World War II

1. World War II Mr. Williamson Somerville HS

2. Inter-War Period • Postwar Europe faces grave problems • Jobs for returning vets • Rebuilding war-ravaged lands • Economic problems – inflation, unemployment • Social unrest leading to radical new ideas (Russian Revolution) • Kellogg-Briand Pact – agreement to renounce war as an instrument of national policy • Pursued disarmament – reduction of armed forces/weapons • However, limits were not set resulting in weakness in the pact

3. Inter-War Period • League of Nations – outlawed war but no way to enforce the ban • 1931 – Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, no military action by the League • Ambitious dictators (Hitler, etc.) see this and begin their aggressive policies • Great Depression – Began in US, spread to the rest of the world • Falling demand, overproduction, speculation in the market • American banks stop making loans abroad, credit dries up, depression worsens

4. Inter-War Period • The State of Germany • Review – on the brink of chaos • Threat of socialist revolution, the Kaiser flees, Moderate leaders adopt the Versailles Treaty (war-guilt, reparations) • New Democratic government – Weimar Republic • Parliamentary system (Congress) led by a chancellor • Gave the women the right to vote, bill of rights • New Government faces significant problems at the start • Current leaders are under fire, enemies wanted radical changes like the ones Lenin brought to Russia • Longed for a strong ruler, blamed the Weimar Republic for the accepting the Treaty of Versailles • Looking for scapegoats, blame German Jews for economic/political problems

5. Inter-War Period • Inflation – rapid rise in prices linked to an increase in the money supply • 1923 – Germany falls behind in reparations payments • To support the workers during their strike, gov’t printed huge quantities of paper money to pay them • Inflation spiraled out of control, misery and despair increases • German currency almost worthless • Families could not keep up with skyrocketing prices • With help from Western Powers, inflation comes under control • Agreements to lower reparations, loans to help Germany recover

6. Inter-War Period • The Great Depression hits Germany • Turn to Hitler who promised to solve economic crisis, restore Germany’s greatness • Adolf Hitler – Born in Austria, moved to Germany, fought in WWI • After war, join a small group of extremists that HATED the Weimar Republic • Anti-Semitism – prejudice against Jewish people • Organized his supporters to fight against his political enemies • Would later be the unquestioned leader

7. Inter-War Period • 1923 – Hitler fails to seize power in Munich, arrested and found guilty of treason • In prison, authors Mein Kampf (My Struggle) – would later become the the basic book of Nazi goals/ideology • Extreme nationalism, racism • Superior “master race”, Aryans (light skinned Europeans) • Viewed Jewish people as a separate race, not a religion • Blamed Jewish people for Germany’s defeat in WWI • Urged Germans to unite, expand living area

8. Your Turn • Imagine you are a prospective leader in Germany • Compose a speech to be given to the German people about the conditions in Germany • Requirements • Discuss the failures of previous administrations, i.e. Weimar Republic, etc. • Discuss the immediate problems facing Germany (economics, social unrest, etc.) • Discuss your plan to fix the problems mentioned earlier in your speech • Feel free to utilize ideas and concepts from the video of Hitler seen before. • Due at the end of class! Good Luck!

9. From Appeasement to War • After World War I, European democracies are desperate to preserve peace during the 1930s • Germany/Italy/Japan are preparing to build new empires • Germany – violates the Treaty of Versailles • Rearms the German military, unites Austria-Germany (“Anschluss” or union), expands living space • Increased Hitler’s popularity because of his acts of defiance • Western European governments adopt a policy of APPEASEMENT • Giving into the demands of an aggressor in order to keep peace

10. From Appeasement to War • Italy – Mussolini’s Actions • 1935 – Italy invades Ethiopia, located in northeastern Africa • Ethiopians had outdated weapons, could not keep up with tanks, machine guns, etc. • Ethiopian King Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations for help • League had no military or enforcement power, Italy conquers in 1936

11. From Appeasement to War • Japan – led by military leaders, believed they needed new lands to create an empire • 1931 – Japan invades Manchuria, section of China (see map) • League of Nations criticizes their actions, Japan withdraws from the organization • Their aggression goes unchecked

12. Working to War • European Dictators Venn Diagram • Using the handout provided, complete the Venn Diagram using the text/readings completed from the prior 2 days. • Each section must have 5-6 items and have clear details from the resources utilized in class. • Use the remaining class time. If you do not finish, please complete for HW, due on Friday. • Any questions, please let me know and I can assist.

13. From Appeasement to War • Why did they appease Hitler and other aggressors? A few reasons… • Great Depression – US/European countries had significant economic problems to deal with • People are tired of war…think World War I • Faith in compromise, misread Hitler’s intentions • Germany, Italy, Japan – team up to form the Axis Powers • All agreed to not interfere with territorial expansion • Video clip please!

14. From Appeasement to War • Germany’s Final Demand – The Sudetenland • Area of Czechoslovakia with 3 million native Germans • Munich Conference, September 1938. • Main Players: • Germany – Adolf Hitler • France – Edouard Daladier • Great Britain – Neville Chamberlain • British/French cave into Hitler’s demands, persuade the Czechs to surrender the Sudetenland without a fight. • In exchange, Hitler promises Britain/France that he is done expanding…known as the MUNICH PACT - Video • Guess what happens next…?

15. Dictators turn to Aggression • Germany – Hitler restores Germany • Rebuilds economy/military in defiance of Versailles Treaty • Needed “Lebensraum”or living space for his people • Troops occupy the Rhineland/Saar regions from the French • Italy – Mussolini invades Ethiopia • Japan – attacks Manchuria (part of China) for its natural resources, railroad links/coastal areas

16. Dictators turn to Aggression Germany’s Aggression - Rhineland/Saar Region

17. Dictators turn to Aggression • League of Nations Response – NONE! • Had no real power/no military • Only as strong as its member nations (US is not a part) • Britain/France use a policy of appeasement • Granting concessions to a potential enemy in the hope it will maintain peace • Backfires/allows aggressive nations to continue their expansion • Why appeasement? • Memories of WWI • Threat of Soviet Union/communism (Stalin) • Domestic issues – Great Depression!

18. Dictators turn to Aggression • Hitler continues • Spring 1938 – brings Austria into his Reich or State • Creates a union called an “Anschluss” • Sets sights on Sudetenland, area of Czechoslovakia largely populated by Germans • Munich Conference • Meeting between Britain, France where they appeased Germany • British PM – Neville Chamberlain • French Premier – Edouard Daladier • Sacrificed Sudetenland to preserve the peace

19. From Appeasement to War • Neville Chamberlain/Adolf Hitler – Munich Pact/Sudetenland Map

20. Your Turn • You are the foreign relations adviser to Neville Chamberlain, British prime minister, at the Munich Conference. You have your suspicions regarding Hitler’s actions in Europe and disagree with Chamberlain’s policy of APPEASEMENT. • Utilizing the information provided, send a formal letter/memo to Chamberlain about your concerns. In two paragraphs, state the following: • 1. How appeasement can lead to war down the road • 2. Your alternative to appeasement, what policy/actions do you think will work best? BE SPECIFIC. • Due by the end of class…Good luck!

21. Axis Advances • Summer 1939 – Stalin negotiating with Hitler • Sign the Nazi/Soviet Non-Aggression Pact – agreement both sides would not attack each other • 9/1/39 – Nazi forces storm into Poland in the form of a “blitzkrieg” or “lightning war” (think blitz in football) • Utilized tank/airpower to devastate • The Luftwaffe (Air Force) bombed airfields, factories, and cities • As a result, Britain/France declare war on Germany

22. World War II • Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, Japan • Allied Powers – Britain, France • Germany continues “blitz” Europe, set eyes on France • Nazis conquer British/French troops, force them to flee back to Britain from port city of Dunkirk • Nazis now in control of France, conquer Paris • Germans take aim at Britain – Battle of Britain • Luftwaffe shower bombs over London for 57 nights in a row • London destroyed but did not break as the Royal Air Force (RAF) battled • Britain ultimately prevails and the setbacks for Hitler begin

25. World War II • After loss in Battle of Britain, Hitler breaks Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin, invades Soviet Union • However, German advance stalls. WINTER IN THE SOVIET UNION destroys Nazi Army • Stalin joins the side of the Allies • Japan’s Aggression Continues in the Pacific • US leaders ban sale of oil, war material, limits Japan’s ability to expand • Japan begins its preparation for war • General Hideki Tojo plans Pearl Harbor • Sunday, December 7th, 1941 • US declares war on Japan, joins the Allies

26. Pearl Harbor • With your partner, create 3 headlines on the attack of Pearl Harbor. • Remember as editors of a newspaper, your goal is to sell content. Brainstorm and settle on 3 and a vote will be conducted in class on the best 1. • 1. • 2. • 3.

27. Pearl Harbor • Lastly, select your best headline, have 1 person from your group write it neatly on the board. • Make sure you put both your names underneath and we will put to a class vote.

28. WWII Battles Timeline Project • Day 1 – What to do! • 1. COMMUNICATE: Determine who is doing what: • Minimum of 2 researchers • Minimum of 2 Layout designers • Research and select your 10 Battles (choose wisely) Reference your notes/textbook (pages listed in the project sheet), Create a UNIQUE TITLE • Include date, brief description (who’s involved/outcome) for each battle • Review YOUR TIMELINE DRAFT as a group, finalize and commence work on final draft • Everyone should be working toward the final product

29. WWII Battles Timeline Project • Day 2 – What to do! • 1. COMMUNICATE: Discuss as a group what needs to get done. • Confirm your research, ensure its accuracy and that it is well-written • Work on your visual, add title, use color, etc. • 2. Each entry should have date, brief description (who’s involved/outcome) for each battle • 3. Review YOUR TIMELINE RUBRIC as a group, finalize and prepare for submission (you will submit both timeline/rubric) • 4. Everyone should be working toward the final product. If you find yourself idle, please ask your teammates how you can help.

30. Allies Turn the Tide • To achieve “total war” once again, governments increased their political power • Directed economic resources to the war, RATIONING SUPPLIES, sale of war bonds, prices/wages were fixed • Allies won on four fronts – Pacific, North Africa/Italy, Soviet Union, France • D-Day Assault – Normandy, France • 156k Allied troops, advance to Paris, free France in two months • View “Saving Private Ryan”

31. Allies Turn the Tide • March 1945 – Allies cross into western Germany, Soviets move into eastern Germany • Mussolini executed before fleeing to Switzerland • Hitler commits suicide as Soviets enter Berlin • Germany surrenders, May 7, 1945 • Fight in the Pacific • Mid 1942 – Japan controls SE Asia and many Pacific Islands • Battle of Midway/Coral Sea, US now takes offensive • US uses island-hopping campaign to recapture Japanese held islands • Would use islands for airfields, ship supplies, rest soldiers, etc.

32. Allies Turn the Tide • Japanese demonstrate they would fight to the death • Kamikaze pilots – crash airplanes into American warships • Military leaders had to figure out, invasion or atomic weapon? • Manhattan Project – American scientists conduct research on atomic weapon • US President Truman’s Decision • Determined it would save American/Allied lives • Japanese ignore warnings, US drops two bombs, first on Hiroshima, second on Nagasaki

33. Exit Ticket – The Atomic Bomb • Your Turn • One of the most controversial turning points in history was the decision made by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to use atomic weapons on Japan, the lone remaining Axis Power at the conclusion of World War II. • In your opinion, was the decision to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a military NECESSITY? Provide at minimum of two reasons for your position. 3-4 sentence minimum.

34. Holocaust • Since 1933, Nazis denied Jews rights of citizenship (Nuremberg Laws) & committed acts of brutality (Kristallnacht) • Step toward Hitler’s “Final Solution” • Systematic extermination of all Jews living in the regions controlled by the Nazis • Hitler’s use of the “Concentration Camp” • Designed to turn them into useful members of the Nazi Party • Imprisoned political components, labor leaders and other undesirables (Gypsies, homosexuals, beggars, physically-mentally disabled)

35. Band of Brothers - Holocaust • Viewing of Band of Brothers – Holocaust Episode. • On index card provided, answer the following. • 1. Describe the landscape and the people in the concentration camp. Were the images that you saw what you expected? Explain your answer in 2 sentences. • 2. How did the prisoners treat American soldiers? What specifically did they do to illustrate their feelings?

36. Writing Challenge • Your Turn • Using the provided handout and notes from class, determine whether you would have used an atomic weapon to end the war with Japan. • In your essay, complete a 3 paragraph essay answering the following questions: • 1. Would you have used the bomb and why? Provide specific reasons on your decision. • 2. Would you have provided more time to the Japanese government to respond after the first bomb? Why or why not? Indicate your reasoning. • 3. What is an alternative to dropping an atomic weapon? What would have your decision been of the atomic weapon was not available?