Lead up to World War II

Chapter 23

World War I and the Great Depression had devastating effects throughout the world.

In some countries, people turned to new leaders, who would be responsible for creating an even deadlier global conflict.

Why did totalitarian states rise after World War I, and what did they do?

• Germans resented the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, feeling humiliated in defeat.

• Italy and Japan were angered by the treaty, expecting to receive more land as Allied victors.

• Worldwide depression brought despair to many already suffering from war.

Overwhelming problems led some nations to turn to a new

form of government called totalitarianism.

Totalitarian governments developed in several countries during the 1930s.

Country LeaderSoviet Union Joseph StalinItaly Benito Mussolini

Germany Adolf Hitler

Stalin Bio

In Germany, the Weimar Republic struggled with overwhelming

economic and social problems.

Hitler rebuilt the nation’s army. His economic policies put people back to work. Many cheered his

success.Hitler video

June1920

May 1924

Dec. 1924

May1928

Sep.1930

July1932

Nov.1932

Mar.1933

Communist Party (KPD)

4 62 45 54 77 89 100 81

Social Democratic Party (SDP)

102 100 131 153 143 133 121 120

Catholic Centre Party (BVP)

65 81 88 78 87 97 90 93

Nationalist Party (DNVP)

71 95 103 73 41 37 52 52

Nazi Party (NSDAP)

- - - 12 107 230 196 288

Other Parties 98 92 73 121 122 22 35 23

Nanjing Video

Start of World War II and Early Years

Americans were shocked by Japanese and German aggression.

Yet they remained deeply divided over American involvement in another war—especially as they fought the despair of the Great Depression.

How did Americans react to events in Europe and Asia in the early years of World War

II?

• Hitler violated the Munich Pact, taking over the remainder of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

• When Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This marked the start of World War II.

• Germany launched a series of attacks on its neighbors marked by speed and massive firepower—a blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.”

• Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands fell in 1940.

Hopes for peace in Europe faded as it became clear that efforts to appease Hitler had

failed.

Beginning in July 1940, Hitler turned his fury on Britain.

Europe was again at war. In time, major powers around the world

joined in alliances.

Video

In early December 1941, the United States had engaged in warlike activity, but had not yet committed itself to join in World War II. A surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ended the debate between isolationists and interventionists.

The United States was going to war.

How did the United States react to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

Japanese Aggression, December 1941–June 1942

Pg 794Q&A