1. World War II
Social Studies 11

2. Where we’re at, and where we’re going…
The 1930s has come and gone, this was a tough decade for Canadians
1939, the onset of the Second World was upon Canadians, difficulties were being to arise
Much like WWI, the Second World War brought with it significant changes in Canadian society:
Unemployment decreased
Women played a vital role yet again
Relations between English and French Canadians became strained again as well
Further to this there were other significant changes in Canadian life:
Racial tensions developed with the involvement of Japan in WWII
Canada entered the war as a sovereign nation, enhancing our reputation as a “middle” power

3. Background to War
End of WWI noted for the fact that the forces that would eventually lead to WWII were already in motion (1919)
Neither the “winners” nor “losers” of WWI were truly happy with the end results:
France still scared of Germany
Italy & Germany felt cheated
Economic depression didn’t help Europe as a whole
In the Pacific there was reason for concern:
Japan had become very aggressive
Largely run by the military – “warlords”
Goal: acquire empire through conquest
Alarmed China & USA

4. Totalitarianism is a risin’…
WWII was started largely by the actions of totalitarian dictators
Dictators were not only in possession of new technologies and means to seize power, but they were also in “total” control of their, as well as other populations.
Germany and Italy were a fascist totalitarian regime
Russia was a communist totalitarian regime

5. Key Concepts of Totalitarianism
Only one leader who had absolute power
Hitler = Germany
Mussolini = Italy
Stalin = Russia
Only one ideology
i.e. Communism
Secret police
Instill Terror in Population
i.e. Gestapo in Germany
No opposition (dissent), citizens were denied human rights
Censorship and propaganda used to control population
Only freedom of thought
Knew to keep this to yourself

6. Meet your Dictator #1: Mussolini and Italian Fascism
Following the end of WWI, Italians were not happy
Were not happy with their new democratic government
Weak & ineffective
Blamed their leaders for the bad Paris Peace Conf.
Economic chaos and lack of day-to-day stability
Between Italians decided to ditch democratic party in charge, formed political party called fascisti
Lead by Benito Mussolini
Goal: Lead country to war of imperial conquest
Italy couldn’t do this alone, needed a dance partner…
1935 invaded Ethiopia to fulfill this goal
March on Rome
Known as Blackshirts:
Member of Italian Fascist party pre-WWII

7. Meet Your Dictator #2: Hitler & Nazi Germany
Before we discuss Hitler, some back ground on Germany…
Germany, like Italy, was a democratic state post-WWI
Most countries did this as a desire for freedom and ability to vote
But, this was not the motive in Germany at the end of WWI
When the Kaiser (German leader) abdicated (gave up power), a new democratic system was developed
Known as the Weimar Republic (1918)
Done so right away in an effort to help them in the peacemaking process; done so to please the Americans (this was their motive)
Hopefully get a lenient settlement in Paris
This new government was weakened by political turmoil and too many political parties.
There was little respect in Germany for democratic institutions.

8. Germany’s Interwar Years
Attitude towards the Weimar Republic was not “good”
Most Germans hated every clause from the Treaty of Versailles
Weimar’s representatives signed this treaty, so most Germans hated their democratic system, were suspicious of it’s ability to run Germany
Population issues aside, there were numerous other issues that undermined the Weimar Republic…

9. Weimar Issue #1: Inflation
Inflation: An economic condition where the currency of a country becomes less and less valuable
Prior to 1923, this was already an issue in Germany:
Failed to pay reparation payments
French and British troops occupied the Ruhr Valley
Done so to make the Germans “pay more”, occupied industrial lands
Made inflation seem like “hyper-inflation”
German Mark (currency) lost all its value
12 Billion Marks = $1 Canadian
Government Trashed ‘old’ mark, making next to worthless money totally worthless
People were really mad now!
Middle Class ruined, eventually led to them putting their support behind the Nazis

10. Hitler makes a move…
It was at this time that Adolf Hitler first attempted to overthrow the democratic government
This failed, but was the first step in gaining support
Used it as a means to remind people who lost all their money/were ruined:
He would destroy democracy
Never let German people become victims like this ever again

11. Weimar Issue #2: The Great Depression
For 5 years after the inflation crisis, the German government was reasonably stable; the economy did not flourish but it did become more stable.
Democracy might stand a chance!
1929, the crash of the American stock market ended loans to Germany.
The industrialized world was spun into the worst economic depression in modern history
These loans were necessary to pay reparations.
German banks failed and unemployment rose by March of 1932 to over six million.
The middle class which had been badly hurt by inflation in the 1920s now faced complete ruin.
Unemployment & financial crisis caused democracy to come under attack
Far Left (communism) and Far Right (Nazis) grew in popularity with every election
Included the eventual election of Hitler to power in Germany…

12. Unemployment in Germany 1928-35
6 Million People 5 4 3 2 1
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935