1. Introduction of World War II
Events Leading up to War
&
The Spark of WWII

2. The Dandelion To kill the weed…you must pull out all the roots!
If you miss any roots…the weed grows back!

3. Roots of the Dandelion 4 “MAIN” Causes of WWI: Militarism Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
These causes are the underlying causes of World War I.
Constant building up of the military: to maintain balance of power – as a deterrent
Germany, France, and Russia built up these huge Armies and Britain had the worlds largest navy, which Germany also wanted
Two Alliances of World War I
Triple Alliance – Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy
Triple Entente – Great Britain, France, Russia
Really prevented one country from dominating the others
If you attack one in the group you attack many
Imperialism
Countries wanted to expand and show power
Africa and Asia were carved up
Great Britain and France had land; Germany, Italy, and Russia wanted in
Nationalism
Intense loyalty to one’s country
Italy and Germany were founded on Nationalism
Inspired ethnic groups to break away from existing oppressive nations
Common language and traditions
War fought between the Allies (Great Britain, France, Russia) and the Central powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkish Empire)

4. Wilson’s 14 Point Plan Weed Killer
This was the best weed killer! It would kill all the roots!
Remember, Wilson wanted to solve the problems of war to prevent another war from happening!
Called World War I the War to end all wars
“World must be safe for democracy”
Peace plan to end World War I, and not allow for another to begin
Points to conduct international relations
- End Secret treaties or agreements (Alliances)
- Reductions on arms (weaponry) (Militarism)
- Settle peacefully disputes over colonies (Imperialism)
- Called for creation of own nations (Nationalism)
- Create a League of nations to preserve this peace (Policeman)

5. Versailles Weed Killer
Only Germany was disarmed.
Secret agreements allowed to continue.
Colonies taken from Germany and land taken from Germany.
Nine new countries were formed like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
League of Nations formed, but no military power, and the US never joined.
People at the peace conference in Paris: Big four – Woodrow Wilson (U.S.), P.M. David Lloyd George (G.B.), Premier Georges Clemenceau (France), P.M. Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
WHO WAS NOT THERE? Germany or Russia
Victors sought what was a victor’s peace – Revenge
Each person had own agenda
- France – Not allow Germany to never invade again
- France and G.B. Wanted Germany to make reparations for the damage that the Germans were responsible for
- Major compromise of Wilson’s points
- Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, and Hungary
- Germany accept full responsibility Pay billions in reparations

6. The Dandelion Grows Back Bigger than Before
6 Causes of WWII:
Militarism
Alliances
Imperialism
Nationalism
Treaty of Versailles
Appeasement
- Still four main causes from World War I, no power to enforce to stop it.
Adding the Treaty of Versailles – Victor’s peace
People were upset about the treaty
Appeasement – Avoiding war by giving into the demands of a group
France and Britain – Avoid war with Germany

7. Benito Mussolini Bad Man Number 1
Dictator of Italy
Friend of Hitler
Wanted to make Italy bigger with Germany as a friend and ally
Came to power because Italians thought they did not receive enough from the Treaty of Versaillies
Il Duce (The leader)
Fascist Party – extreme nationalism and racism
Gained so much power the King of Italy – Victor Emmanuel III had to give him power of the government in 1922.
Banned all political parties except for the Fascists
No freedom of press or civil liberties
Wanted to recapture the glory of the ancient Romans
Took over Ethiopia to make it bigger
Tried to get the League of Nations to help – slap on the wrist – banned trade in weapons and other materials to Italy
Lacked the power to even enforce that.
Attacked and annexed Albania

8. Hideki Tojo Bad Man Number 2
Dictator of Japan
Believed the Japanese people were superior to others
Wanted to dominate the world
Military leader
Solve economic problems in Japan by expansion (Asia)
Manchuria- Northeastern China and then occupied Just about the rest of China
League of Nations – slap on the wrist condemned actions did nothing
Sign alliance pact with Germany and Italy – Axis
Similar views on supremacy

9. Adolf Hitler Bad Man Number 3
A powerful speaker
Believed the German race was superior to all others
Wanted to dominate the world
Looked to destroy weaker races
Gained popularity by exploiting people’s concerns about inflation and unemployment
Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
Angry at the treaty of Versailles
Blamed problems on the Jews – Scapegoat
Becomes chancellor in 1933 – ended all Democracy and established totalitarian rule
Thought the Germans needed to expand – Living space “Lebensraum”
Eastward toward Russia

10. Why bad men rise to power? Good Example = Hitler
Hitler - Itus
Weak Gov’t
Poor Economy
Bitter about the Treaty of Versailles
Hilter’s use of force
Hitler’s use of propaganda
Weimar Republic (Weak Government) put in power by the allies
Major inflation due to reparations – printed billions of dollars without having it worth anything
Nation’s people of Italy and Germany were upset and united
S.S. own personal police – to strike fear
Eliminate opposition
Told people who was to blame
Gave them hope at a return to greatness – 3rd Reich “3rd Empire of Germany”
First was the Holy Roman Empire
Second was Prior German Empire started by Bismarck “Iron and Blood”
Made people afraid and told them who was to blame

11. Appeasement Decided to carve up the world
Who is there? Who is cutting?
Policy to avoid war
Started by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain – cheered for “peace of our time”
Met with Hitler at the Munich Conference – his territory intimidated
Handed over the Sudetenland – area owned by Germany originally many Germans there

12. Examples of Appeasement There Are Many
Japan invaded China.
Germany withdrew from League of Nations.
Italy attacked Ethiopia.
Germany rebuilt military.
Germany invaded Rhineland.
Germany invaded Austria.
Italy invaded Albania.
Germany invaded Czechoslovakia.
All Just slaps on the wrist
Last straw was the invasion of Czechoslovakia not to be trusted
Rhineland – Territory west of Rhine River – Neutral
Austria – Was to be unified with Germany both German Speaking nations
Sudetenland – Part of Czech. Many German speaking people there being persecuted.

13. Germany & Soviet Union Hitler and Stalin getting married.
This shows the peace between Germany and the Soviet Union.
This was important so that Germany did not have a two front war like WWI.
Soviet-German Non-Aggression pact August 1939
Allowed Hitler to take over Poland without interference with the Soviet Union
Nazi-Soviet Pact
NO Two Front War
Baffled Allied leaders – Historically Germans and Russians did not get along

14. Appeasement No More War starts Again… Germany kept taking.
Italy kept taking.
Japan kept taking.
Nobody did anything about it!
Finally when Poland is invaded, the allies (England and France) respond!
Meanwhile at Home…
The US observes the happenings in Europe.
The US stays neutral just like it did in WWI.
The Cash and Carry Trade policy with England is started.
- Straw that broke the camel’s back – Invasion of Poland realized Hitler wasn’t going to stop
Lend-Lease Policy
U.S. back to World War I neutrality

15. Germany Invaded Poland
Poland carved out after World War I – Part of Germany and part of Soviet Union
Military on horseback
Hitler had tanks
Use lightning warfare – blitzkrieg
Germany takes over Western Poland
Soviets take over Eastern Poland

16. Germany Expands to 1939 Needs More “Living Space”
Lebensraum
Expansion into German speaking lands
Talked about in Mein Kampf
Prior to taking Poland

17. Next Session - April 1, 2008 ---Mr. Lynch---
Topics to be covered:
US Enters WWII
Pearl Harbor
Japan & Germany
THANK YOU!