Transcript On the Road to War

Origins of WWII
When should the U.S go to war?
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Do Now:
In your
notebook
identify
each
individual,
their
political
system,
and their
country of
origin
Origins of WWII: Directions
Now that we have discovered how these dictators/militarist came to
power, we will examine how their actions started the second World War.
This info will come from your decision making
packet OR textbook (starting on page 532.)
Again need textbook
and packet for this.
1. Write a
summary of
each event in
the “summary
of action”
section in each
box.
2. In each “what
would you do?”
box, use the
Decision-Making”
reading to provide
some ideas of how
you would respond
as one of the
leaders of the
United States.
Assume the role of FDR, and pick the
decision you think would be the best.
3. In each “what
was the response
from western
powers” box, write
a brief summary of
how Britain, France
or the United States
reacted to the
action column. Use
your textbook and
Decision-Making
reading to respond.
• Outline in black
action boxes that you
would categorize as
4. When you have
militarily/politically
completed all of the aggressive.
boxes, color-code
them to organize
your notes as
follows:
• Outline in another
color reaction boxes
that you would
categorize as weak or
demonstrating
appeasement.
This will be
completed at the end
of the activity
Germany remilitarizes & sends
troops into Rhineland
-Hitler began a military buildup and
sent troops into Rhineland, a German
region bordering France and Belgium.
-Germany broke the Treaty of
Versailles.
-Significance of action: Demonstrates
Nazi Aggression.
Response: The League of Nations did
nothing to stop Hitler. U.S stays out.
Spanish Civil War
-Civil War breaks out in Spain
1.
-Italy and Germany form an
alliance, The Rome-Berlin Axis
2.
-Significance of action: Alliance
is formed.
Response: The Western
Democracies remained neutral.
1935
Italy invades Ethiopia
-Tens of thousands of Italian soldiers invaded
Ethiopia, a weak African Nation
-Violate treaties by using poison gas
-Significance of Action: Demonstrates how weak
the League of Nations is.
Response: L.O.N responded with talk of
“collective resistance to all acts of unprovoked
aggression” but when invasion starting Italy
received no more than a slap on the wrist.
Attempted an oil embargo, but the U.S. did not
agree- supplies over 50% of the world’s oil
FDR’s Goals prior to 1936
-Germany and Italy support the
fascist rebels
1936
Slow down the world’s
drift towards war.
Keep the U.S. out of war
if one does occur.
Neutrality Acts- U.S. will
not SELL weapons to any
warring countries.
1937
Japanese troops in Nanjing (China
Proper)
-Full scale invasion of China, killing hundreds of
thousands of civilians
-Bombed the U.S.S Panay; Japan claimed it was an
accident and didn’t know it was an American Ship
-59% of Americans favor China over Japan
-Significance of action: Americans questioned
Japan’s honesty.
Response: U.S questions neutrality and aid to China
but remains neutral-FDR sends note to Japan
German Anschluss (union)
with Austria
-Germany took control of Austria
calling it “annexation” and claiming
that Austrians wanted German rule.
-Mistreatment of Austria Jews
-Significance of action: Violation of
Treaty of Versailles
Response: The U.S and the rest of the
world did nothing. FDR calls for
buildup of U.S military.
1938
Germany marches into Sudetenland (Munich
Conference)
-Hitler began massing troops on Sudetenland, a western border
Non-Aggression Pact
-Like Czech. Poland had a sizable German
speaking population.
-As tension rose in Poland, Stalin surprised
everyone by signing a non-aggression pact with
Hitler. Fascist Germany and Communist Russia
committed never to attack each other.
-Significance of action: Two powerful countries
align, Germany can attack other countries without
worry about the Soviets
Response: U.S increases aid to G.B and France
(gives them destroyers)
1939
Germany Attacks Poland & the low
countries
region of Czechoslovakia.
-1939 Poland, Denmark, Norway conquered in
weeks
-Hitler wanted this area for more “living space” and its natural
resources
-1940 France- conquered in less than a month
-Hitler tells GB and France that Sudetenland is his “last territorial
demand.” They sign the Munich agreement to avoid war.
-Significance of action: Violation of the TOV/Appeasement
Response: U.S increases defense spending, and sends planes to G.B.
FDR doesn’t think peace is possible and changes his goal to helping
the Allied powers rather than preserving peace. Gives speeches to the
American people to alert them about Germany’s actions.
-”Blitzkrieg”: lightning war
-Significance of action- Beginning of WWII:
Britain and France declare war on Germany.
Response: U.S continues to build military. FDR
sends note to Hitler asking him to stop, and
threatens embargo.
Battle of Britain
-Germany launches and air and naval raid on
Great Britain (at the same time) because
Hitler knew he couldn’t compete with Britain’s
Navy
-Britain fights back hard using radar to track
down German planes.
-Response: Cut off supplies to Japan
-Build up military (increase spending by
500%)
-Patrol Seas
-Speeches made by FDR
-Hitler calls off invasion but continues to
bomb British cities, and Britain bombs
German cities.
-Significance of action- Britain was successful
in holding off the Nazis
1940
-Response: Depression ends due to
increase in defense spending.
1941
U.S Relations with Japan
-Germany and Italy have conquered most of
Europe, including France.
-Germany invades Soviet Union
-U.S is trying to aide G.B but German submarines
are sinking ships
-Japan joins Axis powers and is steadily
conquering countries (occupying Korea and
Manchuria)
-Japan is threatening U.S territory in the
Philippines.
Color Code
When you have completed all of
the boxes, color-code them to
organize your notes as follows:
• Outline in black action boxes that you
would categorize as militarily/politically
aggressive.
• Outline in another color reaction boxes
that you would categorize as weak or
demonstrating appeasement (making
political or material concessions to an
enemy power in order to avoid conflict)
Closure: Discussion
When should the
U.S go to war?