World War II

World War IIWorld War II

Section 1: The Gathering Section 1: The Gathering StormStorm

Stalin’s Totalitarian StateStalin’s Totalitarian State

Stalin came to power after Lenin’s death in Stalin came to power after Lenin’s death in 19241924

Totalitarian state – a single party controls Totalitarian state – a single party controls the government and every aspect of the government and every aspect of people’s livespeople’s lives• Citizens must obey without questionCitizens must obey without question• Criticism of gov. is severely punishedCriticism of gov. is severely punished• Millions were executed or sent to labor campsMillions were executed or sent to labor camps• Political opponents/enemies were executedPolitical opponents/enemies were executed• Many confessed to false charges under tortureMany confessed to false charges under torture

Fascist ItalyFascist Italy

Fascism – rooted in militarism, extreme Fascism – rooted in militarism, extreme nationalism, and blind loyalty to the state.nationalism, and blind loyalty to the state.

Mussolini – Il Duce (“the leader”)Mussolini – Il Duce (“the leader”)• Fought in WWI – wounded by shrapnelFought in WWI – wounded by shrapnel• Came to power in 1922Came to power in 1922• Used anger at Versailles Treaty to gain Used anger at Versailles Treaty to gain

support.support.• Outlawed all political parties except his ownOutlawed all political parties except his own• Controlled the press and banned critics of gov.Controlled the press and banned critics of gov.• Students learned – “Mussolini is always right”Students learned – “Mussolini is always right”

Conquering EthiopiaConquering Ethiopia

Mussolini promised to restore Mussolini promised to restore greatness of Ancient Romegreatness of Ancient Rome• Military aggression – warlike act by one Military aggression – warlike act by one

country against another without just country against another without just causecause

• Invaded Ethiopia in 1935Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Ethiopia fought back but was outmatchedEthiopia fought back but was outmatched Emperor Haile Selassie asked League of Emperor Haile Selassie asked League of

Nations for help, but did not receive anyNations for help, but did not receive any

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler• Born April 20Born April 20thth, 1889 in , 1889 in BraunauBraunau am Inn am Inn, ,

Austria-HungaryAustria-Hungary • Was beaten as a child by his fatherWas beaten as a child by his father• Dropped out of high schoolDropped out of high schoolwithout a degreewithout a degree• Wanted to be an artist or Wanted to be an artist or architect but did not have thearchitect but did not have themoney or schooling neededmoney or schooling needed

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

• Rejected by Art Academy twiceRejected by Art Academy twice• Ran out of money, lived in a homeless shelter Ran out of money, lived in a homeless shelter

for a year.for a year.• Some believe his Anti-Semitism was influenced Some believe his Anti-Semitism was influenced

by Martin Luther by Martin Luther In In Mein KampfMein Kampf, Hitler refers to Martin Luther as a , Hitler refers to Martin Luther as a

great warrior, a true statesmen, and a great reformergreat warrior, a true statesmen, and a great reformer

• Served in WWI as a runnerServed in WWI as a runner• Became German citizen in 1932Became German citizen in 1932• Time Time “Man of the Year” in 1938“Man of the Year” in 1938

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

• Became leader of the National Socialist Became leader of the National Socialist Party in July 1921.Party in July 1921.

Changed the name to National Socialist Changed the name to National Socialist German Workers’ Party, became known as German Workers’ Party, became known as the Nazi partythe Nazi party

Gained support by proclaiming that Gained support by proclaiming that Germany had not lost, but had been stabbed Germany had not lost, but had been stabbed in the back.in the back.

Jews and other traitors becameJews and other traitors became

the scapegoat.the scapegoat.

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

Became Chancellor of Germany in Became Chancellor of Germany in 19331933• The Aryan Race – Hitler believed that The Aryan Race – Hitler believed that

the Germans were superior to other the Germans were superior to other races, especially Jews.races, especially Jews.

• Jews were deprived of citizenship, Jews were deprived of citizenship, forbidden to use public facilities, and forbidden to use public facilities, and driven out of nearly every job.driven out of nearly every job.

• Jews eventually were forced into Jews eventually were forced into concentration camps.concentration camps.

The Nazi War MachineThe Nazi War Machine

Hitler claimed that Germany had a Hitler claimed that Germany had a right to expand their territoryright to expand their territory• Began to build up armed forcesBegan to build up armed forces• 1936 – invaded the Rhineland, the area 1936 – invaded the Rhineland, the area

between France and Germanybetween France and Germany• The League of Nations protested, but did The League of Nations protested, but did

little else.little else.

Military Rule in JapanMilitary Rule in Japan

Japan suffered from the Depression Japan suffered from the Depression as wellas well• Military leaders took control of countryMilitary leaders took control of country• Belief in racial superiorityBelief in racial superiority

Asian ExpansionAsian Expansion• 1931 – Seized Manchuria in NE China1931 – Seized Manchuria in NE China

Land was rich in coal and iron, two things Land was rich in coal and iron, two things Japan did not haveJapan did not have

League of Nations and U.S. condemned the League of Nations and U.S. condemned the action but did nothing else.action but did nothing else.

American IsolationismAmerican Isolationism

America was determined to not get America was determined to not get involvedinvolved• Neutrality Acts – 1935 – banned arms Neutrality Acts – 1935 – banned arms

sales and loans to countries at warsales and loans to countries at war• Congress also warned Americans not to Congress also warned Americans not to

travel on ships of countries at wartravel on ships of countries at war• Good Neighbor Policy – attempt to Good Neighbor Policy – attempt to

improve relations with Latin Americaimprove relations with Latin America Removed troops from Nicaragua and HaitiRemoved troops from Nicaragua and Haiti Cancelled Platt AmendmentCancelled Platt Amendment