Do Now: Please describe these images in a few sentences

WWII Unit

WWII Unit Essential Questions How were totalitarian regimes able to rise in Europe? What was the Holocaust and how should we remember it? How did the actual combat of WWII begin, continue, and end? What were the causes and consequences of US involvement in WWII?

Bitter Peace of WWI Soviet Union and Germany not at WWI peace talks. These countries resented the following Treaty of Versailles, as did Italy and Japan, who never received the land they were promised. The global Great Depression hurt all countries, but especially Germany. The weakness of the League of Nations, especially without the support of the US would also contribute to WWII.

Totalitarianism A theory of government in which a single party or leader controls the economic, social, and cultural lives of its people.

Characteristics: -single party dictatorship exerting control over all aspects of life -Strong, charismatic leader often at the head of government -State control of the economy -Use of police, spies, and terror to enforce the will of the state

Characteristics Continued: -Government control of the media and use of propaganda to indoctrinate citizens -Use of schools and youth organizations to spread ideology to children -Strict censorship of artists, intellectuals, and political rivals with dissenting opinions

Totalitarian States

SOVIET UNION Joseph Stalin, the man of steel After the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924, Stalin took his place as the head of the Communist party. Throughout his rule he killed nearly 10 million people in his efforts to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power and form state-run collective farms.

ITALY Benito Mussolini, Il Duce “The Leader” He founded the fascist party in 1919, promoting nationalism and the promise of making Italy great again. In 1922, King Victor Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to form a government because he feared a revolution. From here Mussolini began creating his totalitarian state.

Germany/Weimar Republic Adolf Hitler Due to economic depression, antidemocratic parties became more and more popular in the 1930s- such as the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NAZI). The widespread unemployment, homelessness, and hunger played into the NAZI’s hands. The NAZI party opposed socialism and promoted worker’s rights. Hitler was a failed artist, a wounded and decorated WWI soldier, and after he joined the NAZI party he soon took control.

Hitler’s Rise Hitler went to prison after a failed attempt at a rebellion against the democratic government. During his time in prison Hitler wrote his famous book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle), in which he explains the problems facing Germany- mostly blaming the communists and Jews. Hitler was violently Anti- Semitic (prejudiced against Jewish people). Anti-Semitism had been present throughout Europe for centuries, mainly motivated by religious intolerance and economic resentment.

Hitler’s Rise As head of the NAZI party, Hitler helped the party grow in number and in power. In 1933 the president of the Weimar Republic appointed Hitler Chancellor. In the next two year, he became President as well and his power went unchecked by the Reichstag (Parliament).

Hitler’s Rise Like Stalin and Mussolini, Hitler created a totalitarian regime. He created a secret police to crush any opposition, a state controlled press and educational system to influence the public mind, and a popular persona as leader to ensure his popularity.

JAPAN Japan was not a Totalitarian Regime- but was Militaristic and Imperialist As with the other states, the Depression hit Japan hard and discredited its civilian leaders. The military leaders argued that expansion into Asia would solve their problems. No leader emerged in Japan like Hitler and it was not totalitarian- but a constitutional monarchy headed by Emperor Hirohito.

Japanese Expansion However, the real power was with the military leaders who began aggressive expansion, starting in 1931 in Manchuria. Manchuria was conquered and Japan set up a puppet state to control its foreign and domestic policies along with the natural resources. Japan continued to expand further into China in the 1930s.