World War II begins

“dress rehearsal”–Guernica Massacre

• During the Spanish civil war, Francisco Franco (Spanish fascist leader) agrees to allow Germany to test a new fighter plan on the village of Guernica.

• The result is:*1937 the Germans test weapons on small Spanish town – 1,600 Spaniards are massacred. The German planes work.

Roosevelt’s response:

• Roosevelt spoke in Chicago and his response was countries must stay united. However, America believed in that notion of isolationism

• **European countries not ready to stop aggression in Europe.

Giving into the demands of an aggressor to keep the peace.

the powers of Europe (and League of Nations) will adopt this policy when it comes to these dictators (Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo).

APPEASEMENT

Violations of Treaty …

Hitler FIRST violates the treaty by…..

• 1935: Hitler starts to rebuild the military Starts development of the V2 rocket, Jet fighters and other Hi-tech projects.

• What does the league of nations do?Nothing

1936• March 1936: moves German troops into the

Rhineland (area of Germany west of the Rhine river). Violates the treaty.

• What does the league of nations do? • Nothing

1938

March 1938 - Hitler moves German troops into Austria citing German/Austrian heritage.

Anchluss “union of Austria and Germany”

* violated Treaty of Versailles(What does the league of nations do?) Nothing

German troops march into Austria on March 12, 1938

Next Czechoslovakia

Munich ConferenceSeptember 1938 -

Munich Conference Hitler annexes the Sudetenland and promised not to expand any further…..

Neville Chamberlain the British Prime Minister champions this agreement as PEACE in OUR DAY !!!!

BUT ….Some people saw what was coming…..

August 13, 1941

Hitler breaks Munich promise

3. March 1939 – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia.

The Leagues response?Do nothing….

Berkeley Daily Californian, March 16, 1939

Nazi-Soviet Pact

• Non-aggression pact with Stalin–Agreed not to fight if the other

went to war.–Divide up Poland and other parts

of E. Europe

• BUT what about Hitler and Stalin…they HATED each other!!!!

Poland is Divided• Germany wanted Western Poland.• Soviets wanted Eastern Poland.

World War 2 Begins. September 1939 – Hitler invades Poland, two

days later Britain and France declare war on Germany.

German “Blitzkrieg” comprised of bombings by German planes, then fast moving tanks and troops.

Maginot Line• A walled fortification on the border of France

and Germany. The French feel this will protect them. Uh…..oh….

US moves closer to War

• Roosevelt has US stay neutral but wants to help out the Allies:

–US could sell arms to the allies–Approved greater spending–Set up draft

US moves closer to War

–FDR runs form a 3rd term-breaks 2 term tradition.–Congress passes Lend Lease Act-

loan of war material to the British –Tanks, goods , airplanes

–US sets up an embargo to stop trading with Japan

Day that will live in Infamy

• December 7th 1941-attack on Pearl Harbor