Question: How did Canadians at home (civilians) and soldiers help to bring an end to World War II?

Introduction to World War II World War II was somewhat inevitable after the end of WWI.

Causes of WWII WWI ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty punished Germany for starting WWI. Germany was forced to pay reparations (sums of money) to the victors. It also took land away from Germany.

How did Hitler and The Nazi’s Come to Power? Germany could not afford to pay reparations. Their economy was destroyed after losing WWI. Unemployment was high as was inflation. It cost a wheelbarrow full of money just to buy a loaf of bread!

How did Hitler and The Nazi’s Come to Power? The National Socialist Party (Nazis), led by Adolf Hitler were elected by promising to tear up the Treaty of Versailles, putting people back to work, and by making Germany great once more.

Hitler’s Germany In 1933, Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany, and had almost complete control of Germany—only the aged President Hindenburg could stop him. In July of 1934, Hindenburg died and Hitler took over and combined the offices of Chancellor and President. He was then to be known as Fuhrer (leader). On August 2, the German army swore allegience to Hitler as Fuhrer, rather than to Germany. He now had complete control.

Unemployment in Millions The Economy Under the Nazis Unemployment in Millions During the 1930s high unemployment was an important reason why the Nazis came to power Hitler promised ‘bread and work’ for the German people Hitler was far more successful than the British government in reducing unemployment during the same period? Why?

Hitler was able to lower unemployment by introducing 4 strategies: Reparations Government Spending Wage and Price control Rearmament

Reparations Stopped paying reparations once he became president Money that had been going to France and Belgium could now be invested in the German economy to create more jobs

Government Spending Hitler created new jobs through government spending on construction Network of motorways (autobahns) This network not only created jobs, but created a more efficient Germany; industry goods could be shipped faster Also increased the speed at which troops could cross the country

Investments in Car Industry Huge public buildings Olympic games were held in Berlin in 1936 in a newly built Olympic Stadium Created jobs, but also impressed people (a visible sign that Hitler was making Germany great again) Reich Labour Service Provided manpower for jobs such as building the autobahns, draining marshes for farmland, building sea walls to protect coastal areas from flooding Investments in Car Industry Volkswagen is produced: the people’s car By cutting imports of foreign cars, jobs were created Car factories were also useful because they could be easily converted for military needs

Wage and Price Control Destroyed trade unions, therefore keeping wages low This was a reward for industries who supported Hitler—they made big profits Industrialists would help Hitler stay in power

Breaking of the Treaty of Versailles Hitler began breaking the treaty by: 1. Not paying reparations 2. Building up Germany’s armed forces 3. Annexing (reoccupying) territory taken away from Germany after WWI. Britain, France, and the United States allowed the terms of the treaty to be relaxed. This was known as appeasement.

Appeasement The policy of giving in to the demands of an unfriendly power to prevent conflict.

But Hitler continued to demand more and more territory: 1. Rhineland occupied, March 1936 2. Austria annexed, March 1938 3. Sudetenland occupied, October 1938 4. Czechoslovakia occupied, March 1939 5. Poland invaded, September 1, 1939

War Britain and France had had enough: On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war against Germany. On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war against Germany. (Canada would support Britain fully by providing war materials and a small volunteer army).