Treaty of Versaillesand Germany

•Germany:

•Took Responsibility

•Gave up Territory

•Limited Military

•Assumed War Debt

Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party

(Nazi)

Hitler beliefs described in Mein Kampf (My Struggle)

• Germans are superior “Aryan race”• Destined to rule the world and the inferior races

within it.• Germany’s economic problems were caused by

Jews• Germans needed more land to fill with the pure

race• Germany will be the Third Reich ( The other two

being Rome and The German Empire)

Fascism• System which usually has a dictator

who establishes strict social and economic controls usually by threat of force. Nationalistic in behavior

Once in Power Hitler:• Forced the army to take a loyalty oath • Outlawed political opposition• Censured Media• Hitler employed many Germans

building the military, highways, sports arenas, and schools.

Nuremberg Laws (1935)

• Deprived Jews of citizenship• Banned marriages between Jews and Non-Jews• Jews had to register and wear yellow stars

Reasons Hitler wanted to build up the military

• Stimulate the economy• Increase national pride• Allow Germany to

expand (“elbow room”)• Be able to defend itself

against Russia

Mussolini’s Goals

• Build Military to stimulate economy and patriotism

• Unite Italy to spread a new Roman Empire

• Replace democracy with fascism.

Japan’s Goals

• Gain land for population (65 million)

• Gain land for raw materials

• “Asia for Asians”• Invades China

• Quarantine Speech• FDR called for containing

fascism through economic embargoes

Once in Power Mussolini:

• Controlled elections• Outlawed opposition• Censured media• Mussolini employed

many Italians by building schools, roads, and industry

Neutrality Acts (1935-1937)

• Forbade selling weapons to aggressive nations

• Banned Americans from traveling on ships of warring countries

• Banned loans to nations at war

• Isolationism: The policy to avoid getting involved in any foreign problems. Concentrate on issues at home

The Munich Agreement

• British Prime Minister Chamberlain agrees that Hitler can occupy the Sudetenland as long as he promises to not touch the rest of Czechoslovakia or any other part of Europe

Appeasement • Making concessions

to preserve peace.

Nazi-Soviet Pact (Aug.

1939)• Germany and Russia

agree to divide Poland and not attack each other.

• Sept. 1939 Germany invades Poland

• Britain Declares War!

US Response to German invasion of Poland

• Cash and Carry Policy:

• Britain can buy weapons from the US only in cash.

• Britain had to transport them

The Axis Powers Expand!

• April 1940 Germany takes Denmark and Norway

• May 1940 Germany takes Holland, Belgium, and Luxemburg

• June 1940 Germany conquers France

• July 1940 The Battle of Britain Begins

Battle of Britain

• 1000 German planes a day

• 1500 fires in Dec. 1940 alone

• 30,000 killed• 120,000 injured• America debates

Neutrality

Lend Lease Act (Dec 1940)

• Allows for the transfer of military equipment to nations whose defense was considered vital to the defense of the US

• US ships will convoy materials as far as Iceland

Reasons for Lend Lease• Britain cannot stand by

itself• Good neighbor policy

Atlantic Charter (Aug. 1941)

• Meeting between FDR and Prime Minister Churchill where they agreed that after the war the US and Britain will:

• Not seek to gain territory

• Support the right of all people to choose their own government

Dec. 7 1941

• Pearl Harbor• “A day that will live in infamy”

8 Battle Ships and 10 other ships Sank or were badly damaged

188 Planes destroyed

2300 Americans Killed

Reason for Attack on Pearl Harbor

• Crushing US Naval and Air power in pacific would force the US into dealing with Japan to avoid war / invasion.

Result:

• Dec. 8 1941 US declares war on Japan

• Dec. 10 1941 Germany and Italy declare war on US