Agree/Disagree “Hitler could have been stopped before he invaded Poland on September 1st of 1939.” If you agree with this statement, go to the agree side of the room and prepare to defend your position. If you disagree go to the “disagree” side and prepare your argument.

Quickwrite Based on our discussion, our reading and your understanding of Adolf Hitler, do you think he could have been stopped before the Germans invaded Poland? Use specific examples from your reading to defend your opinion.

Dictatorships take Control Between the Wars 1918 to 1939 Dictatorships take Control

Germany in despair Treaty of Versailles assigned total responsibility to Germany. Forced to make territorial concessions, limit the size of its military, and pay for reparations.

Hitler assumes POWER Extreme Nationalist NAZI party leader Becomes chancellor of Germany When the German President dies in 1934, Hitler combines the two positions and proclaims the birth of the “Third Reich”; successor to the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire. Wanted to rebuild Germany into world power.

MUSSOLINI LEADS ITALY Italy was similar to Germany, it faced political and economic problems for years after WWI. Benito Mussolini organized war veterans into the Fascist Party. Named Prime Minister by King Emmanuel III

Support in Spain Both Hitler and Mussolini supported Spanish Nationalist Francisco Franco (Fascist) This lead to a military alliance in October of 1936 known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. Guernica becomes a “dress rehearsal” of WWII.

JAPAN IS NEXT Japan was another of the dictatorships that arose after WWI. They needed empire (resources, land, markets)

War in Manchuria In 1931 the japanese army attacked Manchuria, a region in northeastern China. Impose censorship, arrest critics, and create a secret police.

ROME-BERLIN-TOKYO AXIS In attempt to gain support, Japan joins with Hitler and Mussolini and they sign the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis in 1936.

AGGRESSIVE MOVES LEAD TO WORLD WAR II

Hitler makes his moves In 1936, Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles and moves into the Rhineland with little resistance. In 1938, Hitler moves into Austria and declares it part of Germany (anschluss). Britain and France both condemned his moves, but took no action.

APPEASEMENT British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain approach towards Hitler was one of appeasement. Does not want war.

Czechoslovakia Hitler then turned to Czechoslovakia..

MUNICH CONFERENCE 1938 Chamberlain, in attempt to resolve the crisis called for the Munich Conference. Hitler met with leaders from Britain, France, and Italy. Germany was given the Sudetenland and Hitler guaranteed the independence for the rest of Czechoslovakia. “Peace with Honor…Peace for our time” Goering, Mussolini, Hess, Hitler, Ciano, Himmler and Keitel (?) at the Munich conference, 1938

Hitler/Stalin Pact 1) “I won’t attack you if you don’t attack me.” Hitler and Stalin agree. 2) When Germany attacks Poland it will take back the former German portion and Russia can have the rest! 3) DEAL!!!!!

War Begins in 1939 Six months after the Munich Conference Hitler, convinced that Britain and France were too weak to stop him, ordered his troops to take over Czechoslovakia. Hitler then started making demands in Poland. Britain and France promise to aid Poland if Germany attacks. On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland and World War II begins.