Download THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR II

THE ROAD TO
WORLD WAR II
THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR II
World War Two began on September 1,
1939 with the invasion of Poland by
Germany. But, the war’s origins can be
traced all the way back to the Versailles
Treaty. Really though, it is Hitler’s rise to
power that starts to put Europe on the
road to war. Could he have been stopped
prior to 1939? If so, when should other
countries have done something?
THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR II
That is what you are going to decide!
Look at each situation you are given and
decide what the appropriate response
would have been by other European
countries. Be sure to defend your
answers.
ACTION OR INACTION?
Action: What type and how?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Warning
Economic Sanctions/boycott
Conference between nations
League of Nations involvement
5. Declaration of war by a single nation
6. Declaration of war by an alliance of nations
OR
Inaction: Explain why?
•
•
•
It is not your business/don’t care
The action is not wrong
The action does not affect your nation
You must pick
one of these
choices for
each situation
given.
1931- Japan invades Manchuria
(the northeastern part of China).
They want a larger empire such as yours (you
are the British government). They are highly
industrialized and need places from which to
get raw materials. Since the end of WWI, you
(Britain), France, and even the U.S. have
become very pacifistic. War is not something
you want again. And, the depression hit in
1929, so this could be a waste of money you
cannot afford. But, doing nothing could set a
bad tone. How do you respond?
1933 Hitler pulls Germany out of
the League of Nations
Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany. You
have heard of him and the NAZI party. They
were always a fringe group but that is no
longer the case. And, there are some people
in Britain who think that Hitler is good for
Germany. Soon after coming to power Hitler
pulls Germany out of the League of Nations.
They were required to be members by the
Versailles Treaty. What should Britain’s
reaction be?
1935 Italy Invades Ethiopia
• Italy invaded Ethiopia on the eastern coast of
Africa to improve their imperialist position (get
colonies). Hitler supported the actions of
Mussolini leading to the Rome-Berlin Axis (and
soon Tokyo). The Italian army was far more
powerful. Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian king,
appealed to the League of Nations for help.
Sanctions were placed on Italy for violations of
international law but the sanctions were not
enforced.
1935 Hitler Begins to Re-arm
Germany
Hitler announces his decision to begin rearming Germany in violation of the Versailles
Treaty. You (the British), the French, and
others are not happy with this news. But, what
can you do? The thought of war does not
appeal to you or your citizens and frankly,
many people felt the Versailles Treaty was
unfair towards Germany. Besides, you are in
the middle of a depression and Hitler is a good
defense against Communism. What should
your reaction be towards Germany?
1936 Hitler re-militarizes
Rhineland
Hitler begins re-militarizing the Rhineland
(it borders France) in direct violation of
the Versailles Treaty. The French are
mad but the Rhineland was formerly
German Territory. Keep in mind the
depression and the feeling of pacifism in
Britain. What should the British reaction
be?
1938 Anschluss
Hitler announces a formal union between
Germany and Austria (under Hitler’s leadership
of course). Hitler wants to unite all the
German speaking people in Europe and this
goes a long way towards achieving that goal.
The Austrian people did “vote” on this but to
the British and others such a union does
appear threatening. What should the British
reaction be? And, yes, the depression is still
going on and Hitler is a good blockade against
Communism but this is threatening.
1938 Hitler demands
Sudetenland
Hitler uses the German army to invade the
Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) to unite
German speaking people there with their
“homeland”. The British Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain is going to meet with Hitler in
Munich over the matter. What should he say
to Hitler? Keep in mind the depression,
pacifism, and the fact that Hitler is a good
defense against Communism.
1938-1939
Hitler takes Czechoslovakia
Hitler invades the rest of
Czechoslovakia. What should be done?
1939 Hitler invades Poland
Hitler is re-taking what was formerly
German territory. The Poles did the best
they could trying to stop German tanks
with mounted cavalry. What should be
done?