APUSH 3/13/2025 WW2 Beginning

The Rise of Nationalism and the Role of Immigrants in WWII

• Immigrant Perspectives

  • New immigrants from Eastern Europe witnessed their home countries in conflict and expressed a desire to engage due to two primary motivations:

    • The occupation of their homeland by foreign powers.

    • Opposition to Hitler's regime and its ideologies.

• The Impact of WWI on Germany

  • Post-WWI Desperation: Following the defeat in World War I, Germany faced extreme social and economic hardships, leading to widespread discontent.

  • The Treaty of Versailles: This peace treaty imposed severe reparations and territorial losses on Germany, contributing to national humiliation and economic instability.

  • Hyperinflation:

    • Definition: Hyperinflation is characterized by rapidly increasing prices and a devaluation of currency.

    • Consequences: As money lost value, people struggled to afford basic necessities; this economic crisis fueled support for extremist solutions.

The Scapegoating of Jewish People

• Hitler's Regime and Scapegoating

  • Adolf Hitler capitalized on economic and social strife by scapegoating Jewish communities for Germany's troubles.

  • Portrayal: Jewish individuals were depicted as the primary enemies of the state, responsible for hyperinflation and societal decline.

  • Psychological Manipulation: Amidst desperation for food and security, citizens became vulnerable to Nazi propaganda promising revival and strength.

The U.S. Stance and Isolationism

• Initiating Neutrality

  • Neutrality Act of 1935: The U.S. declared an official position of neutrality, paralleling its stance in WWI.

  • Changing Attitudes: As Nazi Germany escalated its aggression, American public opinion began to shift towards intervention, influenced by wartime atrocities.

• Political Commentary by Dr. Seuss

  • Dr. Seuss's Role: Noted for creating political cartoons that criticized the U.S. government's lack of action in WWII.

  • Assignment: Analyze two cartoons to identify common messages and differences in their presentation.

Divided American Public Opinion

• Isolationism vs. Interventionism

  • The American populace was split:

    • Some advocated for intervention against Nazi atrocities, while others supported isolation from European conflicts.

  • Many felt it was not America’s responsibility to intervene in European affairs.

European Response: The Policy of Appeasement

• Understanding Appeasement

  • Definition: Appeasement involved accepting certain grievances of Germany to avoid further conflict.

  • Key Examples: European powers allowed Germany to annex territories under the belief it would satisfy their expansionist desires.

  • Consequences: This strategy ultimately failed, as Germany continued to advance aggressively.

The Invasion of Poland

• The Munich Agreement

  • Promises Broken: European leaders convened to ensure Germany would not invade Poland after conceding regions like Czechoslovakia.

  • Trigger for War: Germany's subsequent invasion of Poland in 1939 marked the true beginning of World War II, despite earlier agreements.

The U.S. Involvement in WWII

• Catalyst for Engagement

  • U.S. remained neutral until the Pearl Harbor attack in 1942, which shifted its focus from European intervention to addressing threats from Japan.

  • Economic Interests: Tensions arose primarily from U.S. interests in resources like oil in Southeast Asia, heightening relations with Japan.

Future Assignments

• Upcoming Activity

  • Analyze primary source documents discussing isolationism and interventionism to outline three main arguments presented by various figures, including Charles Lindbergh.

  • Prepare to write a perspective paragraph comparing isolationism with interventionism.