686-69 1 Analyze two primary source documents related to Adolph Hitler and World War II:

1. 686-691 • Analyze two primary source documents • related to Adolph Hitler and World War II: • - Speech to German munitions workers. • - Excerpt from “Mein Kampf”. • Describe the factors/steps that drew the • world closer to the Second World War.

2. December 21, 1931 • Charismatic: • One who communicates with a special personal charm of leadership arousing wide popular loyalty or enthusiasm. • Highlight or underline main points Hitler’s speech to munitions workers in 1940. • Read the excerpt from “Mein Kampf” and highlight or underline the main points. Hitler speech

3. Hitler speech 1938 Time “Man of the Year” December 21, 1931 April 14, 1941

4. Steps Leading to World War II • The Dilemma Facing the United States • By Fall, 1941 opinion polls showed most Americans still hoped to avoid involvement in the war. • HOWEVER, the U.S. was racing to create an atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico. • Edward Teller • Enrique Fermi • Niels Bohr

5. Steps Leading to World War II • The Roots of War • Versailles Treaty that ended World War I created many new small nations in Europe which were vulnerable to attack by larger nations such as Germany and the Soviet Union. • Italy and Japan were unhappy with the peace treaty since they felt it did not recognize their stature as world powers. • Germany felt they were never really defeated in the Great War. • The economic depression of the 1930s allowed for the rise to power of dictators.

6. Steps Leading to World War II • Japanese military aggression increased • “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” – Japan should dominate • “Rape of Nanking” – 1937, against Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) • Italian military aggression • Mussolini invades Ethiopia – 1935 • Italy supports Francisco Francoin Spain in a civil war – 1937 • German military aggression • Hitler declares himself “Fuhrer” of the “Third Reich” begins expansion plan and racial superiority - 1934 • Nuremberg Laws – 1935

7. Steps Leading to World War II • German military aggression • Hitler orders the invasion of Poland using “Blitzkrieg” – 9/1/1939 • Joins with Italy and Japan forming the Axis Powers – 1940 • Battle of Britain – Fall, 1940 • Invasion of the Soviet Union – 6/1941 • Hitler violates his “non-aggression pact” with the Soviets by launching an attack.

8. Factors leading to U.S. Involvement in WWII • How does the U.S. move towards involvement in World War II? • “Neutrality Acts” – 10/1939 • Allowed arms sales to “belligerent” nations only on a cash and carry basis from American ports. • France falls to Nazi Germany – 1940 • Frightens Congress into passing the first peacetime draft. • Congress approved a destroyer deal with Britain. • 1940 Election – • Wendell Wilkie • FDR wins re-election and promises no American will fight in another foreign war!

9. Factors leading to U.S. Involvement in WWII • How does the U.S. move towards involvement in World War II? • Lend-Lease Program – 1/1941 • FDR “lends” military equipment to Britain • Senator Robert Taft – “chewing gum” • USS Reuben James, Greer, Kearney • USS Destroyer Reuben James sunk • USS Destroyers Greer, Kearney fired upon • “The Atlantic Charter” – 8/1941 • War goals established with Britain. • Agreed to defeat Germany first, then focus on defeating Japan!