A World In Flames

AMERICA AND THE WORLD

A World In Flames

Introduction

After WWI Europe was unstable.The World, not just the United States, was

trying to escape the Great Depression.Fascist dictators took control of many

governments.The United States tried to stay neutral as

European tensions rose.

The Rise of Dictators

The treaty that ended WWI and the economic depression that followed set the stage for dictators to take control.

ITALY (You need to know where Italy is on a map) 1919- Benito Mussolini starts the Fascist party.

“the nation is more important than the individual; a dictator is needed to impose order; anti-communistic” Mussolini offered the working class full employment and

social security Mussolini (nicknamed Il Duce or “The Leader) wanted to

force order to return to Italy



Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (You need to identify on a map) 1917- Vladimir Lenin gains control of the USSR.

Instituted a one party rule; took away individual liberties; punished opponents



Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) 1924- Lenin dies: 1926 Joseph Stalin becomes the new

dictator. 1928- started a massive effort to industrialize the his

country Tolerating no opposition, the effort brought about the

deaths of 8 to 10 million peasants who resisted the Communist policies.



GERMANY (You need to know where this is on a map) Adolf Hitler (Fuhrer)

Fought for Germany in WWI WWI left him with a hatred for the Allies and the German government

that accepted the Treaty of Versailles. Hated communism and admired Benito Mussolini

Political and Economic Chaos led to the Rise of New Political Parties. National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party)

Did not represent the working class; nationalistic and anti-communist Hitler was one of the party’s first recruits


GERMANY November 1923- the Nazi Party unsuccessfully tries to seize

control of the German government Hitler is arrested

Writes Mein Kampf (My Struggle) while in prison.• Unification of all German speaking peoples; Aryans are the master race;

Germany should expand its borders into Poland and Russia (lebensraum= more living space for Germans); Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe belonged to an inferior race;. Blamed the Jews for the World’s problems and Germany’s defeat in WWI.

Nazi’s try new peaceful tactic of getting elected into the Reichstag (German Parliament). When the Great Depression hit, many Germans were ready to accept

radical ideals of the Nazis.


GERMANY Many traditional German leaders supported Hitler’s

nationalism. They believed that if they helped Hitler become leader of

Germany that they could control him. 1933- The German President appoints Hitler as

Chancellor. Hitler orders police to crack down on socialists and

communists. Hitler orders new elections. Nazis dominate the re-

elections. Nazis vote to give Hitler dictatorial powers. Hitler gives himself the title of fuhrer or “leader”.


JAPAN Required to import nearly all of its natural resources to support industry.

During the 1920s Japan did not export enough to pay for its imports. When the Great Depression hit, Japan’s unemployment spiraled downward.

International tariffs made the situation even worst. Japanese military leaders blamed corrupt political leaders for the

country’s problems. Japanese military leaders believed that the only way to solve their country’s

problems was to seize territory. They targeted the resource rich territory of Manchuria. A group of Japanese military officers decided to act without permission and

invaded Manchuria in September of 1931. Military Officers assassinated the Prime Minister and took control.

America Turns to Neutrality

America watched as tensions escalated in Europe. Isolationism is widely supported.

The Nye Committee Dozens of books and articles appear suggesting that

arms manufacturers had tricked the US into entering WWI.

Neutrality Act of 1935 Illegal for America to sell arms to any country at war

Neutrality Act of 1937 Countries at war could buy non-military items from the

US on a “cash-and-carry” basis only

Roosevelt and Internationalism

Internationalism: the idea that trade between countries creates prosperity and maintains peace

Roosevelt also supported isolationism in order to stay out of European conflicts. He tried to maintain a balance between isolationism

and internationalism

1937- Japan attacks China from Manchuria Roosevelt sends weapons to China in what appears to

be a violation of the Neutrality Acts

Essay Question

Describe fascism and the beliefs of its followers.

Essay Question

Describe fascism and the beliefs of its followers. Fascism was a kind of aggressive nationalism. Fascists

believed that the nation was more important than the individual. They argued that individualism made countries weak, and that a strong government led by a dictator was needed to impose order on society. Fascists believed a nation became great by expanding it’s territory and building up it’s military. Fascism was also strongly anti-Communist.

Essay Question

Describe Hitler’s beliefs, including his views on different races.

Essay Question

Describe Hitler’s beliefs, including his views on different races. In his book, Hitler called for the unification of all

Germans under one government. He claimed that certain Germans, particularly blond, blue-eyed Germans, were descendants of a “master race” called Aryans. He argued that these Germans needed more lebensraum, or living space, and called for Germany to expand east into Poland and Russia. According to Hitler, the Slavic people of Eastern Europe belonged to an inferior race, which Germans should enslave. He believed that Jews were responsible for many of the world’s problems. In particular, he blamed them for Germany’s defeat in World War I.

A World In Flames

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