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Buildup to World War II Mrs. Housenick US History 2/25/10 Germany Faces Economic Collapse (1920s) Germany on verge of economic collapse Had been punished harshly by Treaty of Versailles Forced to reduce military, admit guilt for war, pay 32 billion dollars in reparations! Desperate, government prints money INFLATION!!! Democratic government—Weimar Republic—too weak to do anything to fix problems. Germany Faces Economic Collapse (1920s) ctnd. US REPONSE: US goes back to isolationism, doesn’t want to get involved in European affairs US tries to mend relationship with Latin America by withdrawing troops from Haiti and Panama “Good Neighbor Policy” Same time, US insists allies pay us back ALL the money owed, couldn’t since Germany wasn’t paying them Dawes Plan—US lent money to Germany, to pay allies, to pay US (really just circling money around) London Economic Conference—US wants to continue own inflationary policy, not cooperate to stabilize currency Did increase trade with Reciprocal Trade Agreements—decrease tariff The Rise of Hitler (1934) Austrian, high school drop-out, served in German army in WWI, angry at Treaty of Versailles Joins National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) in 1921 Led an attempted uprising against government, thrown in jail Writes Mein Kampf (“My Struggle) Racist ideas of Aryan superiority, destroying inferior races Blamed Jews for Germany’s economic problems The Rise of Hitler ctnd. (1934) After jail, rebuilds Nazi party, wins majority in German congress German president asked Hitler to become chancellor 1934: Hitler declares himself Fuhrer (dictator) of Germany, establishes a fascist state Passes Nuremberg Laws against Jews Had to move to ghettos, couldn’t practice law or medicine, had to register with government and wear yellow star. Kristallnacht—(Night of Broken Glass)—Germans attacked Jewish part of town, 100s killed, 30,000 arrested or sent to camps The Rise of Hitler ctnd. (1934) US RESPONSE US focused on Depression and New Deal here at home Encouraged allies to agree to disarmament US decreases size of its military Washington Naval Treaty—creates ratio for battleships Signed Kellog-Briand Pact—62 nations condemn war, not a way to solve problems Fascism in Italy (1935) Italy also faced economic and political problems Mussolini rises to power after WWI Established fascist state—all about building Italy’s strength and military Made it a goal to take over other countries 1935 Italy invades Ethiopia and makes it an Italian colony. Wants more Fascism in Italy (1935) ctnd. US RESPONSE: Neutrality Acts (1930s)—US won’t sell weapons or supplies to any countries engaged in conflict Nye Commission—concludes WWII prompted by US bankers and war manufacturers who want to make profit Roosevelt does call for a moral embargo against Italy Encourages American businesses not to trade with Italy until it gives up land Not enforced or required! The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) Fascist party led by Francisco Franco vs. Republicans Mussolini and Hitler helped Franco Franco wins, Spain becomes fascist dictatorship (until 1970s!) Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis forms (alliance between Italy, Germany and Japan) The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) ctnd. US RESPONSE: US government takes no official position 3,000 US citizens volunteered and helped Spanish army against Franco Abraham Lincoln Brigade The Rise of Militarism in Japan (193141) Worldwide Depression brought Japan economic disaster People desperate, so group of military leaders took power promising stability Broke treaty by constructing more battleships, quit League of Nations Promise to expand Japan’s power through imperialism 1931 Japan invades Manchuria—part of China The Rise of Militarism in Japan (193141) ctnd. US REPONSE: Stimson Doctrine—US won’t recognize any land Japan takes by force Roosevelt makes Quarantine Speech—argued that US and other countries should put economic embargo on Japan No action to accompany speech Still US withdraws from Asia Tydings McDuffie Act gives Phillipines independence in 12 years US does nothing when ship Panay hit by Japanese Violation and Appeasement (1936-38) Hitler invades Rhineland, violating Treaty of Versailles Invades Austria, declares it part of Germany Next, turns his eyes on Sudetenland, part of Czechoslovakia MUNICH AGREEMENT: Britain and France agree to let Hitler take the Sudetenland, if he promises not to any more land APPEASEMENT! Violation and Appeasement (1936-38) US REPONSE: US supports Munich Pact, continues to stay neutral The Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1939) Six months after Munich, Hitler breaks promise and invades all of Czech. Announces he now wants Poland Britain promises will go to war if Hitler tries to take Poland Germany and Russia sign Nazi-Soviet Pact—neither country will attack the other Hitler now has a clear path into Poland! The Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1939) ctnd. US REPONSE: Roosevelt urged European leaders to negotiate for peace World War II Begins (1939) Hitler invades Poland Britain and France declare war on Germany Poland collapses to Germany After this, next six month of war proceeded slowly “Phony war” World War II Begins (1939) US RESPONSE: America First Committee forms—to encourage government to stay out of war Government realizes we do have to assist Britain and France in some way Begin cash and carry—Allies can buy supplies and weapons from US as long as pay cash and transport themselves. US Support of Britain (1941) By 1940, Hitler had taken over almost all of Europe, except Britain Britain is isolated and alone in fighting the Nazis Bombed constantly US Support of Britain (1941) US RESPONSE: Increase US military budget and institue a draft to prepare for war Atlantic Charter—US and Britain sign this to agree on war aims. Both say they aren’t interested in gaining territory. Lay out plans for UN Lend-Lease Act/Destroyers for Bases Deal US agreed to lend military supplies to Britain and transport them In exchange Britain gave us military bases Deal extended to Soviets as well US ships started to be attacked by Germans again Bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941) Japan saw US as a threat to their desire to control the Pacific US had begun embargo against Japan in 1940 Froze Japanese assets in US, stopped shipments of gasoline Japanese planned secret attack on US military base at Pearl Harbor to crush American naval and air power in Pacific— December 7, 1941 2,300 Americans were killed Bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941) ctnd. Congress declares war on Japan Germany and Italy declare war on US