- Today, Dirk and James did their blog discussions about the WWII movies they watched. Dirk watched Saving Private Ryan. James watched Pearl Harbor.
Adolf Hitler - Germany
Benito Mussolini - Italy
Winston Churchill - Great Britain
Franklin D. Roosevelt - United States
Stalin - Soviet Union
Tojo - Japan
1917 - Russians and Germans are fighting in World War 1. Russia got out of World War 1 because of the Bolshevik Revolution, Communist Revolution. Became communist and changed name to Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin became the first leader of Soviet Union.
Austria-Hungary lost a lot of land in World War 1, became two different countries. Germany and Russia were the only ones still around after World War 1, a lot of land was still lost. World War 2 - Soviet Union (Russia)
Treaty of Versailles - Great Britain, Italy, France, United States were called the Big Four, sometimes called the Big Three because Italy wasn't as strong. Paris Peace Conference was held outside of Paris in the Palace of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors. 1919 - Treaty was passed to end World War 1. Wilson's 14 Points were aimed at changing everybody. All countries should disarm. All countries should be in the League of Nations. Etc. Punished Germany severely because it was all aimed at punishing Germany.
Germany Consequences
Territorial
Germany lost a lot of land to countries that surrounded them. France, Belgium, Denmark, Czechoslovakia and Poland. All of the land lost, Hitler wanted to get back.
The League of Nations also took control of Germany's overseas colonies.
Military
Germany's army was reduced to 100,000 men. The army was not allowed tanks. Germany was not allowed an air force and allowed only 6 capital naval ships and no submarines. 100,000 men were trained and then sent home. They did this many times and then brought all men back when it was time for war.
The west of the Rhineland and 50 kms east of the River Rhine was made into a demilitarized zone (DMZ). No German soldier or weapon was allowed into this zone. The Allies were to keep an army of occupation on the west bank of the Rhine for 15 years.
Financial
The loss of vital industrial territory would be a severe blow to Germany's economy. Coal from the Saar and Upper Silesia in particular was a vital economic loss.
Combined witht he financial penalties linked to reparations ($33 billion), it seemed clar to Germany that the Allies wanted nothing else but to bankrupt them.
Germany was also forbidden to unite with Austria to form one superstate.
The effect this had on Germany was it put them into a big depression.
People turned to more radical ways like communism.
General
1. Germany had to admit full responsibility for starting World War 1. This was Clause 231 - the infamous "War Guilt Clause".
2. Germany, as it was responsible for starting the war as stated in clause 231, was therefore responsible for all the war damage caused the First World War. Therefore, they had to pay reparations, the bulk of which would go to France and Belgium to pay for the damage done to both countries by the war. The figure ended up being $33 billion.
3. A League of nations was set up to keep world peace.
The German Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles
There was anger throughout Germany when the terms were made public. The Treaty became known as a Diktat - as it was being forced on them and the Germans had no choice but to sign it. Many in Germany did not want the Treaty signed. German representatives there knew that they had no choice as Germany was incapable of restarting the war again.
At first, the treaty seemed to satisfy the Big Three (US, GB, France). Allies believed it was a just peace as it kept Germany weak yet strong enough to stop the spread of communism. It kept the French border with Germany safe from another German attack and created the League of Nations that would end warfare throughout the world.
When Wilson brought the treaty back to the US Senate for ratification, the Senate refused to sign it. Why? United states did not want to be involved due to isolationism so we did not become part of the League of Nations.
Most countries ultimately were unhappy with the treaty and results of WWI. Why? Germany - felt it was unfair and put them into a depression. United States - not happy with results of World War I and felt we were pulled into the war. France - thought it was way too easier and should be tougher. Great Britain - they were most happy with it because they wanted to get Germany's economy strong again because of trade. Soviet Union - they lost a lot of land. Everyone hated each other but depended on each other at the same time. World War I left a "bad taste" in everyone's mouth. Nobody ended up being happy about it.
Weimar Republic
New democratic government set up in Germany after World War I. President is elected by the people every 7 years. The president appointed the Chancellor (Head of Government) who runs the country day to day and has to command a majority in the Reichstag. Reichstag (Parliament) elected by Proportional Representation and passed laws. The public (all men and women over 20 were allowed to vote) elected the Reichstag and the Chancellor.
Austria-Hungary lost a lot of land in World War 1, became two different countries. Germany and Russia were the only ones still around after World War 1, a lot of land was still lost. World War 2 - Soviet Union (Russia)
The Rise of the Dictators
Three Great WW II Dictators
- Adolph Hitler-Germany
- Benito Mussolini-Italy
- Iosif Dzhugashvili(Josef Stalin)
Define totalitarianism.
The leader has total control over the government and the country.
Nazism, Facism & Communism are examples of totalitarianism.
Why did totalitarianism come about in the 1920’s and 1930’s?
1. Post-war depression
- high inflation
- 1923 420 trillion marks to one US dollar
- high unemployment
- democratic governments struggled to end depression
2. New nations had no experience with democratic governments
All of these governements were used to totalitarianism governments, so the Wiemar Republic failed.
3. Democracy brought about a lot of political parties
Problems came up because there were too many and it became unfair when voting because the winner could only have gotten 20% of the votes.
4. Unhappy with the results of WW I
- Wanted revenge
Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes
1. Tried to control people of country through fear and intimidation
- secret police force and military
- controlled everything
2. Propaganda campaigns promoting the party
- press censorship and control of media
3. Educating the young in the ways of totalitarianism
- militarism, nationalism, imperialism, history of country
- preparing them for military service
- made it their number one goal to be in German army
4. Government controlled the economy
- USSR completely
- Germany and Italy partially
5. All preached about the unfairness of WW I
6. Leader became iconized
- statues and painting everywhere!
- to make people feel like they are being watched and that they need to follow the rules
Benito Mussolini’s Italy - Fascism
Fascist movement began right after WW I . . .
- people were unhappy with the results and the economy was terrible
- people were scared that the socialists might come to power so many turned to fascism including King Victor Emmaneul
- he was very worried about communism coming into his country so he turned to fascism
- everyone was scared of communism
- communists were the biggest concern
Benito Mussolini (Il Duce)
- hated the wealthy and catholic church
- mother forced him to go to catholic school
- expelled for stabbing a rich student with a pen knife
- unsuccessful elementary teaching career
- joined the socialist movement before during WWI - economic system that preaches equality - government controls businesses
- fought for Italy in WWI-injured
- got involved in Fascist movement after the war
- became the leader of the Fascist movement
- King Victor Emmanuel asked him to be premier in 1922 - to keep Communism out
- by 1926 was complete dictator of Italy
- killed political opponents - get rid of competition so they don't come after you
- realized he needed rich people
Fascist Ideas
1. Hated communism and democracy
They wanted power, they didn't want people coming up and overthrowing them.
2. Government’s role is to protect the people of the country
3. Nationalism - having intense pride in one's country
"Nothing above the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state." - Benito Mussolini
4. Militarism - military buildup
5. Imperialism - empire building
6. Corporatism
- industrial leaders and workers must work well together
- detested capitalist’s greedy ways
- realized he needed big industries in order to succeed
7. Made Catholicism the national religion
- Mussolini hated religion but realized he needed an alliance with the Catholic Church
- brought many Catholics and Italians to support Mussolini
- Catholic church was founded in Italy
- pledged to make Catholicism a national religion and for it to be taught in all schools
8. Efficiency and order were very important
- Mussolini “made the trains run on time”
- Hitler didn't run his country as well as he could have
Mussolini’s fascism was not as strict as Nazism . . .
- allowed monarchy to continue
- allowed Emmanuel to remain the king
- allowed the Catholic Church to continue
- born in 1889 in Austria
- dropped out of school at 16
- wanted to be and artist and architect
- failed to get into art school
- moved to Germany in 1913
- joined German Army when WWI broke out
- was wounded twice (once by gas)
- won numerous medals
- accepted the “stab in the back” theory
- hated Weimer Republic
- joined the Nationalist Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi) after WWI
- voted Fuhrer (Leader) of the Nazi Party in 1921
Nazi party attracted the following groups of people:
1. Manual laborers - they were out of jobs
2. Former soldiers
3. Adventurers and misfits
The Nazi Party:
1. was violently nationalistic
2. was anti-Semitic (anti-Jew)
3. Hated the democratic Weimer Republic
4. talked of the Volk (German common people) superiority
Beer Hall Putsch (1923)
- Hitler and the Nazis tried to take over the German Gov’t
- Failed miserably
- Hitler was arrested for treason
- Got five years but only served 9 months
While in prison he wrote his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
Outlined Hitler’s ideas:
1. Aryans were the superior race
- Germans, Dutch, Belgians, Scandinavians and English
- No interbreeding
- Hated Jews, inferior race
- Hitler associated them with the Weimer Republic and Communism
3. Hated democracy
- Believed one person had to have the power to keep order and Discipline
4. Undo the Treaty of Versailles
5. Re-unite German speaking peoples
- Austria, Sudetenland, Danzig, Poland
6. Lebensraum
- “Living space” in Russia for the German People
- Hitler also learned that he would have to come to power legally
- January 30, 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany
- Within 18 months Hitler had total power and created “The Third Reich”
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