1. The Lead Up to WWII

2. Why the rise of dictators prior to WWII?
Europe in shambles following WWI
High Unemployment
Hyperinflation
1930s Worldwide Depression
Fear of communism across Europe
Germans upset with reparations
Totalitarian type governments
led by dictators and emphasizing aggressive nationalism gain
control in ITALY and GERMANY

3. Fascism & Naziism Democracy
Mussolini Italy FDR United States
Hitler Germany
Individuals exist to serve Opposite
state/nation
No criticism of government allowed “
Schools teach fascist philosophy “
and prepare youth for war
Press/radio/film/books censored “
Individual liberties denied “
WAR IS THE NOBLEST GOAL “
OF MAN AND A NATION

4. NAZISM = Fascism with TWO More Ideas
- Anti-Semitism
Prejudice/Hatred against
Jews
Ideas about racial superiority claiming that Aryan people of Northern Europe were the master race and all others
were lower in the hierarchy

5. Why did Germany Succumb to Naziism??
Emotional leadership of Hitler &
little faith in existing government (Hyperinflation)
Fear of Communism was widespread in Europe. Strong leader needed for protection
Many Germans wanted a leader willing to reverse the “wrongs” of the Versailles Treaty
Lack of military, reparations, lost territory
Germany suffered through Depression. Nazi Party had plan to rebuild the economy
No group willing to stop force of Nazis once Hitler declared himself leader (FEAR)

6. Steps to WWII Italy crushes Ethiopia in “test” in 1935.
Mussolini promises new Roman Empire
Nazis win over 30 seats in German Congress
and Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
In 1933 the Reichstag (Congress) was set on fire Hitler blamed Communists and received emergency powers to deal with “communist revolt”

7. Steps to WWII Nazis seize Rhineland from
France in 1936 as “test”. France
does not respond militarily
Hitler promises to regain land lost in WWI
Spanish Civil War ( ).
“Test” ground for Hitler’s equipment, tactics.
Japan seized Manchuria in 1931
& attacked China in 1937.
(Begin to build empire in the Far East)

8. Munich Pact
Agreement between England/France and Germany which would divide up the Sudetenland (Czech) and give section to Germany
Ideas is to APPEASE Hitler
Chamberlain (Prime Minister of Britain)
declared “Peace in our Time” and
believes war in Europe
has been avoided.

9. The Munich Pact and Sudetenland
If France/Britain had resisted this negotiation, there was a plan by the German Generals to remove Hitler but this success provided them with confidence in Hitler and two months later the German military took
control of all of Czechoslovakia with little resistance

10. Hitler and the Start WWII
Following Munich Pact, Hitler turns attention on Poland
September 1, 1939 Germany invades
Poland and France/Britain declare
war on Germany. WWII BEGINS
Russia declares war on Germany as Hitler and Stalin had agreement to share Poland
ALLIES: England, France & Russia
AXIS: Germany, Italy and Japan

11. Hitler/Stalin Non-Aggression Pact
Hitler violated agreement with Stalin and invaded Polandand took control of entire country – Stalin and Russia will join Allies to fight against Hitler/Germany

12. German Troops march into Warsaw, Poland 1939

13. Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, 1940
The Tripartite Pact - Axis Powers of WWII

14. Hitler and WWII Hitler and Nazis introduce new technique of war
Blitzkrieg ( Lightning War) – All out attack by ground and air in attempt to overwhelm opponent into quick surrender.
Hitler also introduces war on Jews
Holocaust begins in attempt to
destroy people of Jewish faith
throughout Europe established.
6 million people killed