WHY WWII

Why do you think World War II happened?

Why do we think its so important?

Emergence of World War II

Italy

Benito Mussolini founds the fascist partyFascism: An aggressive nationalistic movement

that considered the nation more important the than the individual.

Mussolini uses the fear of communism to rise to power, he promised employment and protection of the middle class.

As he rises in power the king of Rome is convinced to make Mussolini Premier.

Russia

Vladimir Lenin: Establishes the communist party , and makes Russia the Union of Soviet Republicans.(USSR)

The Communist party was a one party system that was known to suppress individual liberties and punish opponents.

Once Lenin died there was a power struggle over who should control the party.

Germany

On your own read pages 684 to 685What does the growing Nazi party in Germany

stand for?What points did Hitler make in his book “Mien

Kampf”

Hitler’s Germany

Hitler was known for being anticommunist, as well an admirer of Mussolini

Hitler will use the failing German economy to rise to power.

Leads to the formation of the NAZI party, who believed in an anti communist agenda and believed that Germany should expand its territory

Mein Kampf

In 1923 the Nazi’s tried to seize power the plan failed and Hitler was arrested.

While in Prison Hitler wrote the book Mien Kampf meaning my struggle

In the book he stated that Germans with blond hair and blue eyes belonged to a master race.

He believed Germany needed space and believed expanding into Poland

After Prison Hitler would rise to power.

Japan

Read page 685How was Japan affected by the ailing economy of the

world?What does the Japanese military believe will lead to

the success of Japan?

What happens in Manchuria?

Japan and Manchuria

Japan was not making enough money off its exports to cover its imports.

As other countries began to suffer they increased fur thing Japan’s economic downfall.

Japan’s military blamed corrupt politicians for their downfall. The military believed the best way to improve Japan’s economy was to invade Manchuria

The Neutrality act

Under the Neutrality act made it illegal to sell arms to any country at war.

It was the hope that this action would keep the United States out of any foreign war.

Formation of the Axis powers

After the Spanish Civil War Germany and Italy decided to cooperate on international issues

The pact required that the countries exchange information about communist groups

Japan would eventually join them.

Internationalism

While this is occurring FDR is beginning to take office. He considers ending the depression to be his first

priorityHe does believe action is needed on some foreign

problemsInternationalism: The idea that trade between

nations helps prevent war.FDR believed that the U.S. should try and keep the

peace.

America First Committee

A group that formed as Roosevelt pushed the country towards aiding Britain in the war with Germany and the axis powers.The group pushed for the continuation of isolationism and were up set by FDR’s foreign policy ideas. Charles Lindberg was an impotant member of the group.

Lend Lease Act

As Britain fell farther into danger they asked America for help.

The U.S. passed the Lend Lease Act

The act stated the U.S. could lend weapons to any country vital to U.S. defense.This allowed America to sell Britain weapons as long as they paid the money back.

Hemispheric Defense Zone

America pushed that the Western Hemisphere was neutral zone including America. The U.S. Navy would then patrol the Atlantic Ocean for German submarines.

Atlantic Charter

FDR also started an organization to assure peace after WWII. The Atlantic charter was meant to push free trade, freedom of the seas, and non aggression between countries.

15 countries that were against the axis powers signed into the organization.