World War II Road To War
Dec 26, 2015
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)