Origins of the Second World War - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Origins of the Second World WarSlide2

This is the single most important event of the 20th

Century.

World History will forever change due to this war.The World is not settled following World War I.Many issues of the First World War remain unsolvedThe world does not learn its lesson following WWIHitler is not solely responsible for this war.The U.S. plays a part in this war, but we are not the only players.

Why Do We Need To Know Why World War II Happened?Slide3

Treaty of Versailles and the End of World War I

Following WWI the great powers meet at Versailles in France to negotiate peace terms.

The Allied powers, Great Britain, France, Italy, United States, & Japan work to settle the terms for peace.Notably the Central powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire are not present.The allies barred them from negotiating peace.Slide4

Aftermath of the Treaty of Versailles

The Central Powers are forced to take harsh terms

Germany must take blame for starting the warPay massive war reparations to the alliesLoss of territoryUnable to create a military that can project past German borders

The other Central Powers were forced to do much the same.

This causes the dissolution of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman EmpireSlide5

The World Before and After WWISlide6

Wilson and the 14 points

President Wilson vowed when he declared war that the U.S.’s intentions were to “make the world safe for democracy.”

Wilson came to Versailles armed with his 14 Points proposal to make the world safe.Most notably he wanted: Self-determination, Freedom of the Seas and a League of NationsSlide7

Europe Reacts to the 14 points

While the allied powers claimed to like the points made by Wilson, their actions told a different story

U.K. and France did not allow self-determination in their colonies. In fact they expanded their coloniesThe victors began to rearm for the next conflictSlide8

The U.S. Reacts to the Treaty of Versailles

Wilson claimed “"at last the world knows America as the savior of the world!“ upon coming home.

Wilson thought this would be a no brainer.Congress does not think like WilsonThe Republicans, led by Henry Cabot Lodge did not agree with Wilson.

Specifically they did not agree with the League of Nations

Many thought the League would have too much power over the U.S.

The U.S. never ratifies the Treaty.

Wilson works until his death trying to persuade Americans it was the right thing to do.Slide9

American Isolationism

Upon the election of Republican Warren G. Harding, the U.S. refused to have anything to do with foreign countries.

Harding called for a “return to normalcy.”A return to American ways before the Progressive Era.Without the U.S. the League of Nations would never be an effective organization.The U.S. even signs its own peace settlement with Germany in 1921

Knox-Porter Resolution

Because the U.S. came through the war economically stronger than before Americans are mostly worried about American issues.Slide10

Another Possible War

World War I does not bring an end to conflict among the allies.

Britain and France are rearming and looking towards one another for enemies.The U.S. feels it will be forced to fight a war with Britain for global dominance.Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes calls a meeting of the 5 major naval powers in Washington D.C. to discuss arms limitations

Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan & United States

The U.S. & Britain get more favorable terms than the other three

Japan and Italy will carry this defeat with them while they arm themselves for the next conflictSlide11

The Weimar Republic

Following the abdication of the throne by Keiser Wilhelm II a quasi-democratic republic is est. in the city of Weimar, Germany

Germany would face numerous calamities due to restrictions from the Versailles Treaty and economic depression.Germany would not only lose overseas colonies but territory inside Germany.Most distressing to Germans was the occupation of the Rhineland.

The industrial heart of German was to be occupied by the allies

To gain reparations for war damages France stripped Germany of a good deal of industrial resources and equipment.Slide12

Weimar Military

Germany was also prohibited from having a large military

No more than 100,000 troopsNo tanksNo AircraftOnly a small defensive NavyThe allies wanted to make sure Germany could not project force again.

There was, however a silver lining

Only the best and most select troops were recruited

Armored cars were allowed

The German military became innovative in the use of radios and fast attack tacticsSlide13

The Weimar Economy

Possibly the worst calamity to hit Germany was economic depression and hyperinflation.

Because Germany had no goods to sell it had no moneyTo combat this the government simply printed more money, which became worthlessThe country would have collapsed if help was not granted.1923 American banker Charles Dawes devises a plan to help reduce German debt and revive its economy

New loans help rebuild German economy, for a time.

France is angered by this and reoccupies the Ruhr Valley to protest.Slide14

Italian Fascism

Fascism is a totalitarian form of government which:

Glorifies the state

Has one leader and one party

All aspects of society are controlled by the government

No opposition or protests are tolerated

Propaganda and censorship are widely practiced

Benito Mussolini came to power in 1922 and helped found the political ideology of fascism. He sided with the Axis powers in 1940.

Fascists gained their name from the fasces of the Roman Empire

This is because their goal was to rebuild the Roman EmpireSlide15

Global Depression

After WWI many European economies were unstable.

The boom in the U.S. throughout the 1920s helped sustain worldwide trade.

The 1929 stock market crash in the U.S. and the resulting Great Depression spread throughout the world. U.S. restrictive tariff policies worsened the depression.

As economies plummeted and unemployment rose, many people turned to powerful leaders and governments who promised success through military buildup and the conquest of territory.

Communism and Fascism seem to be more stable options for government than the democratic-capitalists of the westSlide16

Rise of the Nazi Party

Election date

Votes in millions

Share

May 20, 1928

0.81

2.6%

September 14, 1930

6.41

18.3%

July 31, 1932

13.75

37.3%

November 6, 1932

11.74

33.1%

March 5, 1933

17.28

43.9%

Voting for Hitler’s party increased as unemployment rates roseSlide17

Nazi-ism and Anti-Communism

Under communism, all means of production are controlled by the government, as are property, the media, and all other aspects of society.

The 1930s saw the rise of many totalitarian regimes; but most people chose fascism over communism.

Hitler exploited people’s fear of a communist takeover in Germany to rise to power in 1933.Slide18

Communist Scares

Vladimir Lenin took control of Russia during WWI.

With the assassination of the Royal family the Bolsheviks were free to take control of the first communist stateSoviets did wish to spread communism outside of their countryThe use of comintern

This fear in America came to be known as the Red Scare in the early 1920s

As global depression worsened many people across the globe began to gravitate towards or away from communism.Slide19

Nazis Take Control of Germany

While in jail for an attempted coupe called the

Bierhal Putsch, Hitler writes his autobiography and outline for the Nazi Party called Mein Kampf “My Struggle.”In 1933 Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany

Most German politicians think they can control Hitler and that his would be their pawn.

Many Germans were drawn to Hitler and the Nazis because they vowed to bring back German pride and greatness

Thanks to a suspicious fire in the Reichstag later that year Hitler consolidated his power

Blaming Communists and Jews for the fire he rallied Germans to the Nazi Cause

By mid July of 1933 all other political parties were outlawed and Hitler was named

Fürer

of the ReichSlide20

Resurgence in German Pride

Nazis preached of a super race of humans which present Germans had descended.

These were called AryansHitler wanted to put this on display in 1936 during the Berlin OlympicsThat same year Hitler orders the Rhineland to be reoccupied German now vows to rearm!

Many global leaders only thought Hitler was simply restoring pride to a proud nationSlide21

The Spanish Civil War

Civil War broke out in Spain between pro-Republic and Nationalist forces

Nationalists were backed by Germany and ItalyBoth gave money and military supportThe Republicans were backed by the Soviet Union which could only give financial supportWhile Republicans pleaded with the Western Democracies for help they refused for fear of starting another World War

Nationalist forces led by Francisco Franco win the war in 1939

The Spanish War is a “test run” for Axis forces in World War II.

The bombing of GuernicaSlide22

Japan and Militarism

Japan has been expanding its imperial goals in the far east since the early 1930s.

Invasion of Manchuria in 1931Desire for a Pan-Asian EmpireInvade China in 1937Following a brutal campaign in China the angry Japanese Army take out their rage on the Chinese residents of Nanking

The Rape of NankingSlide23

German Expansion & the Policy of Appeasement

The Nazis preached a policy of Lebensraum- “Living room”

With this idea the Germans were looking to the east in Czechoslovakia, Austria and PolandHitler claimed he wanted to unite ALL German people in EuropeThe first push into expansion came with Austria

The

Anschluss

Germany popularly annexed Austria into the Third Reich in 1938

Following that Hitler demanded land from Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland

Western delegates from Britain, France and the U.S. met with Hitler in Munich, Germany to discuss the crisis

The Western governments, led by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appeased Hitler. Meaning they granted Germany the Sudetenland to avoid war.

Chamberlain claims we have made “peace in our time.”

That will not last long.Slide24

German Aggression

Hitler moves fast in consolidating ALL of Czechoslovakia.

The Western democracies were fooled by Hitler.They all rush to revive their lagging militaries.Hitler sends a battle ship to the port of Danzig in Poland in August of 1939Under the ploy of a good-will mission German sends a battleship to the city

On September 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland

France and Britain declare war on Germany

The war has begun