Agree/Disagree “Hitler could have been stopped before he invaded Poland on September 1 st 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.

Between the Wars 1918 to 1939 Standard Compare the German, Italian, and Japanese drives for empire in the 1930s, including the 1937 Rape of Nanking, other atrocities in China, and the Stalin-Hitler Pact of 1939.

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 Appointed 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. Wishes to create a “New Roman Empire.”

Support in Spain Hitler and Mussolini supported Spanish Nationalist Francisco Franco (Fascist) against liberals in Spain. 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 military dictatorships that arose after WWI. Industrialization created a need for empire (resources, land, markets)

Japanese Atrocities In 1931 the Japanese army attacked Manchuria, a region in northeastern China. In 1937 Japan attacks Nanking, China in a brutal assault on civilians.

ROME-BERLIN-TOKYO AXIS In an 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 (Aggression). In 1938, Hitler moves into Austria and declares it part of Germany “anschluss” (Aggression) Britain and France both condemned his moves, but took no action (Appeasement).

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

Czechoslovakia Hitler then turned to Czechoslovakia. Claims Sudetenland for Germany.

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 (BIG FAT LIE). “Peace with Honor…Peace for our time” (neither) 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. Germany won’t have to fear attack from the east. 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.

Formative Assessment The Drive for Empire in Germany, Italy and Japan.