World War II Chapter 1 On the Eve of War

The Diary of a Girl: Anne Frank

Anne Frank

Anne Frank is merely one of six million Jews that were massacred by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Yet, her diary (discovered after her capture by German soldiers) has accurately depicted the persecution faced by Jewish people in Europe during the Second World War. She is one of the primary sources of the oppression and discrimination perpetrated by Adolf Hitler and his followers.

Causes of World War II: Germany after World War I

1. The Treaty of Versailles:

One of the copies of the Treaty of Versailles

When the leaders of the victorious nations in World War I signed the Treaty of Versailles (a peace treaty), Germany was completely crushed. Its army and navy had been reduced to minimal proportions along with being forced to eliminate its air force and all submarines. Meanwhile, Germany shrank in size due to losing land to nations such as Czechoslovakia and Poland. In addition, Germany was forced to pay over $800 billion (by today’s standard and our currency) and accept that it was fully responsible for the war (War Guilt Cause). This caused uproar amongst the nation’s citizens.

Inflation caused the value
of currency to drop drastically

2. Inflation:

Burdened with a massive debt decided by the Allied nations and its own debt from the war, Germany began printing large sums of money. Unfortunately, none of this money was being contributed to the economy and, as a result, industries were not expanding. This caused prices to rise (hyperinflation) and the value of currency to drop. Within several years, billions of marks (Germany currency) were barely worth an American dollar.

3. Depression and Unemployment:

Inflation had become a horrible aspect of the depression in
Germany

By the time Germany began to recover from inflation, the Great Depression struck the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. America could no longer lend Germany money to rebuild its nation or produce goods within its industries. Germany lost the ability to pay its reparation payments and, as a result, businesses were forced to lay off workers. Citizens could no longer afford rent and had to live in tents or packing crates. Farmers had to guard their crops in order to defend against starving thieves. People began to commit crimes so they could receive free food in prison. However, Adolf Hitler saw this as his opportunity to seize control of the German population.

4. Political Instability:

In the aftermath of the First World War, the German political system had been as negatively impacted as the economy. There were more than a dozen major political parties, none of which could seize power and rebuild the nation. These parties were divided into three groups: Communists, Social Democrats, and National Socialists (Nazis). Due to none of the parties being capable of achieving power, more of the German citizens continued to follow the ways of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi group. They were simply desperate for leadership.

Hitler Becomes Dictator

Hitler takes control of Germany

In 1919, Adolf Hitler became involved in a political group that would one day become the Nazi party. During his campaign, Hitler vowed to restore Germany to its former glory and grant power to the descendants of the Aryans. Hitler believed that all of Germany’s economic problems were a result of the Jews (a hatred known as Anti-Semitism). To showcase this hatred, Hitler wrote a book titled Mein Kampf (My Struggle). This book outlined Hitler’s goals, his inspirations, passions, hatreds, and even some of his battle plans for conquest of Europe. In 1933, Hitler came to power and established a dictatorship. He used violence to take control and opposed anyone that did not share his views. Citizens that openly fought against Hitler were captured and imprisoned by German secret police. Teachers were forced to join the Nazis and children were recruited for the Hitler Youth Movement. Any foreign publications of different ideologies, political beliefs, or religions were banned.

Hitler outlined hatred against
the Jews in his book, Mein Kampf

Hitler’s Anti-Semitism

As Hitler began to change the political landscape in Germany, Jews became increasingly oppressed and persecuted. Many had their businesses vandalized or destroyed. Citizens that wished to enter Jewish-owned shops were threatened and even physically assaulted by officers within the secret police. In 1935, the Nazis passed the Nuremberg Laws. This took away the civil rights of Jews in Germany. Jews could not attend public school or sports arenas. They were also forbidden to enter libraries and other establishments. As a result, Jews fled the country in the hopes of finding a better life. Others that tried to stay and maintain a comfortable life were captured and placed in concentration camps. The purpose was to remove them from the “pure” German population. Hitler also targeted Blacks, Asians, and other ethnic communities. This mistreatment escalated in 1938 when a Polish-Jewish individual shot a German official in Paris. In retaliation, Jews were savagely beaten and attacked in Germany. Many had their businesses burned down or vandalized. This became known as Kristallnacht (Night of “Broken” Glass). Soon enough, Hitler’s attacks would move into the next extreme.

Kristallnacht became major news in Allied nations

Canada’s Response

William Lyon Mackenzie King

With Germany becoming a hazardous environment for people of many ethnic backgrounds, thousands of Jews attempted to leave Europe and find homes elsewhere. Approximately 800,000 Jews tried to flee Germany between 1933 and 1939. The United States accepted 240,000, Britain accepted 85,000 and Canada accepted less than 4000. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King promised to do his fair share and shelter these immigrants. Many Canadians were behind him, as both Jews and non-Jews organized petitions and demonstrations to support this cause. However, other Canadians were outraged by the Jewish immigrants. There was an Anti-Semitic force in Canada. Jews were banned from many clubs, events, and public institutions. Some of this hatred stemmed from difference of religious belief. Others thought that Jews were not fit to settle on farms and were more suited to city life. Finally, a large portion of Canadians did not see the benefit of allowing thousands of immigrants in during the Great Depression as they would only add to unemployment rates. This is why Canada remained restrictive to American and British Anglo-Saxon immigrants. In 1938, the League of Nations tried to convince the Prime Minister to allow Jewish people into the country. He stated that he was sympathetic to the Jewish situation but that he also had a duty to maintain unity and stimulate the economy.

The St. Louis Incident

St. Louis carried hundreds of Jewish immigrants, yet it
was turned back

In June 1939, Canada’s policy towards Jewish immigrants was put to the ultimate test. A passenger ship known as the St. Louis arrived carrying 907 Jews, all who wanted to escape the oppression and discrimination caused by Adolf Hitler. Earlier, in the same year, Canada had accepted 3000 German refugees. The Jews, however, were believed to have no real place in the nation of Canada. Many industrialists, professors, and editors begged Prime Minister King to accept the Jews and provide a safe haven. He unfortunately declined despite his personal sympathies. The cruise liner was forced to return to Europe. Many of the Jewish passengers were later captured and murdered in Nazi concentration camps. These events are portrayed in the movie the Voyage of the Damned.


A Timeline: Building Towards War

1931: Japan invades Manchuria to gain more land and stabilize its economy.

Japanese conquest during the pre-war years and World War II

1933: Hitler (having just gained power) begins to rebuild the German military beyond the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

1935: Italy invades Ethiopia to gain more territory and obtain access to the nation’s rich oil resources.

Italy's invasion of territory

1936: German troops enter and retake the Rhineland (this had been forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles).

March 1938: Hitler enters and annexes Austria with Nazi soldiers. There is no resistance from the Austrians.

September 1938: Britain and France meet with Adolf Hitler and sign the Munich Agreement. They appease the German dictator (give in to his demands) by granting him the Sudetenland, which is the northwestern part of Czechoslovakia. Britain and France think that Hitler is now satisfied.

October 1938: Hitler and Mussolini sign the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact. Hitler allows Mussolini southern Europe while he plans to take control of northern Europe. Japan later joins this alliance in 1940 to form the Axis Powers.

March 1939: Hitler marches into Czechoslovakia and takes the rest of the nation.

Czechoslovakia with the Sudetenland outlined
(bolder purple)

August 1939: Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression pact which guarantees peace between the two nations during war time (Hitler would later break this). Hitler is now free to focus on Britain and France in the west. Russia and Germany also secretly split Poland between one another.

September 1, 1939: Hitler demands that Poland give back the Polish Corridor to Germany. When Poland refuses, Hitler launches a Blitzkrieg (Lightning War attack) and takes Poland.

September 3, 1939: Britain and France are forced to declare war on Germany.

Britain's declaration of war was heard around the world

September 10, 1939: Canada declares war on Germany.

Why Canada Slept

While Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco (Spanish dictator) were promoting fascism in Europe, Canada seemed to not be paying attention. What are the reasons for doing so?

1. Memories of World War I were still vivid in people’s minds. They did not want to face another war.

2. A large portion of Canadians worked to promote peace since the war. Films and books had illustrated the deadliness of war. Groups such as the Women’s International League for Peace campaigned for an end to war and politicians such as J.S. Woodsworth declared Canada’s neutrality in future conflicts.

3. The Great Depression plagued Canada for about ten years by 1939. Canadians were focused on improving the economy and their lives instead of European politics.

4. Canada followed a similar ideology as the United States and remained isolated from other countries. It did not play a big role in the League of Nations and Canadians believed that they were safe from European dictators. Citizens did not want to get involved in foreign affairs.

5. Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s main concern was preserving Canadian unity. He did not want to divide the citizens through another war. King also did not want to lose Canada’s independence from Britain by forcing the nation to become involved in British imperial conflicts.

6. Prime Minister King, as did other world leaders, misjudged Hitler’s intentions. King thought (after meeting with Hitler) that the German dictator was seriously patriotic and that he did not have the ability to wage a war. The Canadian prime minister was seriously mistaken.

Canada Declares War on Germany

J.S. Woodsworth

On September 11, 1939, Canadian citizens discovered that they were once again at war. However, they were not as excited as in 1914. They feared for their lives and futures. Yet, when Canada did declare war, it was not because it was forced to by Britain. Since the First World War, Canada had gained control over its foreign affairs. It declared war by itself. Almost all of the politicians in the Canadian Parliament supported this notion. Only J.S. Woodsworth opposed it and stated that the children were at stake. Though many citizens hated war, they began to full heartedly support their nation after 200 Canadians were killed when a German submarine torpedoed the cruise liner Athenia.

Canada Prepares for War

Though Canada had declared war by itself, it was not really prepared for an armed conflict. The nation had reduced military spending because of the Great Depression and its defense budget was only $35 million. Canada hoped that it would remain limited in involvement, possibly by sending only 40000 troops and providing only food and supplies. To take control of the country during this difficult, the government reintroduced the War Measures Act. In order to finance war supplies, munitions, and equipment, Canada introduced several new taxes. By the end of September, approximately 58000 men and women had enlisted in the military. Many of the citizens were simply glad to leave the depression behind them and have access to food, clothing, shelter, and pay ($1.30 a day for new soldiers). On September 16 the first regiment of troops left for England, hoping that the war would end soon. Their hopes would be erased.

Canada Fights

Dunkirk Evacuation

In the year 1940, Hitler and his army defeated and took control of Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The Nazis suddenly turned their attention to France. Launching Blitzkrieg, Germany immediately had France on the ropes. Britain and Canada sent troops to aid France, but were soon forced to flee through the northern sea port town Dunkirk. France had been defeated in six weeks. At this time, Mussolini and Italy joined Hitler in his fight against Europe. Canada responded and declared war on Italy. Almost all of Europe was under Nazi control except for Britain. Canada was forced to have a greater involvement in the war, as supplies and soldiers were desperately needed.

Left: Blitzkrieg!

Morality is contraband in war-Ghandi

Homework for this chapter