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Road to WW II. Treaty of Versailles and 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”
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Treaty of Versaillesand Germany • Germany: • Took Responsibility • Gave up Territory • Limited Military • Assumed War Debt
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
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