World War II Origins through Pearl Harbor World

World War II Origins through Pearl Harbor

World Wars n World War I and II? • The War of 1812 was part of a larger conflict, involving among others, the U. S. , France, Great Britain, natives of present day India, and Egypt. • The “Seven Years” War (a. k. a. French-Indian War) – Involved England, Spain, France, American Indians, American colonists, and was fought in Europe, Canada, the modern-day U. S. , India, and parts of Asia.

The real first world war

Achilles Helen of Troy

World War II – sentimental? n Tom Brokaw – The Greatest Generation. n Saving Private Ryan n World War II Monument controversy and my favorite….

World War II was the “good war. ”

World War II IS important. n n It was pivotal in ending segregation. World War II, not the New Deal, ended the Great Depression World War II marked the beginning of the Cold War, between World War II allies in a battle over post-war control. Finally, its greatest significance is the Holocaust.

Definition of Holocaust n n n the systematic state sponsored annihilation of European Jews, Romani, and others between 1933 and 1945. 1933 - Jewish population of 9 million in Europe 1945 - Jewish population of 3 million in Europe

Nazi=National Socialist Workers Party n n Founded in 1919 Adolf Hitler ascends to leadership in 1921. Became Germany’s largest political party during the Great Depression. Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933

Nazi ideology was based upon four pillars n Hitler always asserted his ideas were the same as every one else – he only acted upon them. • Darwinian view of the world. n “Survival of the fittest” – Aryans are the “most fit. ” • Extreme nationalism. • Extreme Racism. n n Obviously a large part of US culture Tuskegee Syphilis experiment. • Anti-Semitism. n n Even stronger in France Most universities in US had enrolment “quotas. ”

A Slow Start n Begins a euthanasia program against Germany’s handicapped population. • The Pope (Pius XII) objected, Germany stopped. n n n Invaded Russia – employed “mobile killing squads. ” Sole purpose was to kill Jews. Wannsee Conference 1942 began employing Zyklon-B gas.

Myth vs. Reality n Myth • Germany had many Jews in high ranking positions • Jews could have simply fled Germany n Reality • Jews were 1% of population and confined to the margins of society BEFORE Hitler. • US and Great Britain refused to increase immigration quotas to allow Jews to flee. • US required all Jewish immigrants to have a sponsor to ensure they were not a “drag” on society. • US allowed only 10% of eligible Jews to enter US. • 53% of Americans agreed with the statement “Jews are different and should be restricted. ”

How did it happen? 1942 – US and British intelligence undoubtedly knew. n The Vatican undoubtedly knew n 1944 – escapees from Auschwitz presented evidence to Allies – to no avail. Throughout the Allies refused to bomb the gas chambers or destroy the roads and railways leading to the camps. n Possibility - Isolationism

Isolationism n n “Veterans of Future Wars” Reaction to World War I. • Stayed out of League of Nations. • 1937 poll – 40% of college students said they would refuse to serve in the military even if US were invaded.

Washington Naval Conference n n Convened by US Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes in 1921. Ostensibly about naval disarmament. Leads to “Five Power Pact” Tonnage limits for naval vessels • US/Great Britain: 5 Japan: 3 Italy/France: 1. 75 n n PRO-neutrality argument – All powers in the agreement (including U. S. ) had to disarm or decommission ships to meet limitations. ANTI-neutrality argument – “disarmament” was subterfuge – the pact by design gave the U. S. superiority in naval vessels.

Kellogg-Briand Pact n n Aristide Briand (France’s foreign minister) and Frank Kellogg (US secretary of state) 1928 Agreement to outlaw war as a tool of foreign policy. 62 nations (including Japan and Germany) sign the agreement. No enforcement mechanism.

The Nye Commission n n Congressional Committee 1934 -1936. Chaired by NY Senator Gerald Nye. Goal was to investigate the causes of US involvement in World War I. Arms manufacturers Bankers such as JP Morgan

The Neutrality Acts n 1935 -1937 - Passed to “ensure the US never goes to war. ” • 1935: Arms embargo on all belligerents. • Americans travel into war zones at their own risk • 1936: Forbid loans to belligerents. n Exempt: civil wars and various materiel. • 1937: Closed the exemption on civil wars.

Isolation and Neutrality n US populace in an anti-war mood. • “Good Neighbor” • Repeal of Platt Amendment n By 1937 Hitler in place in Germany, Mussolini in Italy and US did nothing.

Hitler’s rise n Exploited psychic scars from World War I. • $33 billion in reparations – no chance of repayment. • Germans angry. The Nazis tap into this anger.

n n 1919 – Nazi party founded; 1923 – 50, 000 members. 1923 – Attempted to overthrow government in the Bier Hall Putsch • Adolf Hitler thrown in jail. • While in jail writes Mein Kampf (My Struggles) – which spelled out everything he would do.