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How did DictatorsThreaten WorldPeace in the 1930's?A Dictator in the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R)Joseph StalinCame into power after Lenins death in 1924 and ruled as dictatorDictator is a ruler who has complete power over a countryStalin ruled a totalitarian stateSingle party controls the government and every aspect of peoples livesThrough 5 year plans, industry expanded and a modern military force was built

Fascists in ItalyBenito Mussolini seized power in Italy in 1922Played on Italian anger about the Versailles Treaty (WWI)Mussolini outlawed all political parties except his ownHe controlled the press and banned criticism of government

Mussolini is ALWAYS RIGHT!Invading EthiopiaMussolini used foreign conquest to distract Italians from economic problems at homeCommitted acts of aggression Warlike act by one country against another without just causeMussolini wanted to build a new Roman EmpireInvaded Ethiopia (Haile Selassie)League of Nations responded weakly (no help)Italys modern army defeated EthiopiaRise of Nazi GermanyAdolf Hitler took advantage over anger of Versailles TreatyGermany was given total blame for the war and pay war reparationsCreated the Nazi partyBecame a dictator and created a militaristic totalitarian state.Government controlled the press, schools, and religion

Attacks on JewsHitler and the Nazis preached a message of racial and religious hatredBlamed Jews, gypsies, and communists for Germanys troubles (used as scapegoats)Hitler claimed that Germans belonged to a superior Aryan raceGovernment sent Jews to concentration campsHitler planned to kill all the Jews in Europe (Final Solution)

German Military BuildupGermany built up its armed forces in violation of the Versailles TreatyLeague of Nations condemned Hitlers actions (took no action to stop it)In 1936, Hitler moved troops into the RhinelandViolated Treaty of Versailles but Britain and France protested but took no action

Military Rule in JapanIn the early 1930s, military leaders took power in JapanJapan believed they had a right to an overseas empireJapanese forces seized Manchuria (northeastern China)Rich in coal and ironChina asked the League of Nations for helpThe League condemned aggression but did nothing else

American Foreign PolicyAmericans were too concerned about the depression to care about events overseasThe U.S. developed an isolationist foreign policy and did not want to get involved in Europe and AsiaNeutrality ActsLaws banned arms sales or loans to countries at warLimited economic ties to warring nationsFDRs Good Neighbor Policy tried to establish friendly relations with Latin American countriesFDR wanted the nations in the Western Hemisphere to stick together in the face of European conflictConclusionHow did dictators threaten world peace in the 1930s?Built militaristic totalitarian statesCommitted acts of aggression against other countriesThe League of Nations and the U.S, Britain, and France did little to stop Dictators & their aggression toward othersWhat were theprimary causesof World War II?War In EuropeGerman expansionHitler annexed (took over) AustriaClaimed the SudetenlandPart of CzechoslovakiaHitler planned to unite all German speaking people

Mussolini & HitlerJune 18,1940Munich, GermanyMunich ConferenceLeaders of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany met in Munich in 1938Britain and France agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland and Hitler promised he would seek no further territoryThe practice of giving into aggression to avoid war is known as appeasementAppeasement failed when Germany took the rest of Czechoslovakia

British Prime MinisterNeville Chamberlain

Munich Conference

Appeasement Fails!Hitler invades PolandHitler and Stalin sign a non-aggression pactPromised not to attack each otherHitler launches the blitzkrieg (Lightning war) against PolandPoland quickly falls to Hitler

A Global ConflictAfter the invasion of Poland:Britain and France declare war on GermanyLater, the Allied powers would include: Britain, France, Soviet Union, United States, and ChinaThe Soviet Union joined the allies in 1941 after Hitler broke the Non-Aggression pact

Italy and Japan join Germany to form the Axis powers

FRANCE SURRENDERS!!!Spring 1940Hitlers armies smashed through Denmark, Norway, Holland, and BelgiumGerman armies marched into Paris, France in June 1940Hitlers next target was Britain

Hitler in France

Battle of BritainAfter France fell, Britain stood alone in EuropeBritish Prime Minister Winston Churchill rallied the people as Germany bombed BritainHitler never gets Britain, this was of great importance to the allied war effort.WHY? Britain gave the Allies a place to launch an offensive against Hitler

Scenes from The Battle of BritainGermanys massive bombardment of Britain

FDR and American PolicyFDR tried to help the alliesAsked for repeal of Neutrality laws, isolationists in Congress blocked the moveCongress agrees to a cash and carry planAllies could pay cash for arms and goods and carry them home in their own shipsThe threat of war convinces FDR to run for a third termFDR wins re-election (Dont change horses in midstream)

U.S.A. as the Arsenal of DemocracyFDR asked Congress to pass the Lend-Lease actThe US sent war equipment to any country whose defense was vital to the USFDR and Churchill formed the Atlantic CharterPledged to support the right of all people to choose their own form of government

The US enters the War!Japans war in Asia continued at a brutal paceThe US tried to stop Japans aggression by refusing to sell oil and metal to JapanAn angry Japan launched a surprise attack on the USOn Sunday, December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii2400 Americans killed, and the US Pacific fleet destroyedFDR asked Congress for a declaration of war against JapanItaly and Germany declared war on the US

Conclusion:What were the primary causes of WWII?Anger over Treaty of Versailles (Italy & Germany)Aggression by Germany, Italy, and Japan Failure of world powers US, BR, FR, League of Nations to stand up to aggressionThe failure of the policy of appeasement The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor