The World Before World War II Notes

The World Before World War II

Fascism

• Fascism is a political philosophy that glorifies the nation above individuals.
• It is characterized by a centralized government headed by a dictator with a strong military.
• Fascist states control the economy and society, using force to suppress opposition.

Totalitarianism

• Totalitarianism is a system where the government is supreme, and individuals have few rights and must obey.
• Total control rests in the hands of one or a few.
• Totalitarianism gives equal priority to both economic and military planning.
• These regimes often use fear to ensure citizens' cooperation.

Totalitarianism vs. Fascism

Democracy

• Power is in the hands of the people who vote for their leaders.

Germany

• The Treaty of Versailles impacted Germany.
• The depression hits Germany in 1929, leading to:
  • High unemployment with 6 million workers unemployed.
  • Millions of homeless people.
  • Hyperinflation due to excessive printing of money to repay WWI debts and reparations.
• These conditions created a desire for change among the populace.
• Adolf Hitler:
  • A WWI veteran.
  • Arrested and wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in jail.
  • Gained popularity and was elected.
• Nazis:
  • Nationalist Socialists (country first, through government help/control).
  • Worked their way up the political ranks, leading to Hitler taking power.
• Actions taken by Hitler:
  • Built over 1 million homes for Germans.
  • Reduced unemployment from 6 million to 1 million (mainly war industry jobs).
  • Banned interest and wanted to move away from privatized banks (interest rates were near 30% in some cases), which led to anti-Jewish propaganda.
  • Denounced the Treaty of Versailles and rebuilt the German military.
  • Wanted to reclaim lands.

Imperialism

• Examples of countries expanding.
• The USA expanded with:
  • Philippines
  • Puerto Rico
  • Samoa
  • Hawaii
• The British Empire colonized:
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Pakistan/India
  • Parts of Africa
  • Canada
  • 13 colonies
• The French Colonial Empire included:
  • French Oceania
  • French Western Africa
  • French Indochina
  • And other dependencies

Italy

• Benito Mussolini (Il Duce).
• Overthrew the monarchy (King Victor Emmanuel III) and took power.
• Appointed Prime Minister.
• Expanded territories by invading Ethiopia.
• Added to the "Italian empire" colonies of Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia.

Japan

• Poor in land for agriculture and natural resources.
• Unhappy with being dependent on other countries like the U.S.
• Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931.
• The U.S. was unhappy but did little.
• The U.S. loaned money to China and asked people in the U.S. not to buy silk.

Alliances

• A union or association of nations set up to further the common interests of its members.
• Germany, Italy, and Japan set up the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis (Alliance).

Spanish Civil War (1936-39)

• Two sides:
  • Republican government.
  • Nationalists led by Francisco Franco.
• Mussolini and Hitler sent airplanes and soldiers to support Francisco Franco (pro-monarchy - fascist).
• The Soviet Union supported the democratically elected government.
• This was a prelude to WWII, with the Soviets helping a democratic government while Axis powers helped a dictator.
• Great Britain, France, and the U.S. remained neutral.
• 3,000 U.S. citizens fought for the elected government, marking the first battle against Fascism.

Treaty of Versailles Violations

• Hitler wanted to strengthen Germany's military.
• Germany remilitarized the Rhineland in 1936, violating the Treaty of Versailles, but Great Britain and France did nothing.
• Hitler wanted a “Greater Germany” and declared Austria as part of Germany in March 1938; again, Great Britain and France did nothing.
• Germany reclaimed the German-populated Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in 1938, justifying it as defending German-speaking people from Czech oppression.

Non-Aggression Pact (August 23, 1939)

• Germany and the Soviet Union signed a secret agreement not to attack each other.
• Germany would claim Poland, and the Soviet Union would claim Lithuania.
• Hitler's reasoning: He had secret plans of attacking and invading countries so he didn’t want to worry about the Soviet Union.

Appeasement

• A policy of giving in to the demands of a hostile power in order to avoid conflict and maintain peace.

Munich Conference (September 1938)

• Britain, France, and Germany met.
• Hitler promised to make no further territorial demands in all of Europe.
• British Prime Minister Chamberlain was seen as appeasing Germany.
• However, 6 months after the Munich Conference, Germany took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Germany Invades Poland

• Hitler wanted more land for German people and to reclaim land lost after WWI.
• September 1, 1939: Cities bombed, initiating Blitzkrieg (lightning war).
• In 6 weeks, Germany (and Russia) conquered Poland.
• Britain and France declared war, but there was a "phony war" with almost no fighting for 6 months.