Dictators and Pre-War Aggression

Chapter 19, Section 1

Aftermath of WWI

Following WWI, the Treaty of Versailles laid out the groundwork for post-war society.

However, Germany (who was blamed for WWI) was not present at the treaty’s negotiations and was very bitter because of the terms. Many countries viewed democracy as a

negative aspect of society, so totalitarian governments rose up around the world.

Soviet Union

Joseph Stalin took over the Communist Party in the Soviet Union following the death of Vladimir Lenin. ‘Stalin’ translates to ‘man of steel’

and that accurately described Stalin’s leadership style.

He promoted state-run industries, and was not afraid to kill off his opposition. Fear and propaganda helped to keep

Stalin in power.

Italy

Italy, although on the ‘winning’ side of WWI, did not acquire new land and was crippled by the economic depression.

Benito Mussolini emerged as leader of the Fascist Party– an organization that promoted nationalism. Mussolini maintained power by

outlawing political parties, taking over the press , creating a secret police, indoctrinating the young and suppressing strikes.

Germany

The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, grew out of the economic depression of the 1930s. He outlined his goals in his manifesto

Mein Kampf. Specifically, he targeted the Jewish

population. Many people believed Hitler and the

Nazi Party could solve Germany’s economic problems. The power given to Hitler by the people

allowed him to target populations he viewed negatively.

Japan and Spain

The Spanish Civil War lead to the emergence of Francisco Franco as a military leader. With the support of Hitler and Mussolini,

Spain soon turned Fascist. Japan, although not totalitarian, had

no strong leader. This allowed the military to control the

country, promoting expansion into Europe.

Military leaders like Hideki Tojo.

Britain and France had taken a policy of appeasement towards Hitler– where concessions (allowances) were granted in the hopes of maintaining peace. Hitler had wanted to acquire the

Sudentenland, a part of Czechoslovakia where many Germans lived.

Britain and France granted the Sudentenland to Hitler to preserve the Munich Pact– an agreement that had promoted peace and non-aggression.

Aggression Begins in Europe

Roosevelt Opposes Aggression When Japan continued to move from

neighboring Manchuria into China, Roosevelt condemned their actions in his ‘Quarantine Speech’. He lamented the aggression of Japan, who

had never issued a declaration of war. In Dec. 1937, Japanese soldiers captured

the city of Nanking and committed mass murder and mass rape on its citizens. This became known as the Rape of Nanking.

Roosevelt’s Quarantine Speech “When an epidemic of physical disease starts to

spread, the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease… War is a contagion, whether it be declared or undeclared. It can engulf states and peoples remote from the original scene of hostilities. We are determined to keep out of war, yet we cannot insure ourselves against the disastrous effects of war and the dangers of involvement.”

War Erupts in Europe

In response to the Nazi-Soviet Non-agression Pact, Britain and France realized they had to take action.

When Germany turned their attention towards Poland, they employed a new technique known as blitzkreig– lightening war. On September 1st, 1939, Germany

invaded Poland and WWII had begun.

War Erupts in Europe

As Germany continued to move throughout Europe, they soon attempted to conquer the powerhouses of France and Britain. France fell within 35 days– their forces were no

match for the German tanks. When Germany looked to attack Britain,

they were ready. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) vs. the

German Luftwaffe damaged many British properties in its month-long bombing campaign. But, Hitler called off the raid.

War Erupts in Europe

As the war progressed into 1941, there were two definitive sides– the Axis Powers and the Allies. The Axis Powers included Germany,

Italy and Japan, and other conquered countries.

The Allies consisted of Britain and France. (eventually, other countries would join, such as the U.S., Soviet Union and China)

Americans Debate Involvement

Although Roosevelt was inclined to join forces with Winston Churchill and Britain, the majority of Americans wanted to remain neutral. The severe economic crisis and the

cost (both financially and in lives) of WWI pushed Americans more towards an isolationist standpoint.

Americans Debate Involvement Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts

in 1935, 1936 and 1937, limiting the power of Roosevelt.

The Neutrality Act of 1939 did allow for the U.S. to implement a ‘cash-and-carry’ policy. This policy allowed nations at war to buy

American goods and arms, as long as they paid cash and carried them away on their own.

Since the British navy dominated, this benefited the Allies.

Americans Debate Involvement Events in Europe continued to sway

American opinion towards involvement. Reports from Edward R. Murrow during the

bombing of Britain shocked American viewers. The growth of the war in Europe was

solidified when Japan, Italy and Germany signed the Tripartite Pact– formally declaring themselves as Allies. The U.S. realized the war would last much longer,

and its allies were in danger, so they passed a Selective Service Act, starting a peacetime draft.

America Takes Steps Towards War

Once Roosevelt was re-elected, he began pushing more for American intervention.

In his address to Congress on January 6th, 1941, Roosevelt gave his famous Four Freedoms speech, which declared that Freedom from want; Freedom of speech; Freedom of worship; Freedom from fearwere threatened by Nazi and Japanese aggression.

America Takes Steps Towards War

When Britain ran out of money to purchase goods via the cash-and-carry policy, the U.S. came to their aid.

The Lend-Lease Act gave Roosevelt the power to “sell, lease, exchange, lend, or otherwise dispose of… defense articles… necessary in the defense of the U.S.” The U.S. was the arms supplier, keeping

democracy safe around the world. It was an “arsenal for democracy”.

America Takes Steps Towards War

Even though the U.S. had not formally entered the war, they were still actively supporting the Allies.

When Churchill and Roosevelt met secretly in August 1941, they signed a mutual agreement preserving “general security” and self-determination. This agreement would become known as

the Atlantic Charter.