Mr. Williamson

Somerville HS

Postwar Europe faces grave problemsJobs for returning vetsRebuilding war-ravaged landsEconomic problems – inflation, unemploymentSocial unrest leading to radical new ideas (Russian

Revolution)

Kellogg-Briand Pact – agreement to renounce war as an instrument of national policyPursued disarmament – reduction of armed

forces/weaponsHowever, limits were not set resulting in weakness

in the pact

League of Nations – outlawed war but no way to enforce the ban1931 – Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, no military

action by the LeagueAmbitious dictators (Hitler, etc.) see this and begin

their aggressive policies

Great Depression – Began in US, spread to the rest of the worldFalling demand, overproduction, speculation in the

marketAmerican banks stop making loans abroad, credit

dries up, depression worsens

The State of GermanyReview – on the brink of chaosThreat of socialist revolution, the Kaiser flees, Moderate

leaders adopt the Versailles Treaty (war-guilt, reparations)

New Democratic government – Weimar RepublicParliamentary system (Congress) led by a chancellorGave the women the right to vote, bill of rights

New Government faces significant problems at the startCurrent leaders are under fire, enemies wanted radical

changes like the ones Lenin brought to RussiaLonged for a strong ruler, blamed the Weimar Republic

for the accepting the Treaty of VersaillesLooking for scapegoats, blame German Jews for

economic/political problems

Inflation – rapid rise in prices linked to an increase in the money supply1923 – Germany falls behind in reparations paymentsTo support the workers during their strike, gov’t

printed huge quantities of paper money to pay themInflation spiraled out of control, misery and despair

increasesGerman currency almost worthlessFamilies could not keep up with skyrocketing prices

With help from Western Powers, inflation comes under controlAgreements to lower reparations, loans to help

Germany recover

The Great Depression hits GermanyTurn to Hitler who promised to solve economic crisis,

restore Germany’s greatness

Adolf Hitler – Born in Austria, moved to Germany, fought in WWIAfter war, join a small group of extremists that

HATED the Weimar RepublicAnti-Semitism – prejudice against Jewish peopleOrganized his supporters to fight against his political

enemiesWould later be the unquestioned leader

1923 – Hitler fails to seize power in Munich, arrested and found guilty of treasonIn prison, authors Mein Kampf (My Struggle) –

would later become the the basic book of Nazi goals/ideology

Extreme nationalism, racismSuperior “master race”, Aryans (light skinned

Europeans)Viewed Jewish people as a separate race, not a

religionBlamed Jewish people for Germany’s defeat in WWIUrged Germans to unite, expand living area

Imagine you are a prospective leader in GermanyCompose a speech to be given to the German people

about the conditions in GermanyRequirements

Discuss the failures of previous administrations, i.e. Weimar Republic, etc.

Discuss the immediate problems facing Germany (economics, social unrest, etc.)

Discuss your plan to fix the problems mentioned earlier in your speech

Feel free to utilize ideas and concepts from the video of Hitler seen before.

Due at the end of class! Good Luck!

After World War I, European democracies are desperate to preserve peace during the 1930sGermany/Italy/Japan are preparing to build new

empires

Germany – violates the Treaty of VersaillesRearms the German military, unites Austria-Germany

(“Anschluss” or union), expands living spaceIncreased Hitler’s popularity because of his acts of

defianceWestern European governments adopt a policy of

APPEASEMENT Giving into the demands of an aggressor in order to keep

peace

Italy – Mussolini’s Actions1935 – Italy invades

Ethiopia, located in northeastern Africa

Ethiopians had outdated weapons, could not keep up with tanks, machine guns, etc.

Ethiopian King Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations for help

League had no military or enforcement power, Italy conquers in 1936

Japan – led by military leaders, believed they needed new lands to create an empire1931 – Japan

invades Manchuria, section of China (see map)

League of Nations criticizes their actions, Japan withdraws from the organization

Their aggression goes unchecked

European Dictators Venn DiagramUsing the handout provided, complete the

Venn Diagram using the text/readings completed from the prior 2 days.

Each section must have 5-6 items and have clear details from the resources utilized in class.

Use the remaining class time. If you do not finish, please complete for HW, due on Friday.

Any questions, please let me know and I can assist.

Why did they appease Hitler and other aggressors? A few reasons…Great Depression – US/European countries had

significant economic problems to deal withPeople are tired of war…think World War IFaith in compromise, misread Hitler’s intentions

Germany, Italy, Japan – team up to form the Axis PowersAll agreed to not interfere with territorial expansion

Video clip please!

Germany’s Final Demand – The SudetenlandArea of Czechoslovakia with 3 million native Germans

Munich Conference, September 1938.Main Players:

Germany – Adolf HitlerFrance – Edouard DaladierGreat Britain – Neville Chamberlain

British/French cave into Hitler’s demands, persuade the Czechs to surrender the Sudetenland without a fight.

In exchange, Hitler promises Britain/France that he is done expanding…known as the MUNICH PACT - Video

Guess what happens next…?

Germany – Hitler restores GermanyRebuilds economy/military in defiance of Versailles

TreatyNeeded “Lebensraum” or living space for his

peopleTroops occupy the Rhineland/Saar regions from the

French

Italy – Mussolini invades Ethiopia

Japan – attacks Manchuria (part of China) for its natural resources, railroad links/coastal areas

Germany’s Aggression - Rhineland/Saar Region

League of Nations Response – NONE!Had no real power/no militaryOnly as strong as its member nations (US is not a

part)

Britain/France use a policy of appeasementGranting concessions to a potential enemy in the

hope it will maintain peaceBackfires/allows aggressive nations to continue their

expansionWhy appeasement?

Memories of WWIThreat of Soviet Union/communism (Stalin)Domestic issues – Great Depression!

Hitler continuesSpring 1938 – brings Austria into his Reich or State

Creates a union called an “Anschluss”Sets sights on Sudetenland, area of Czechoslovakia

largely populated by Germans

Munich ConferenceMeeting between Britain, France where they

appeased GermanyBritish PM – Neville ChamberlainFrench Premier – Edouard Daladier

Sacrificed Sudetenland to preserve the peace

Neville Chamberlain/Adolf Hitler – Munich Pact/Sudetenland Map

You are the foreign relations adviser to Neville Chamberlain, British prime minister, at the Munich Conference. You have your suspicions regarding Hitler’s actions in Europe and disagree with Chamberlain’s policy of APPEASEMENT.

Utilizing the information provided, send a formal letter/memo to Chamberlain about your concerns. In two paragraphs, state the following:1. How appeasement can lead to war down the road2. Your alternative to appeasement, what

policy/actions do you think will work best? BE SPECIFIC.

Due by the end of class…Good luck!

Summer 1939 – Stalin negotiating with HitlerSign the Nazi/Soviet Non-Aggression Pact –

agreement both sides would not attack each other

9/1/39 – Nazi forces storm into Poland in the form of a “blitzkrieg” or “lightning war” (think blitz in football)Utilized tank/airpower to devastate

The Luftwaffe (Air Force) bombed airfields, factories, and cities

As a result, Britain/France declare war on Germany

Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, JapanAllied Powers – Britain, FranceGermany continues “blitz” Europe, set eyes on

FranceNazis conquer British/French troops, force them to

flee back to Britain from port city of Dunkirk

Nazis now in control of France, conquer Paris

Germans take aim at Britain – Battle of BritainLuftwaffe shower bombs over London for 57 nights in a rowLondon destroyed but did not break as the Royal Air Force

(RAF) battledBritain ultimately prevails and the setbacks for Hitler begin

After loss in Battle of Britain, Hitler breaks Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin, invades Soviet UnionHowever, German advance stalls. WINTER IN THE

SOVIET UNION destroys Nazi ArmyStalin joins the side of the Allies

Japan’s Aggression Continues in the PacificUS leaders ban sale of oil, war material, limits Japan’s ability

to expandJapan begins its preparation for war

General Hideki Tojo plans Pearl HarborSunday, December 7th, 1941US declares war on Japan, joins the Allies

With your partner, create 3 headlines on the attack of Pearl Harbor.

Remember as editors of a newspaper, your goal is to sell content. Brainstorm and settle on 3 and a vote will be conducted in class on the best 1.

1.2.3.

Lastly, select your best headline, have 1 person from your group write it neatly on the board.

Make sure you put both your names underneath and we will put to a class vote.

Day 1 – What to do!1. COMMUNICATE: Determine who is doing what:

Minimum of 2 researchersMinimum of 2 Layout designers

Research and select your 10 Battles (choose wisely) Reference your notes/textbook (pages listed in the project sheet), Create a UNIQUE TITLE

Include date, brief description (who’s involved/outcome) for each battle

Review YOUR TIMELINE DRAFT as a group, finalize and commence work on final draft

Everyone should be working toward the final product

Day 2 – What to do!1. COMMUNICATE: Discuss as a group what needs

to get done.Confirm your research, ensure its accuracy and

that it is well-writtenWork on your visual, add title, use color, etc.

2. Each entry should have date, brief description (who’s involved/outcome) for each battle

3. Review YOUR TIMELINE RUBRIC as a group, finalize and prepare for submission (you will submit both timeline/rubric)

4. Everyone should be working toward the final product. If you find yourself idle, please ask your teammates how you can help.

To achieve “total war” once again, governments increased their political powerDirected economic resources to the war,

RATIONING SUPPLIES, sale of war bonds, prices/wages were fixed

Allies won on four fronts – Pacific, North Africa/Italy, Soviet Union, France

D-Day Assault – Normandy, France156k Allied troops, advance to Paris, free France in

two monthsView “Saving Private Ryan”

March 1945 – Allies cross into western Germany, Soviets move into eastern GermanyMussolini executed before fleeing to SwitzerlandHitler commits suicide as Soviets enter BerlinGermany surrenders, May 7, 1945

Fight in the PacificMid 1942 – Japan controls SE Asia and many Pacific

IslandsBattle of Midway/Coral Sea, US now takes offensive

US uses island-hopping campaign to recapture Japanese held islandsWould use islands for airfields, ship supplies, rest

soldiers, etc.

Japanese demonstrate they would fight to the deathKamikaze pilots – crash airplanes into American warshipsMilitary leaders had to figure out, invasion or atomic weapon?

Manhattan Project – American scientists conduct research on atomic weaponUS President Truman’s Decision

Determined it would save American/Allied livesJapanese ignore warnings, US drops two bombs, first on

Hiroshima, second on Nagasaki

Your TurnOne of the most controversial turning points in

history was the decision made by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to use atomic weapons on Japan, the lone remaining Axis Power at the conclusion of World War II.

In your opinion, was the decision to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a military NECESSITY? Provide at minimum of two reasons for your position. 3-4 sentence minimum.

Since 1933, Nazis denied Jews rights of citizenship (Nuremberg Laws) & committed acts of brutality (Kristallnacht)Step toward Hitler’s “Final Solution”

Systematic extermination of all Jews living in the regions controlled by the Nazis

Hitler’s use of the “Concentration Camp”Designed to turn them into useful members of the

Nazi PartyImprisoned political components, labor leaders and

other undesirables (Gypsies, homosexuals, beggars, physically-mentally disabled)

Viewing of Band of Brothers – Holocaust Episode.

On index card provided, answer the following.

1. Describe the landscape and the people in the concentration camp. Were the images that you saw what you expected? Explain your answer in 2 sentences.

2. How did the prisoners treat American soldiers? What specifically did they do to illustrate their feelings?

Your TurnUsing the provided handout and notes from class,

determine whether you would have used an atomic weapon to end the war with Japan.

In your essay, complete a 3 paragraph essay answering the following questions:1. Would you have used the bomb and why? Provide

specific reasons on your decision.2. Would you have provided more time to the

Japanese government to respond after the first bomb? Why or why not? Indicate your reasoning.

3. What is an alternative to dropping an atomic weapon? What would have your decision been of the atomic weapon was not available?