITALY

• Mussolini’s fascist government began in Mussolini’s fascist government began in 1922. Mussolini worked hard to improve the 1922. Mussolini worked hard to improve the economy of Italy and set his sight on taking economy of Italy and set his sight on taking over Ethiopia. (why Ethiopia?)over Ethiopia. (why Ethiopia?)

• Ethiopia called on the League of Nations for Ethiopia called on the League of Nations for help. The League had no military of its own help. The League had no military of its own and Ethiopia was declared part of the Italian and Ethiopia was declared part of the Italian Empire during the spring of 1936.Empire during the spring of 1936.

• None of the major powers were willing to None of the major powers were willing to apply the economic sanctions the League apply the economic sanctions the League imposed on Italy as punishment for the imposed on Italy as punishment for the aggresion against Ethiopia. (why?)aggresion against Ethiopia. (why?)

FRANCO’S SPAIN • 1923: Rebels create a 1923: Rebels create a

military dictatorship.military dictatorship.• 1931: The dictatorship 1931: The dictatorship

collapsed when the army collapsed when the army withdrew its support. The withdrew its support. The new leaders created the new leaders created the Second Spanish Second Spanish Republic.Republic.

• The Second Spanish The Second Spanish Republic took away a lot Republic took away a lot of the power held by the of the power held by the nobles and the Catholic nobles and the Catholic Church.Church.

• The conservatives The conservatives supported a fierce fascist supported a fierce fascist party called La Falange.party called La Falange.

• The Frente Popular (popular front) won the 1936 elections.

• The Falangists rose and the Spanish Civil War began.

• Germany and Italy provided great military aid to Franco. Russia supported the Republic. The US, Great Britain and France also sent aid to the defenders of the Republic.

• 1939: General Francisco Franco defeats the international Brigades and becomes the Fascist leader of Spain.

HITLER’S GERMANYHITLER’S GERMANY

• The Weimar Republic signed the Treaty of Versailles, The Weimar Republic signed the Treaty of Versailles, angering the German people.angering the German people.

• Adolf Hitler rises to power through the use of ‘The Big Adolf Hitler rises to power through the use of ‘The Big Lie’. Hitler begins as a member of the Beer Hall Putsch Lie’. Hitler begins as a member of the Beer Hall Putsch rebellion in Munich.rebellion in Munich.

• The National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi) is The National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi) is anti-semitic, anti-communist and extremely nationalistic.anti-semitic, anti-communist and extremely nationalistic.

• 1932: 1932: The Nazi party wins 230 seats in the Reichstag. The Nazi party wins 230 seats in the Reichstag. By the end of the year they handled most of the seats in By the end of the year they handled most of the seats in the Reichstag.the Reichstag.

• Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor in January, 1933.Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor in January, 1933.• After the Reichstag is mysteriously set on fire, Hitler After the Reichstag is mysteriously set on fire, Hitler

blames the communists for the attack and gains ‘special blames the communists for the attack and gains ‘special powers’powers’

• 19331933: Adolf Hitler announces his intention to arm : Adolf Hitler announces his intention to arm Germany and removed Germany of the league of Germany and removed Germany of the league of nations.nations.

• March 1936March 1936: Hitler marches into the Rhineland.: Hitler marches into the Rhineland.• October 1936October 1936: The Berlin-Rome Axis is formed.: The Berlin-Rome Axis is formed.• Japan and Germany sign the anti-comitern pact. Italy Japan and Germany sign the anti-comitern pact. Italy

would later sign this pact. would later sign this pact. • 1938: Austria is annexed by admission of Nazi officials in 1938: Austria is annexed by admission of Nazi officials in

its cabinet.its cabinet.• The Austrian chancellor had agreed a union with The Austrian chancellor had agreed a union with

Germany, but decided to back down –Germany took Germany, but decided to back down –Germany took over by force as a response.over by force as a response.

• Having Austria not only meant greater power and control Having Austria not only meant greater power and control of Central Europe, but it also meant having geographical of Central Europe, but it also meant having geographical proximity to Italy.proximity to Italy.

• Czechoslovakia was Hitler’s next target.Czechoslovakia was Hitler’s next target.• Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland region (the outer rim) was Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland region (the outer rim) was

populated by a German majority who wanted to be populated by a German majority who wanted to be annexed to the German nation.annexed to the German nation.

• Czechoslovakia’s branch of the Nazi party performed Czechoslovakia’s branch of the Nazi party performed violent riots which resulted in the country declaring violent riots which resulted in the country declaring martial law.martial law.

• Hitler used this as an excuse to invade Czechoslovakia.Hitler used this as an excuse to invade Czechoslovakia.

• September 29, 1938September 29, 1938: The Munich Conference takes place. : The Munich Conference takes place. Hitler meets Neville Chamberlain (G.B. Prime Minister) and Hitler meets Neville Chamberlain (G.B. Prime Minister) and Edouard Daladier (France. Premier); Mussolini is present.Edouard Daladier (France. Premier); Mussolini is present.

• Chamberlain and Daladier accept Hitler’s demand for the Chamberlain and Daladier accept Hitler’s demand for the Sudetenland.Sudetenland.

• Nations avoided conflict and abandoned Czechoslovakia at Nations avoided conflict and abandoned Czechoslovakia at the mercy of Adolf Hitler’s army.the mercy of Adolf Hitler’s army.

• March 1939March 1939: Hitler invades Czechoslovakia and wipes it off : Hitler invades Czechoslovakia and wipes it off the European Map.the European Map.

• Spring 1939Spring 1939: Germany invades Lithuania. Takes over Memel.: Germany invades Lithuania. Takes over Memel.

• April 1939April 1939: Italy invaded Albania.: Italy invaded Albania.

• The league of Nations did nothing.The league of Nations did nothing.

PREPARING FOR WARPREPARING FOR WAR

• The invasion of Czechoslovakia sent a The invasion of Czechoslovakia sent a message that the rest of Europe could no message that the rest of Europe could no longer ignore.longer ignore.

• Chamberlain issued orders to accelarate Chamberlain issued orders to accelarate militarization of England and had a drafting militarization of England and had a drafting order quickly passed by parliament.order quickly passed by parliament.

• Great Britain and France agreed to join Great Britain and France agreed to join forces in protecting Poland, which was a forces in protecting Poland, which was a likely target for the Rome-Berlin Axis.likely target for the Rome-Berlin Axis.

STALIN’S RUSSIA• France and Great Britain seeked the help

of the Soviet Union. Russian leaders did not trust western nations. The Soviet Union had not been involved in any of the major decisions of the League of Nations.

• The Soviets required that their deal with France and Great Britain guaranteed the independence of Poland, Finland and the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. The Soviet union seeked military alliances with these nations.

• Baltic states rejected the idea. It gave right of passage to Soviet Armies.

• This dispute made the alliance with Russia very slow.

• August 1939: Stalin had been simultaneously dealing with France and Great Britan, as well as with the axis. Stalin and Hitler sign the German-Soviet nonaggression pact.

• Both Germany and The Soviet Union had secretly divided Europe. Germany was to keep Western Poland. Russia would keep easter Polad and the Baltic countries.

• Danzig: HitlerDanzig: Hitler wanted control of the port city of Danzig wanted control of the port city of Danzig (Gdansk). Danzig was ‘protected’ by the League of Nations.(Gdansk). Danzig was ‘protected’ by the League of Nations.

• Both Germany and Poland shared the right to use the port.Both Germany and Poland shared the right to use the port.

• The strip of land that provided access to the port once The strip of land that provided access to the port once belonged to Prussia.belonged to Prussia.

• This land was given to Poland during the Treaty of Versailles, This land was given to Poland during the Treaty of Versailles, in order to provide Poland with a access port to the baltic.in order to provide Poland with a access port to the baltic.

• By 1937 the Nazi party in the city of Danzig, which had a large By 1937 the Nazi party in the city of Danzig, which had a large German population. German population.

• September 1, 1939September 1, 1939. Hitler declares Danzig part of the . Hitler declares Danzig part of the German Reich and, simultaneously, attacks Poland.German Reich and, simultaneously, attacks Poland.

• France and Great Britain stand by their promise.France and Great Britain stand by their promise.

• World War II begins.World War II begins.

The BlitzkriegThe Blitzkrieg• The Blitzkrieg was the new attack tactic. It consisted of a quick The Blitzkrieg was the new attack tactic. It consisted of a quick

and strong strike. Poland surrendered after a month.and strong strike. Poland surrendered after a month.

• The lack of action on the western front made people believe the The lack of action on the western front made people believe the dillusion that the war was a ‘phony war’.dillusion that the war was a ‘phony war’.

• The Soviets at this point decided to honor the Soviet-German The Soviets at this point decided to honor the Soviet-German agreement, and attacked East Poland. Once again, Poland agreement, and attacked East Poland. Once again, Poland disappeared from the map.disappeared from the map.

• The Soviets invaded Finland and were expelled from the The Soviets invaded Finland and were expelled from the League of Nations.League of Nations.

• Norway and Denmark fall due to the aid of collaborators like Norway and Denmark fall due to the aid of collaborators like Vidkun Quisling.Vidkun Quisling.

• With this Hitler gained access to the atlantic ocean and had a With this Hitler gained access to the atlantic ocean and had a perfect place to keep submarines.perfect place to keep submarines.

WINSTON CHURCHILLWINSTON CHURCHILL

• May 1940, Winston Churchill replaces May 1940, Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. Churchill was one of the few politicians Churchill was one of the few politicians who opposed the appeasement.who opposed the appeasement.

• May 10, 1940: The German army invades the low May 10, 1940: The German army invades the low countries: Luxenbourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. By countries: Luxenbourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. By the end of May all three countries surrendered.the end of May all three countries surrendered.

• Dunkerque (Dunkirk): Invasion at the Netherland-France Dunkerque (Dunkirk): Invasion at the Netherland-France border.border.

• June 1940: Germany attacks France. Italy declares war June 1940: Germany attacks France. Italy declares war on France as well. The French fight an impossible battle on France as well. The French fight an impossible battle and lose.and lose.

• Philip Petain takes dictatorship over France and Philip Petain takes dictatorship over France and surrenders to Hitler.surrenders to Hitler.

THE ATLANTIC CHARTERTHE ATLANTIC CHARTER• August 1941: President Roosevelt and Prime August 1941: President Roosevelt and Prime

Minister Churchill meet a draft the Atlantic Minister Churchill meet a draft the Atlantic charter, which states that the US and GB:charter, which states that the US and GB:

• Do not seek territorial gain.Do not seek territorial gain.• Would not allow territorial change without Would not allow territorial change without

the approval of the people involved.the approval of the people involved.• Respected the rights of people to choose Respected the rights of people to choose

their own governments.their own governments.• All nations have equal rights to trade and All nations have equal rights to trade and

raw materials.raw materials.• Wanted nations to cooperate to ensure a Wanted nations to cooperate to ensure a

decent economic welfare.decent economic welfare.• Believed all people have the right to security Believed all people have the right to security

from want and fear.from want and fear.• Freedom of the seas should be guaranteed.Freedom of the seas should be guaranteed.• Creation of an international organizationCreation of an international organization

UPDATE• By the fall of 1940, Germany had all of Western

Europe under it’s control.• Italy and Germany controlled the western

mediterranea coastline.• Great Britain had Gibraltar (southern coast of Spain);

Malta, Cyprus and Alexandria (Egypt).• The Allies have victories in the Balkans and also

managed to drive Rommel’s forces back to Tunisia; The British defeated Italy in Greece.

• The Germans also had victories in the Balkans, particularly near Russia. It was clear for Stalin that Hitler had intentions there.

• Japan captures islands of the coast of French Japan captures islands of the coast of French Indochina. (blocking the British route between Hong Indochina. (blocking the British route between Hong Kong and Singapore).Kong and Singapore).

• Japanese forced France to give control of the French Japanese forced France to give control of the French Indochina.Indochina.

• The U.S. protested, sent aid to Chinese nationalists The U.S. protested, sent aid to Chinese nationalists and set punitive taxesin oil and iron.and set punitive taxesin oil and iron.

• Only the Philippines and Hawaii stood in the way of Only the Philippines and Hawaii stood in the way of Japan’s control.Japan’s control.

• December 7, 1941: Japanese launch a surprise December 7, 1941: Japanese launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.attack on Pearl Harbor.

• December 8, 1941, Both the US and Great Britain December 8, 1941, Both the US and Great Britain declare war on Japan.declare war on Japan.

Die EndlösungDie Endlösung und und Die Die JudenfrageJudenfrage

• The Final Solution is Hitler’s open The Final Solution is Hitler’s open strategy of the elimination of all Jewish strategy of the elimination of all Jewish people.people.

• This project was led by Hemrich This project was led by Hemrich Himmler, head of the Shutzstaffel (SS)Himmler, head of the Shutzstaffel (SS)

• By 1942, the Wannsee Conference By 1942, the Wannsee Conference made an official extermination plan.made an official extermination plan.

ALLIED COUNTERATTACKALLIED COUNTERATTACK

January, 1942: 26 Nations meet in Washington DC January, 1942: 26 Nations meet in Washington DC and agree to use all resources available to stop and agree to use all resources available to stop the Axis; Not sign separate treaties and follow the the Axis; Not sign separate treaties and follow the Atlantic charter.Atlantic charter.

Battle of Stalingrad:Battle of Stalingrad: Hitler’s army is stuck Hitler’s army is stuck fighting Russian armies. Six bloody months in whi fighting Russian armies. Six bloody months in whi Russians do not give up and force the Germans Russians do not give up and force the Germans back. A Soviet counterstrike would follow.back. A Soviet counterstrike would follow.

February 1943, German forces, trapped in February 1943, German forces, trapped in Stalingrad by the Soviets, surrender.Stalingrad by the Soviets, surrender.

1942: General Dwight Eisenhower and General 1942: General Dwight Eisenhower and General Bernard Montgomery trap Rommel’s forces in Bernard Montgomery trap Rommel’s forces in Africa. May 1943, axis forces surrender in Africa. Africa. May 1943, axis forces surrender in Africa. North Africa goes entirely to allied control.North Africa goes entirely to allied control.

• Summer 1943: Allied forces take Sicily, then Summer 1943: Allied forces take Sicily, then invaded the Italian mainland. Mussolini resigns. invaded the Italian mainland. Mussolini resigns. Pietro Badoglio rises as Prime Minister and Pietro Badoglio rises as Prime Minister and abolishes the fascist party.abolishes the fascist party.

• June 1943: The allies defeat the Japanese in the June 1943: The allies defeat the Japanese in the Battle of Midway.Battle of Midway.

• Operation Overlord is prepared and in June 6, Operation Overlord is prepared and in June 6, 1944, D-Day occurs: The Allies land in the shores 1944, D-Day occurs: The Allies land in the shores of Normandy (France).of Normandy (France).

• August 25, 1944: Allies enter Paris.August 25, 1944: Allies enter Paris.• Soviets intensified the counterattack and took Soviets intensified the counterattack and took

Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Romania and Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria.Bulgaria.

• Spring 1945: German defenses finally crumble.Spring 1945: German defenses finally crumble.