Europe at WarEurope at War

During the late During the late nineteenth century Great nineteenth century Great Britain, France, Portugal, Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands wanted Netherlands wanted more land.more land.

This desire for more land This desire for more land lead to the “Scramble for lead to the “Scramble for Africa” between 1885 Africa” between 1885 and 1910. Several and 1910. Several European countries European countries divided the continent of divided the continent of Africa among Africa among themselves.themselves.

The European The European factories required raw factories required raw materials to materials to manufacture finished manufacture finished products. They products. They looked for new looked for new sources of raw sources of raw materials and markets materials and markets for their goods. Gold, for their goods. Gold, diamonds, and oil diamonds, and oil were some of the were some of the resources the resources the Europeans wanted. Europeans wanted. Asia and Africa had Asia and Africa had those resources.those resources.

Politics also led to the Politics also led to the colonization of Africa. Some colonization of Africa. Some European nations showed European nations showed national pride by competing national pride by competing for colonies in Africa. Great for colonies in Africa. Great Britain, France, and Germany Britain, France, and Germany did not want to be without did not want to be without colonies in Africa. Owning colonies in Africa. Owning colonies in Africa and Asia colonies in Africa and Asia made the Europeans feel made the Europeans feel pride in their country.pride in their country.

Another reason for Another reason for colonizing was the colonizing was the European European worldview. worldview. Nineteenth century Nineteenth century Europeans viewed Europeans viewed themselves as the themselves as the world’s most world’s most advanced advanced civilization. They civilization. They felt it was necessary felt it was necessary to “civilize” people in to “civilize” people in the rest of the world. the rest of the world. African African missionaries helped missionaries helped make colonization make colonization seem less offensive seem less offensive to citizens in to citizens in Europe.Europe.

The scramble for land also reached farther into Asia. The scramble for land also reached farther into Asia. Many Asian territories saw a change from Europe as Many Asian territories saw a change from Europe as trading partner to Europe as conqueror. Great Britain trading partner to Europe as conqueror. Great Britain had taken control of India. France controlled lands in had taken control of India. France controlled lands in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The British fought Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The British fought for control of other lands like Burma, Laos, Siam, and for control of other lands like Burma, Laos, Siam, and Cambodia.Cambodia.

NationalismNationalism is the love of one’s county and is the love of one’s county and militarismmilitarism is using strong armies and threats of war. Both of is using strong armies and threats of war. Both of these conditions were on the rise in Europe.these conditions were on the rise in Europe.

European countries signed treaties agreeing to help European countries signed treaties agreeing to help one another in case of attack.one another in case of attack.

In 1914, a series of events caused In 1914, a series of events caused Germany to declare war on Russia Germany to declare war on Russia and France. On the other side, the and France. On the other side, the British joined France and Russia British joined France and Russia and formed the and formed the Allied PowersAllied Powers. . Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey and its colonies), Empire (Turkey and its colonies), and Bulgaria joined the Germans and Bulgaria joined the Germans as the as the Central PowersCentral Powers..

These countries These countries were large and were large and controlled lands controlled lands around the around the world, the war world, the war was called the was called the Great War.Great War.

Later the United Later the United States became States became involved on the involved on the side of the Allied side of the Allied Powers. The Powers. The war lasted until war lasted until 1918, and an 1918, and an estimated 10 estimated 10 million people million people died.died.

World War I was known as “the war to end all wars.” World War I was known as “the war to end all wars.” Unfortunately, just twenty years later, Europe would be Unfortunately, just twenty years later, Europe would be at the center of an even bigger conflict. The Great at the center of an even bigger conflict. The Great War became known as World War I. The later, larger War became known as World War I. The later, larger conflict was called World War II.conflict was called World War II.

The Russian RevolutionThe Russian RevolutionBefore 1917, Russia Before 1917, Russia

was an autocracy.was an autocracy.The czar was the The czar was the

absolute ruler.absolute ruler.The last czar was The last czar was

Nicholas II.Nicholas II.

The Russian RevolutionThe Russian Revolution The Russian Revolution started in 1917 and had two The Russian Revolution started in 1917 and had two

parts. parts. The first part was the February Revolution, which The first part was the February Revolution, which

resulted in the overthrow of the czar, or national ruler.resulted in the overthrow of the czar, or national ruler. People in Russia were unhappy with the way the czar People in Russia were unhappy with the way the czar

and his government were running the country.and his government were running the country.

Russian RevolutionRussian Revolution

People were starving while aristocracy was People were starving while aristocracy was living in luxury.living in luxury.

Russian people were also upset over their Russian people were also upset over their participation in the war. participation in the war.

The revolution created chaos both at home and The revolution created chaos both at home and on the warfront. on the warfront.

The Russian army was unable to be effective in The Russian army was unable to be effective in the war, and the Russians stopped their the war, and the Russians stopped their involvement in it.involvement in it.

The October RevolutionThe October Revolution

The October The October Revolution was the Revolution was the second part of the second part of the Russian Revolution. Russian Revolution. It is also called the It is also called the Bolshevik Revolution, Bolshevik Revolution, and it marked the first and it marked the first Communist revolution Communist revolution of the 20of the 20thth Century Century

The Russian The Russian RevolutionRevolution

The Bolshevik Revolution was led The Bolshevik Revolution was led

by Vladimir Lenin and was based by Vladimir Lenin and was based

on an ideology written by Karl Marx. on an ideology written by Karl Marx. This part of the Russian Revolution was more violent This part of the Russian Revolution was more violent

than the first. than the first. After the revolution, there was a civil war that lasted After the revolution, there was a civil war that lasted

more than two years. In the end, the Communist more than two years. In the end, the Communist forces gained control of Russia and would continue to forces gained control of Russia and would continue to rule until nearly the end of the century.rule until nearly the end of the century.

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles

The United States did not The United States did not send troops to Europe send troops to Europe until June 1917.until June 1917.

American soldiers helped American soldiers helped make the difference in the make the difference in the war. The Allies finally war. The Allies finally defeated the Central defeated the Central powers, and the fighting powers, and the fighting ended on November 11, ended on November 11, 1918. 1918.

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles

November 11November 11thth was was celebrated as celebrated as Armistice Day, in Armistice Day, in recognition of the recognition of the signing of the truce.signing of the truce.

An armistice is a An armistice is a temporary stopping of temporary stopping of fighting, or a truce.fighting, or a truce.

The Treaty of VersaillesThe Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles, which The Treaty of Versailles, which

officially ended the war, required that officially ended the war, required that Germany accept full responsibility for Germany accept full responsibility for the war. Germany also had to give up the war. Germany also had to give up territory to surrounding countriesterritory to surrounding countries

They had to give Alsace and Lorraine They had to give Alsace and Lorraine back to France.back to France.

Germany surrendered its overseas Germany surrendered its overseas colonies and made its armed forces colonies and made its armed forces smaller.smaller.

Germany also had to pay huge Germany also had to pay huge reparations to the countries it harmed.reparations to the countries it harmed.

Reparations are payments for war Reparations are payments for war damages, often made by a defeated damages, often made by a defeated power to the winning side.power to the winning side.

Nazis in GermanyNazis in Germany

Germany’s economy was ruined by the Germany’s economy was ruined by the Treaty of Versailles. The country’s Treaty of Versailles. The country’s economic troubles only deepened during economic troubles only deepened during the Great Depression.the Great Depression.

The Great Depression was a global The Great Depression was a global economic downturn that started in 1929.economic downturn that started in 1929.

The Great Depression began in the United The Great Depression began in the United States but soon spread into Europe. It States but soon spread into Europe. It lasted for ten years.lasted for ten years.

Nazis in GermanyNazis in Germany

German currency decreased in German currency decreased in value, resulting in inflation.value, resulting in inflation.

Inflation occurs when the prices of Inflation occurs when the prices of goods rise quickly.goods rise quickly.

Poverty caused by unemployment Poverty caused by unemployment led the people of Germany to lose led the people of Germany to lose faith in their government.faith in their government.

On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler, On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler, who was the leader of the National who was the leader of the National Socialist German Workers, or Nazi Socialist German Workers, or Nazi Party, became the Chancellor of Party, became the Chancellor of Germany.Germany.

His political party won many votes His political party won many votes in the elections of 1932.in the elections of 1932.

Nazis in GermanyNazis in Germany

The Nazis gained support by blaming The Nazis gained support by blaming Germany’s problems on the ideas of Germany’s problems on the ideas of Communists and the Jewish people.Communists and the Jewish people.

The desperate people of Germany The desperate people of Germany were vulnerable to these ideas and were vulnerable to these ideas and wanted to believe any leader who gave wanted to believe any leader who gave them hope.them hope.

Europe was plagued with anti-Jewish Europe was plagued with anti-Jewish sentiments, or anti-Semitism, at the sentiments, or anti-Semitism, at the time. Hitler promised the Germans time. Hitler promised the Germans that their country would create jobs that their country would create jobs and grow to be the most powerful in and grow to be the most powerful in the world.the world.

Worldwide DepressionWorldwide Depression

The Great Depression The Great Depression weakened many weakened many countries just when countries just when they needed to be they needed to be strong.strong.

Soldiers returning from Soldiers returning from the war often found that the war often found that there were no jobs there were no jobs waiting for them. Jobs waiting for them. Jobs that they had left that they had left behind had been filled behind had been filled with young people with young people willing to work for less willing to work for less money.money.

Worldwide DepressionWorldwide Depression Britain’s lack of profits by Britain’s lack of profits by

major industries caused tax major industries caused tax revenues collected by the revenues collected by the government to fall. As a government to fall. As a result, the government had result, the government had very little money to spend very little money to spend on the military. This was at on the military. This was at a time when Germany was a time when Germany was becoming a great threat to becoming a great threat to its neighboring countries in its neighboring countries in Europe. Europe.

Worldwide DepressionWorldwide Depression

Great Britain needed to build up a strong military to defend itself, Great Britain needed to build up a strong military to defend itself, but it could not afford to do so. but it could not afford to do so.

This put Great Britain at a huge disadvantage when World War II This put Great Britain at a huge disadvantage when World War II began in 1939.began in 1939.

World War IIWorld War II Twenty one years after the end of World Twenty one years after the end of World

War I, another major world war erupted.War I, another major world war erupted. One major cause of World War II was One major cause of World War II was

the desire of the Germans and Japanese the desire of the Germans and Japanese to expand their countries into full to expand their countries into full empires.empires.

To expand, they had to conquer other To expand, they had to conquer other countries. countries.

World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945. On one side of the conflict were the On one side of the conflict were the Allies, including Britain, France, the Allies, including Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, and Soviet Union, the United States, and China. On the other side were the Axis China. On the other side were the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan.Japan.

Totalitarian RulersTotalitarian Rulers During the Great Depression of the During the Great Depression of the

1930s, there was a rise of 1930s, there was a rise of totalitarianism in parts of the world.totalitarianism in parts of the world.

A totalitarian government is one in A totalitarian government is one in which the government has total which the government has total control over the country and its control over the country and its citizens.citizens.

Totalitarian governments often use Totalitarian governments often use violence to enforce their laws and to violence to enforce their laws and to punish anyone who dares to oppose punish anyone who dares to oppose them.them.

Totalitarian regimes seized power in Totalitarian regimes seized power in several countries, including several countries, including Germany, Italy, and the Soviet UnionGermany, Italy, and the Soviet Union

Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini Benito Mussolini used the Italian Benito Mussolini used the Italian

people’s distrust of their people’s distrust of their government to rise to power. His government to rise to power. His political group practiced fascism.political group practiced fascism.

The Fascists believed that The Fascists believed that government should include their government should include their own political party, and no own political party, and no others.others.

It also meant total government It also meant total government control of political, economic, control of political, economic, religious, and cultural activities.religious, and cultural activities.

Mussolini’s title was II Duce, Mussolini’s title was II Duce, meaning “the leader.”meaning “the leader.”

Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini

He replaced both Italy’s king He replaced both Italy’s king and prime minister as the only and prime minister as the only head of the country.head of the country.

Mussolini used his private Mussolini used his private military squads, called military squads, called Blackshirts, to help him Blackshirts, to help him become leader.become leader.

The squads were ex-soldiers The squads were ex-soldiers who used violence to silence who used violence to silence those who disagreed with those who disagreed with Mussolini.Mussolini.

ADOLF HITLERADOLF HITLER As with Mussolini in Italy, As with Mussolini in Italy,

Adolf Hitler took advantage Adolf Hitler took advantage of Germany’s bad of Germany’s bad economic times to rise to economic times to rise to power. power.

Once Hitler was in power, Once Hitler was in power, he outlawed all political he outlawed all political parties other than his own parties other than his own Nazi Party.Nazi Party.

His private military squads His private military squads were called Brown Shirts. were called Brown Shirts. They worked in a way They worked in a way similar to Mussolini’s similar to Mussolini’s Blackshirts.Blackshirts.

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

Once Hitler became the Chancellor of Once Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany in 1933, his mob of Brown Germany in 1933, his mob of Brown Shirts was protected by law, even Shirts was protected by law, even when they murdered Hitler’s when they murdered Hitler’s opponents.opponents.

The Nazi Party gained power by The Nazi Party gained power by taking advantage of Germany’s taking advantage of Germany’s political unrest. political unrest.

The Nazis launched vicious verbal The Nazis launched vicious verbal and physical attacks on the Jews and and physical attacks on the Jews and anyone who opposed the Nazi Party.anyone who opposed the Nazi Party.

The Nazis publicly criticized The Nazis publicly criticized Germany’s weak government.Germany’s weak government.

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler When Germany’s President Paul When Germany’s President Paul

von Hindenburg died in 1934, von Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler appointed himself Fuhrer Hitler appointed himself Fuhrer and Reichskanzler (leader and and Reichskanzler (leader and Reich Chancellor.Reich Chancellor.

The Nazis were able to quickly The Nazis were able to quickly abolish such individual rights as abolish such individual rights as freedom of the press, freedom of freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, assembly, freedom of expression, and the right to privacy.and the right to privacy.

The police were given total The police were given total freedom to arrest anyone.freedom to arrest anyone.

Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

In November 1938, Hitler’s Brown In November 1938, Hitler’s Brown Shirts and other Nazi supporters Shirts and other Nazi supporters attacked and burned Jewish houses attacked and burned Jewish houses of worship.of worship.

They also attacked and vandalized They also attacked and vandalized thousands of Jewish-owned stores.thousands of Jewish-owned stores.

Dozens of Jews were murdered. Dozens of Jews were murdered. About 30,000 Jews were arrested About 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to harsh, brutal prisons and sent to harsh, brutal prisons known as concentration camps.known as concentration camps.

The HolocaustThe HolocaustFrom the time Hitler became From the time Hitler became

the Chancellor of Germany, the Chancellor of Germany, the treatment of Jews grew the treatment of Jews grew worse. He used the Jews as worse. He used the Jews as a scapegoat.a scapegoat.

A scapegoat is unfairly A scapegoat is unfairly blaming someone for blaming someone for existing problems.existing problems.

The HolocaustThe Holocaust

The policies of the Nazi The policies of the Nazi Party progressively took Party progressively took rights away from Jews. rights away from Jews.

Nazis stated that Jews Nazis stated that Jews were not German citizens, were not German citizens, and removed Jews from and removed Jews from jobs, businesses, and jobs, businesses, and schools.schools.

The HolocaustThe HolocaustDuring World War II, Hitler’s campaign During World War II, Hitler’s campaign

against the Jews eventually led to the against the Jews eventually led to the Holocaust, the systematic murder of Holocaust, the systematic murder of about 6 million Jews and millions of about 6 million Jews and millions of other Europeans that Hitler believed to other Europeans that Hitler believed to be inferior and unfit to be German be inferior and unfit to be German Citizens. Citizens.

Other persecuted groups included Other persecuted groups included Gypsies, Slavs, political enemies, the Gypsies, Slavs, political enemies, the handicapped, and homosexuals.handicapped, and homosexuals.

The European WarThe European WarWithout Hitler, it is quite Without Hitler, it is quite

possible that there possible that there would not have been a would not have been a world war. After world war. After gaining almost total gaining almost total control over Germany, control over Germany, Hitler set out to build Hitler set out to build what he called the Third what he called the Third Reich.Reich.

The European WarThe European War

The Third Reich was the The Third Reich was the German Empire that German Empire that Hitler was creating as he Hitler was creating as he took over countries such took over countries such as Austria, as Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Czechoslovakia, and Poland.Poland.

European WarEuropean War

In 1939, it became In 1939, it became clear that Hitler was clear that Hitler was preparing to invade preparing to invade Poland. Poland.

Britain and France Britain and France had an alliance with had an alliance with Poland, promising to Poland, promising to help protect the help protect the country if it was country if it was attacked. attacked.

World War IIWorld War II

On September 1, 1939, Hitler’s On September 1, 1939, Hitler’s forces invaded Poland. Britain forces invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on and France declared war on Germany two days later. This Germany two days later. This was the start of World War II, was the start of World War II, the largest and deadliest war the largest and deadliest war ever fought.ever fought.

More than 40 million soldiers More than 40 million soldiers and civilians would be killed and civilians would be killed before the fighting ended.before the fighting ended.

World War IIWorld War II

The battles of World War The battles of World War II were fought in what II were fought in what were called the European were called the European Theater and the Pacific Theater and the Pacific Theater. The European Theater. The European Theater was the war for Theater was the war for control of Europe and the control of Europe and the Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

The European WarThe European War

The Soviet Union was The Soviet Union was under the control of under the control of Joseph Stalin, who was Joseph Stalin, who was ruthless in his ruthless in his domination of the Soviet domination of the Soviet People and his pursuit of People and his pursuit of a large empire.a large empire.

Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

Before the war began, Stalin Before the war began, Stalin made a pact with Hitler. The made a pact with Hitler. The two leaders agreed not to two leaders agreed not to attack each other. They also attack each other. They also divided Poland, giving the divided Poland, giving the Soviet Union half of that Soviet Union half of that country, as well as access to country, as well as access to control of other countries in control of other countries in Eastern Europe.Eastern Europe.

Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

In June 1941, Hitler broke In June 1941, Hitler broke his pact with Stalin and his pact with Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union. invaded the Soviet Union.

The fight between The fight between Germany and the Soviet Germany and the Soviet Union became known as Union became known as the eastern front of the the eastern front of the European war. Stalin European war. Stalin then joined the Allies in then joined the Allies in their fight against Hitler.their fight against Hitler.

WWIIWWII

The Battle of Stalingrad, The Battle of Stalingrad, which began in 1942, was a which began in 1942, was a major turning point in the major turning point in the eastern front of the European eastern front of the European Theater. It has been called Theater. It has been called the bloodiest battle in human the bloodiest battle in human history.history.

Total deaths were estimated Total deaths were estimated at between 1 and 2 million at between 1 and 2 million people.people.