World War II

1. World War II Section 1: The Gathering Storm

2. Stalin’s Totalitarian State • Stalin came to power after Lenin’s death in 1924 • Totalitarian state – a single party controls the government and every aspect of people’s lives • Citizens must obey without question • Criticism of gov. is severely punished • Millions were executed or sent to labor camps • Political opponents/enemies were executed • Many confessed to false charges under torture

3. Fascist Italy • Fascism – rooted in militarism, extreme nationalism, and blind loyalty to the state. • Mussolini – Il Duce (“the leader”) • Fought in WWI – wounded by shrapnel • Came to power in 1922 • Used anger at Versailles Treaty to gain support. • Outlawed all political parties except his own • Controlled the press and banned critics of gov. • Students learned – “Mussolini is always right”

4. Conquering Ethiopia • Mussolini promised to restore greatness of Ancient Rome • Military aggression – warlike act by one country against another without just cause • Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 • Ethiopia fought back but was outmatched • Emperor Haile Selassie asked League of Nations for help, but did not receive any

5. Adolf Hitler • Adolf Hitler • Born April 20th, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary • Was beaten as a child by his father • Dropped out of high school without a degree • Wanted to be an artist or architect but did not have the money or schooling needed

6. Adolf Hitler • Rejected by Art Academy twice • Ran out of money, lived in a homeless shelter for a year. • Some believe his Anti-Semitism was influenced by Martin Luther • In Mein Kampf, Hitler refers to Martin Luther as a great warrior, a true statesmen, and a great reformer • Served in WWI as a runner • Became German citizen in 1932 • Time “Man of the Year” in 1938

7. Adolf Hitler • Became leader of the National Socialist Party in July 1921. • Changed the name to National Socialist German Workers’ Party, became known as the Nazi party • Gained support by proclaiming that Germany had not lost, but had been stabbed in the back. • Jews and other traitors became the scapegoat.

8. Adolf Hitler • Became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 • The Aryan Race – Hitler believed that the Germans were superior to other races, especially Jews. • Jews were deprived of citizenship, forbidden to use public facilities, and driven out of nearly every job. • Jews eventually were forced into concentration camps.

9. The Nazi War Machine • Hitler claimed that Germany had a right to expand their territory • Began to build up armed forces • 1936 – invaded the Rhineland, the area between France and Germany • The League of Nations protested, but did little else.

11. Military Rule in Japan • Japan suffered from the Depression as well • Military leaders took control of country • Belief in racial superiority • Asian Expansion • 1931 – Seized Manchuria in NE China • Land was rich in coal and iron, two things Japan did not have • League of Nations and U.S. condemned the action but did nothing else.

13. American Isolationism • America was determined to not get involved • Neutrality Acts – 1935 – banned arms sales and loans to countries at war • Congress also warned Americans not to travel on ships of countries at war • Good Neighbor Policy – attempt to improve relations with Latin America • Removed troops from Nicaragua and Haiti • Cancelled Platt Amendment