Review Cards 12

Rise of Nazism

 Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party, believed that Germans were a superior race.

 After the Great Depression raised unemployment in Germany, the Nazis gained in popularity. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor. The German legislature gave Hitler emergency dictatorial powers after the Reichstag fire.

 All German institutions were brought under Nazi control or closed. The army took an oath of loyalty to Hitler. Opponents were sent to concentration camps or killed.

The Failure of the League of Nations and Appeasement

 The League of Nations failed to stop aggressors. It did nothing to stop Hitler from moving troops into the Rhineland, Japan from attacking Manchuria, Italy from attacking Ethiopia, or Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union from acting in the Spanish Civil War.

 Failure of Appeasement: The Western powers also failed to stop the aggressive acts of the Fascist powers. At the Munich Conference in 1938, Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler by giving him part of Czechoslovakia. Hitler concluded that the Western powers were weak and would not stop him.

World War II Begins in Europe

 Nazi Invasion of Poland: After Hitler signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact with Stalin, he ordered the invasion of Poland in September 1939 starting World War II in Europe. France and Britain then declared war on Germany.

 Blitzkrieg Warfare: Germany had developed new tactics based on the coordinated use of airplanes, tanks,

and motorized troop carriers. The rapid advance of German forces became known as Blitzkrieg (lightning warfare).

 Fall of France: In the spring of 1940, Germany attacked Denmark and Norway and marched through Holland and Belgium to defeat France. The British expeditionary force escaped at Dunkirk by sailing across the English Channel.

 “Battle of Britain”: Hitler tried to use his air force to bomb the British into submission but failed. British fighter pilots attacked German planes. Radar helped the British defend themselves by pinpointing German attacks.

U.S. Neutrality

 The Neutrality Acts of 1935–1937 were aimed at keeping the United States out of war in Europe. The first Neutrality Acts prohibited Americans from sending arms to countries at war. The Neutrality Act of 1937prohibited Americans from traveling on the ships of nations at war, but allowed Americans to sell non-military goods to countries at war on a “cash-and-carry” basis. The buyer had to pay cash and transport the goods.

 Quarantine Speech: When Japan invaded China in 1937, Roosevelt tested American public opinion with his “Quarantine Speech.” He proposed isolating nations that violated treaties and attacked civilians.

The Neutrality Act of 1939 expanded “cash-and-carry” to include the sale of arms. Roosevelt was concerned to help the Western Allies facing Nazi Germany.

 In March 1941, Roosevelt pushed the “Lend-Lease” Act through Congress: the United States could supply arms to the British, who could pay for or return them after the war.

 Four Freedoms: Roosevelt promised Americans freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion,

freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Atlantic Charter: Roosevelt met Churchill in the Atlantic in August 1941 where they agreed to the Atlantic Charter, defining their post-war goals. Roosevelt acted to protect the national security

(safety of the nation).