World War II

From Appeasement to War

 Aftermath of WWI
• What do we know about WWI?
• 1920’s and 1930’s
– Western Nations try to avoid war at all costs
• dismantle Germany
• League of Nations
• Meanwhile…
– Germany, Italy, Japan rebuilding
 Aggression Goes Unchecked
• Pattern being established
– DICTATORS TAKE
AGGRESSIVE ACTION

– MET WITH ONLY VERBAL

PROTESTS AND PLEAS
FOR PEACE
 Why Appeasement?
1. No desire, or cohesion
between countries to
face up to Hitler/others
2. Belief that Germany’s
response was justified
3. Fascism was a defense
against Communism
4. Depression “zapped”
resources
5. PACIFISM – disgust
towards war
 ROME-BERLIN-TOKYO AXIS
• Because of the perceived “weakness” of
W. Nations….Italy, Germany, Japan form
alliance ---- “Axis Powers” ---- agreed to:
– fight communism
– not interfere with others expansion
Where is the US?
• During the 1930’s, the US began to pass a
series of Neutrality Acts
– Banned sale of arms to warring nations
– Forbade Americans from traveling on warring
nations ships
• GOAL: avoid conflict, NOT prevent it.