Turmoil & Tragedy: 1933-1945

1. Turmoil & Tragedy:1933-1945 Attack on Pearl Harbour: Dec. 7, 1941

2. Causes of WWII: Treaty of Versailles Great Depression –Germany and Japan driven to radical political solutions to solve economic struggles Failure of Collective Security (League of Nations)

3. Causes of WWII in the Pacific: Japan in Depression: • International trade reduced by 2/3rds • Factories closed • Attempt out through Asian Keynesian economics • War of Conquest = Manchuria 1931 • Invade mainland China 1937

4. U.S.A.’s Reaction to Japanese Aggression: • Froze Japanese assets in America in July 1941 • October 1941 cut off Japan’s oil supply • Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech following attack on Pearl Harbour Dec.8, 1941 • USA & Britain declare war on Japan Germany = Declares war on USA

5. Causes of WWII in Europe: Nazi Foreign Policies • Cancelled reparations • Increases armed forces • Formed Luftwaffe • Announced compulsory military service • Reoccupied Rhineland with military

6. Nazi Domestic Policy: United all German peoples with the fatherland: • Austria • Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia • Part of Western Poland (Polish Corridor) • East Prussia

9. Appeasement: “Approach to foreign relations which attempts to maintain peace by making concessions to the aggressor so as to prevent the aggressor from going to war”

10. Mr. Pitre’s version:

11. Why Appeasement? • Fear of another World War • From British point of view a stronger Germany was good for trade purposes • Greater fear of Communism than of Hitler

12. Rhineland Crisis: • Hitler’s army occupies demilitarized Rhineland (supposed to remain a buffer) March 1936 • Hitler blames Franco-Soviet Pact • Also claims it breaks Locarno Pact of 1919 • Rest of Europe more concerned with Mussolini and invasion of Ethiopia • Hitler offers 25 years peace • Offers demilitarized zone on either side of Rhineland

14. Reaction to Rhineland Crisis: • French retaliation draws no support from British • French complain to League of Nations • British appease Hitler’s aggression • Appeasement becomes accepted policy

15. Kurt Alois Josef Johann Edler von Schuschnigg Chancellor of the First Austrian Republic, following the assassination of his predecessor, Dr. Engelbert Dollfuss, in July 1934, until Germany’s invasion of Austria

16. Anschluss Crisis:(“Link-up”) 1.Versailles and St.Germain forbade unification of Germany & Austria 2. 1936 Hitler signs the Austro-German Treaty which declares Austria a German state (culturally) and Hitler promises an independent Austria 3. Schuschnigg forced to agree to Hitler’s demand of increased Nazi control in Austria

17. Annexation: Schuschnigg calls a plebiscite to question Austrian independence Hitler angered, forces Sch. to resign, Hitler’s man Seyss-Inquart replaces Schuschnigg Goering makes S-I request the German gov. to restore law and order in Austria March 1938 Austrian sovereignty abolished Another “plebiscite” called = 99.75% approve of proceedings 

18. A British cartoon of 1938 shows Germany crushing Austria. Next in line is Czechoslovakia. At the back, Britain says to France, who is next-to-last: ‘Why should we take a stand about someone pushing someone else when it’s all so far away?’  

19. British Reaction • The British government protested strongly (Churchill). • The many reasons behind the policy of appeasement, however, prevented them from taking stronger action.

20. British Reaction • Nevertheless, it also seemed that: Austria was too far away from Britain and too close to Germany for Britain to take effective action • The Austrian people generally welcomed the Anschluss and that it would be silly to defend their independence against their own wishes

21. Italian reaction • Little Mussolini could do • Germany was far too strong and had widespread support inside Austria • Hitler did not clear ‘invasion’ plan with Italy • However Mussolini sent Hitler a message ‘Austria did not interest him at all’ • Hitler was relieved

22. Czechoslovakia reaction • Could not do anything • Now in a dangerous position surrounded on 3 sides • Hitler sent message to assure Czechoslovakia that they had nothing to worry about • They did not believe Hitler

23. French reaction • Changing governments again • Not in a position to react • Although in agreement with the international community that nothing could or should be done!!

24. Significance of the Anschluss • Austria no longer existed • 7 million people added to Germany • Gave Hitler common border with Italy • Gave Hitler control of Austria’s iron, steel, & engineering industries (for armaments) • Austria provided a springboard for any potential invasion of South-eastern Europe if Hitler so decided (Czechoslovakia)

25. Next Target: Czechoslovakia Opposition: Benes (PM) saw Hitler as aggressor Why? It held 3.5 million ethnic Germans Sudeten's become excited

27. Munich Crisis 1938: • Benes surprisingly offers Sudeten’s everything they wanted • They only want annexation • At Berchtesgaden Hitler and Chamberlain (British PM) meet = appeasement • Benes resists • French and British panic fearing a war would breakout

28. Munich Conference/Pact: • Mussolini enters, proposes conference (4 nations) • Hitler agrees to delay his occupation • French and British hope that they can pressure Benes • Benes resigns, replaced by Emil Hacha

29. End of Czechoslovakia: • Nazis agitate other ethnic groups • 1939 Slovak state grows turbulent • Czech. gov. Dismisses local Slovak gov. • Hitler sides with Slovaks& troops assist • March 15,1939 Hacha signs away Czech. independence for fear of invasion, becomes a German protectorate (under control)

30. Results of Rhineland, Anschluss, Czechoslovakia Crisis • Hitler loses all credibility • Anti-appeasement begins in Britain • Some rearmament begins • British look for support vs. Hitler

31. Poland: • April 1938 France and Britain give Romania and Bulgaria a guarantee of support • Stalin: Approaches the West with agreement that is ultimately rejected: • West suspicious of Stalin`s motives • Fearful of Red Army • West could not convince Poland to allow Russian troops into Poland

32. Nazi-Soviet Pact: • August 23, 1939 • Stalin gets nowhere with West so he signs with Hitler • Agree not to fight each other • Agree to divide Poland

33. War Declared: 1. Hitler tried to convince Britain and France that claims on Polish Corridor and Danzig were legitimate 2. September 1, 1939 – Hitler uses blitzkrieg against Poland 3. September 3, 1939 Britain and France declare war on Germany 4. Winston Churchill promoted to First Lord of the Admiralty as part of the War Cabinet