World War IIRoad To War

. Germany rearmed itself starting in 1933◦ withdrew from the League of Nations◦ denounced disarmament clauses of the Treaty

of Versailles◦ announced the existence of an air force◦ instituted conscription (the draft)◦ built up munitions

Treaty violations

war is to be avoided at all costs◦ the cure (war) is worse than the disease

(tyrannical rule) Democracies voted to work for peaceful

means to resolve differences Dictators believed that democracies would

not fight, take advantage of peaceful means.

Pacifism

Stalin transforms Soviet Union

Created an industrial power through totalitarianism.

Citizens had no rights Government

suppressed all opposition.

Strong centralized government headed by a powerful dictator.

Rooted in extreme Nationalism Mussolini dreamed of making Italy a world

power Mussolini extended control over every

aspect of life by crushing all opposition, making Italy a totalitarian state.

Fascism in Italy

What similarities to Fascism in Germany do you see?

Benito Mussolini Fascism in Italy

. Italy wanted it’s own colony, ◦ Ethiopia was one of only two countries in Africa that was self-

governed League of Nations condemned the action, did nothing to

stop it this colonial war was remembered for exposing the weak

bond on which the League of Nations was founded. League of Nations was a total failure in terms of

accomplishing the objectives for which it was established. ◦ both Italy as well as Ethiopia were members of the League of

Nations yet the League was not able to prevent Italy from forcefully violating the rights of Ethiopia as well as acting outside of the League’s articles.

Italy seizes Ethopia

Imperialism still alive in Africa

Based on extreme Nationalism (like Fascism)

Hitler wanted to unite all German-speaking people.

Aryans form master race◦ Inferior races were fit only to serve Aryans.

Wanted lebensraum (Living space) and is willing to fight for it.

After being elected, Hitler dismantled Weimar Republic and establishes Third Reich (third empire of Germany)

Nazism in Germany

Germany wanting land

Sudetenland Poland

War with Russia in 1905, win against the Czar

Invaded and conquered Manchuria in 1931 League condemned Japanese aggression Japan quit League of Nations Militarists gain control of Japan They wanted to be the uniting power in

South Pacific, control the whole area

Japanese aggression in Asia

Japan invades Manchuria

America grew more isolationistic◦ 70% against America’s part in WWI

Many claim that greedy bankers and arms dealers dragged America into WWI◦ Large profits by banks and arms manufacturers

hard to refute (Merchants of death argument) 1935 Neutrality Acts

◦ Outlawed sales of arms or loans to nations at war.

American Reactions after WWI

American Neutrality before WWII

Spanish Civil War changed many American’s mind. ◦ Hitler and Mussolini used Spanish Civil War as

training ground for their armies. ◦ Many wanted to stop Fascism in Spain but did too

little, too late Japan invaded China in 1937

◦ Roosevelt didn’t enforce Neutrality Acts, sent aid to China to fight Japan

Neutrality Breaks Down

I

Japan Invaded China in a brutal way

Invasion of Manchuria was Japan’s Lebensraum (living room)