Emergence of World War II

Russia Vladimir Lenin: Establishes the communist party, and makes Russia the Union of Soviet Republicans.(USSR) The Communist party was a one party system that was known to suppress individual liberties and punish opponents. Once Lenin died there was a power struggle over who should control the party.

Hitler’s Germany Hitler was known for being anticommunist, as well an admirer of Mussolini Hitler will use the failing German economy to rise to power. Leads to the formation of the NAZI party, who believed in an anti communist agenda and believed that Germany should expand its territory Both Hitler and Mussolini in Italy grew to power under the idea of: Fascism: An aggressive nationalistic movement that considered the nation more important the than the individual.

Mein Kampf In 1923 the Nazi’s tried to seize power the plan failed and Hitler was arrested. While in Prison Hitler wrote the book Mien Kampf meaning my struggle In the book he stated that Germans with blond hair and blue eyes belonged to a master race. He believed Germany needed space and believed expanding into Poland After Prison Hitler would rise to power.

The Neutrality act Under the Neutrality act made it illegal to sell arms to any country at war. It was the hope that this action would keep the United States out of any foreign war. This was developed from a few studies stating that producing and selling weapons was what brought America into WWI

Formation of the Axis powers Germany and Italy decided to cooperate on international issues The pact required that the countries exchange information about communist groups and pus the growth of Fascism Japan would eventually join them. Axis powers: Germany= Hitler Italy= Mussolini Japan=Hirohito

Internationalism While this is occurring FDR is beginning to take office. He considers ending the depression to be his first priority He does believe action is needed on some foreign problems Internationalism: The idea that trade between nations helps prevent war. FDR believed that the U.S. should try and keep the peace.

America First Committee A group that formed as Roosevelt pushed the country towards aiding Britain in the war with Germany and the axis powers. The group pushed for the continuation of isolationism and were up set by FDR’s foreign policy ideas. Charles Lindberg was an impotant member of the group.

Lend Lease Act As Britain fell farther into danger they asked America for help. The U.S. passed the Lend Lease Act The act stated the U.S. could lend weapons to any country vital to U.S. defense. This allowed America to sell Britain weapons as long as they paid the money back.

Atlantic Charter FDR also started an organization to assure peace after WWII. The Atlantic charter was meant to push free trade, freedom of the seas, and non aggression between countries. 15 countries that were against the axis powers signed into the organization.

Embargo Act To continue to help Britain in the war Effort the U.S. Decided to ban selling Japan any strategic materials. Strategic materials=Anything related to the war including steel and oil. The U.S. Was the chief exporter of oil and steel to Japan, this action sent Japan’s economy into a nose dive. This action would lead to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of the War for the U.S.