1. Isolationism & The Rise of Dictators Honors World History

2. Isolationism (1935-1937) The U.S. wanted to isolate itself from conflicts in Europe and Asia, and avoid involvement in world events. The American people felt that U.S. involvement in WWI was driven by bankers and weapons/munitions businesses looking to make money. The U.S. wanted to remain neutral and avoided financial deals and trading with countries at war.

3. Isolationism On August 31, 1935, Congress passed the first Neutrality Act prohibiting the export of “arms, ammunition, and implements of war” from the United States to foreign nations at war and requiring arms manufacturers in the United States to apply for an export license.

4. Isolationism American citizens traveling in war zones were also advised that they did so at their own risk. President Franklin D. Roosevelt originally opposed the legislation, but relented in the face of strong Congressional and public opinion.

5. Totalitarian Government A totalitarian government is a centralized government that is controlled by one person or a small group and denies the people of their civil rights. Examples: Nazi Germany, Japan, Italy (192s0-1930s) Some of the major causes of the Rise of the Dictators were: World wide economic depression of1929, limitations the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany, and the rise of Fascism in Italy.

6. Totalitarian Government The rise of Totalitarian governments in Germany, Japan, and Italy were the result of severe economic problems in Europe after WWI.

7. Hitler’s Aryan Race At the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics, Adolf Hitler planned to show he world that the Aryan race was the dominant race; Jesse Owens proved him wrong. Owens won gold and became the most successful athlete of the 1936 summer games. He became the first American to win four Track & Field medals in a single Olympics. His record was unbroken for 48 years.