Introduction to WWII

Which candidate will you choose?

On a Spring evening in the early 1930s during the Great Depression, you are one of thousands of Germans gathered at an outdoor stadium in Munich. You are unemployed; your country is suffering. Like everyone else, you have come to this mass meeting to hear two politicians campaigning for office Huge speakers blare out patriotic music, while you and the rest of the crowd wait impatiently for the speeches to begin. Before long, you will cast your ballot.

Remember Germany’s long and glorious past

Replace out present indecisive leadership with a strong decisive leader

Rebuild army to protect against enemies

Regain the lands taken unfairly from us

Make sacrifices to return to economic health

Put the welfare of the state above all, and our country will be a great power again

First Candidate’s Platform Second Candidate’s Platform Realize that there are no simple or

quick solutions to problems

Put people back to work, but economic recovery will be slow

Provide for the poor, elderly and sick

Avoid reckless military spending

Act responsibly to safeguard democracy

Be a good neighbor country; honor our debts and treaty commitments

1. What strategy does each candidate have for solving the nations problems?

2. Which candidate makes the stronger appeal to the listener’s emotions?

3. Can you draw any comparisons with the 2012 election?

Setting the Stage for WWII

What were the flaws of the Treaty of Versailles? (The treaty that ended WWI)

Global Economic Turmoil

WWI left most of Europe in shambles

Many countries were left with bitter feelings and resentment

Global Depression

Germany

Lost territory

Stripped of colonies

Lost military

Had to pay $33 billion and assume fill responsibility for WWI

How does a country pay a $33 billion war debt when their country suffered such heavy losses?

Simple, they printed more money. And more money. And more money. To the point of hyperinflation.

Rapper’s Dream

Germany is bitter and wants to be a great nation again. How are they going to go about doing this?

Italy

Italy felt like they got the short end of the stick in the Treaty of Versailles

They had hoped to gain more territory in the treaty

Italy was also struggling with economic hardship and wanted to expand

How does become a great nation again?

Japan

Japan felt completely ignored by European powers and were virtually unnamed in the treaty

This fostered feelings of resentment and Japan wanted revenge

How does Japan become a great nation again?

Post WWI Crises and Resentment Led to Fascism and Dictatorships

Desperate conditions in these countries and ill feelings after WWI allowed powerful dictators to rise to power

Origins of WWII Notes Treaty of Versailles left many nations

unsatisfied and looking for more power (Germany, Italy and Japan)

Dictators rose to power promising to solve problems

Fascism: a political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism, a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one-party rule