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[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

This lecture focuses on World War II:  before, during and after.  No war in the history of the world (except, perhaps, the American Revolutionary War) had as much lasting impact as World War II.  We still feel some of its effects to this day, more than 60 years later.

This lecture focuses on World War II:  before, during and after.  No war in the history of the world (except, perhaps, the American Revolutionary War) had as much lasting impact as World War II.  We still feel some of its effects to this day, about 70 years later.  The negotiations at the end of the war, which allowed the communist Soviet Union to gain control over several nations in Eastern Europe, resulted in the denial of freedom to many millions of people for 40 years.

==The Rise of Fascism in Europe==

==The Rise of Fascism in Europe==

The world in the early 1930s was suffering from the Great Depression.  This created discontent and encouraged change.  National governments were in place in Italy and Germany, but the people were not happy with them.

The world in the 1930s was suffering from the Great Depression.  This created discontent and encouraged change.  National governments were in place in Italy and Germany, but the people were not happy with them.

Nationalism had been developing for decades, but it turned into an extreme form known as “[[fascism]]” during this period.  Fascism is defined as a political philosophy that elevates the nation and its ethnicity above the individual, and uses a dictator to impose economic and social regimentation and control.  Often symbols are used for the purpose of mind-control, like the [[swastika]] in Germany.  Special salutes are also required to inculcate complete devotion to the national ruler, such as "''Heil Hitler''."  Mass rallies were common.  All opposition was suppressed.

Nationalism had been developing for decades, but it turned into an extreme form known as “[[fascism]]” during this period.  Fascism is defined as a political philosophy that elevates the nation and its ethnicity above the individual, and uses a dictator to impose economic and social regimentation.  Often symbols are used for the purpose of mind-control, like the [[swastika]] in Germany.  Special salutes are also required to inculcate complete devotion to the national ruler, such as "''Heil Hitler''."  Mass rallies were common.  All opposition was suppressed.

Fascism is very different from [[communism]], and fascist countries were the mortal enemies of communist countries.  Communism sought a [[worldwide revolution]] that would abolish national identity, while fascism sought exactly to advance their country over the rest of the world.  Communism opposed different social classes, while fascism encouraged it.  Communism hated wealth, while fascism encouraged the creation of wealth to make the nation stronger.  Communism considered everyone to be equal, while fascists thought their nation was the best.  Communism pushed women into the traditionally male roles of industrial workers and even soldiers, while strongly nationalistic countries like Japan imported foreign male workers from Korea and China rather than force women into industrial jobs.  Many say that fascism and communism are opposites, but they did have a few key characteristics in common: both used a dictator and demanded complete allegiance to the state ruler, rather than to God. Both also had a disdain for individual freedom and human rights, and both stressed the collective.

Fascism is very different from [[communism]], and fascist countries were the mortal enemies of communist countries.  Communism sought a [[worldwide revolution]] that would abolish national identity, while fascism sought to advance one's nation over the rest of the world.  Communism opposed different social classes, while fascism encouraged this.  Communism hated wealth, while fascism encouraged the creation of wealth to make the nation stronger.  Communism considered everyone to be equal, while fascists thought their nation was the best.  Communism pushed women into the traditionally male roles of industrial workers and even soldiers, while strongly nationalistic countries like Japan imported foreign male workers from Korea and China rather than force women into industrial jobs.  Many observe that fascism and communism are opposites, but they did have a few key characteristics in common: both used a dictator and demanded complete allegiance to the state ruler, rather than to God. Both also had a disdain for individual freedom and human rights, and both stressed the collective.

===Mussolini===

===Mussolini===

The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, causing King Victor Emmanuel to make Mussolini the leader of Italy (“Il Duce”).  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I, and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, causing King Victor Emmanuel to make Mussolini the leader of Italy (“Il Duce”).  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

===Hitler and the Nazis===

===Hitler and the Nazis===

[[Image:Hitler7.JPG‎|right|300px|thumb|Hitler, his favored “Aryans” as soldiers, and the intimidating swastika symbol of Nazism. Hitler was an [[evolution|evolutionary]] racist.]]

[[Image:Hitler7.JPG‎|right|300px|thumb|Hitler, his favored “Aryans” as soldiers, and the intimidating swastika symbol of Nazism. Hitler was an [[evolution|evolutionary]] racist.]]

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called ''Nationalsozialismus'', the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation. (The humiliation and outrage caused by this treaty is often cited as a reason for Hitler's rise to power.)  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote ''Mein Kampf'' (''My Struggle'') in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Adolf Hitler was an [[evolution|evolutionary]] racist. Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that properly refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hinduism and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather Indian features.

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called ''Nationalsozialismus'', the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation. (The resentment caused by this treaty is often cited as a reason for Hitler's rise to power.)  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote ''Mein Kampf'' (''My Struggle'') in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Adolf Hitler was an [[evolution|evolutionary]] racist. Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that properly refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hinduism and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather Indian features.

Hitler also promised to help Germany take back land it lost in the Treaty of Versailles and to conquer Russia and Eastern Europe so that Germans could have more living space, or “lebensraum”.

Hitler also promised to help Germany take back land it lost in the Treaty of Versailles and to conquer Russia and Eastern Europe so that Germans could have more living space, or “lebensraum”.

In 1933, Germany was in the throes of the Great Depression and German President Paul von Hindenburg panicked by naming Hitler chancellor.  This was one of the biggest mistakes in world history.  Hitler quickly solidified power for the Nazis.  Calling himself Der Fuhrer, Hitler began in 1934 to murder hundreds of Germans who had opposed him.  Hitler developed a secret police known as the Gestapo, and also a special, black-uniformed public police known as the ''Schutzstaffel'', or SS.  Hitler took over the schools, requiring teenagers to join the ''Hitlerjugend'', or Hitler Youth (for boys) and the League of German Girls (for girls).  They were then brainwashed with pro-Hitler propaganda.  But Hitler promoted industrialization and revived the economy, making him a hero in Germany and even to some in the United States.

In 1933, Germany was in the throes of the Great Depression and German President Paul von Hindenburg panicked by naming Hitler chancellor.  This was one of the biggest mistakes in world history.  Hitler quickly solidified power for the Nazis.  Calling himself Der Fuhrer, Hitler began in 1934 to murder hundreds of Germans who had opposed him.  Hitler developed a secret police known as the Gestapo, and also a special, black-uniformed public police known as the ''Schutzstaffel'', or SS.  Hitler took over the schools, requiring teenagers to join the ''Hitlerjugend'', or Hitler Youth (for boys) and the League of German Girls (for girls).  They were then brainwashed with pro-Hitler propaganda.  But Hitler promoted industrialization and revived the economy, making him a hero in Germany and even to some in the United States.

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  This day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “''Kristallnacht''”, or the night of broken glass.  Afterward Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  That day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “''Kristallnacht''”, or the night of broken glass.  Afterward Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.

''Time'' magazine named Hitler "Man of the Year" at the end of 1938.  It explained that the:<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760539,00.html</ref>

''Time'' magazine named Hitler "Man of the Year" at the end of 1938.  It explained that the:<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760539,00.html</ref>

Both countries had powerful industrial economies to feed their thirst for power.  In Germany, a leader (Adolf Hitler) had risen to power who had phenomenal public speaking skills, and who could whip the German people into a frenzy with his demagoguery.  In Japan the national religion (Shinto) called on the Japanese to do the emperor’s will as though a god had ordered them to do so.

Both countries had powerful industrial economies to feed their thirst for power.  In Germany, a leader (Adolf Hitler) had risen to power who had phenomenal public speaking skills, and who could whip the German people into a frenzy with his demagoguery.  In Japan the national religion (Shinto) called on the Japanese to do the emperor’s will as though a god had ordered them to do so.

Germany and Japan each experienced a rise of nationalism and the rise of an influential, popular dictator, and began to threaten the world at the same time.  Other nations experienced the same rise of nationalism, and dictators coming to power, but did not become as serious of a threat.  Why was it that these two nations independently arrived at similar nationalism and dictatorship, but came from extremely different starting points; one because of religion, the other, due to the lack thereof? Just as we saw unrelated peoples do similar things in ancient times, such as building structures that looked like ziggurats, and in medieval times, such as the development of [[feudalism]] in both Europe and Japan, there was the odd coincidence of German and Japan nationalism independently threatening the world at the same time.  

Germany and Japan each experienced a rise of nationalism and the rise of an influential, popular dictator, and began to threaten the world at the same time.  Other nations experienced the same rise of nationalism, and dictators coming to power, but did not become as serious of a threat.  Why was it that these two nations independently arrived at similar nationalism and dictatorship, but came from very different starting points. Just as we saw unrelated peoples do similar things in ancient times, such as building structures that looked like ziggurats, and in medieval times, such as the development of [[feudalism]] in both Europe and Japan, there was the odd coincidence of German and Japan nationalism independently threatening the world at the same time.  

===Aggression in the 1930s===  

===Aggression in the 1930s===  

Japan’s feudal period had militaristic aspects, but in the 1920s Japan was a democratic government that signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact for peace.  Then the Great Depression hit Japan just like everywhere else, and the Japanese overthrew their democratic government and replaced it with a military regime.  Emperor Hirohito rose to power as a military ruler.

Japan’s feudal period had militaristic aspects, but by the 1920s Japan was a democratic government that signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact for peace.  Then the Great Depression hit Japan just like everywhere else, and the Japanese overthrew their democratic government and replaced it with a military regime.  Emperor Hirohito rose to power as a military ruler.

Japan decided that it could solve its economic problems by expanding.  That would enable it to obtain raw materials for production and new markets for exports.  At least that is what many historians say.  Perhaps the real truth is that the Japanese liked winning wars and no one had beaten them yet.  China was many times bigger than Japan, but was no match for the Japanese military.  Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, attracted in part by the coal and iron deposits there.  This invasion began the Asian phase of World War II.

Japan decided that it could solve its economic problems by expanding.  That would enable it to obtain raw materials for production and new markets for exports.  At least that is what many historians say.  Perhaps the real truth is that the Japanese liked winning wars and no one had beaten them yet.  China was many times bigger than Japan, but was no match for the Japanese military.  Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, attracted in part by the coal and iron deposits there.  This invasion began the Asian phase of World War II.

The League of Nations condemned this invasion but chose not to stop it, from fear that any opposition would spark another war like the one they had just suffered through.  They held onto the hope that if left alone, the invasions would stop.  Japan withdrew from the League in 1933, and, along with Germany, played off of the fears of the League of Nations.

The League of Nations condemned this invasion but chose not to stop it, for fear that any opposition would spark another war like the one they had just suffered through.  They held onto the hope that if left alone, the invasions would stop.  Japan withdrew from the League in 1933, and, along with Germany, played off of the fears of the League of Nations.

In 1937, Japan invaded northern and central China.  It sacked the Chinese capital of Nanjing, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians.  Jiang Jieshi fled to the west while both nationalist and communist Chinese fighters stayed to combat the Japanese.

In 1937, Japan invaded northern and central China.  It sacked the Chinese capital of Nanjing, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians.  Jiang Jieshi fled to the west while both nationalist and communist Chinese fighters stayed to combat the Japanese.

Mussolini called for the Munich Conference in September 1938 to address this crisis about Czechoslovakia.  Germany, Italy, Britain and France were invited, while Stalin’s Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia were not.  In a classic example of making a deal with the devil, Britain and France agreed to allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland in exchange for his promise to stop there and not invade Czechoslovakia further.  British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, in one of the worst blunders in the history of the world, insisted that appeasing Hitler was the best approach.  Chamberlain received a hero’s welcome on his return to England, and he declared that he had achieved “peace in our time.”  An English newspaper justified the appeasement by claiming that Germans were simply “going into their own back yard.”  But within six months, Hitler annexed all of Czechoslovakia and then Mussolini grabbed Albania.  Chamberlain was discredited, and his major critic (the more conservative Winston Churchill) replaced him in 1940.

Mussolini called for the Munich Conference in September 1938 to address this crisis about Czechoslovakia.  Germany, Italy, Britain and France were invited, while Stalin’s Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia were not.  In a classic example of making a deal with the devil, Britain and France agreed to allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland in exchange for his promise to stop there and not invade Czechoslovakia further.  British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, in one of the worst blunders in the history of the world, insisted that appeasing Hitler was the best approach.  Chamberlain received a hero’s welcome on his return to England, and he declared that he had achieved “peace in our time.”  An English newspaper justified the appeasement by claiming that Germans were simply “going into their own back yard.”  But within six months, Hitler annexed all of Czechoslovakia and then Mussolini grabbed Albania.  Chamberlain was discredited, and his major critic (the more conservative Winston Churchill) replaced him in 1940.

Hitler was now ready to make his big move.  He demanded that Poland give back a former German seaport known as Danzig.  Poland refused and prepared to defend against a German invasion.  Courageous Polish soldiers on horses defended against German tanks. Poland obtained the support of Britain and France, who promised to help Poland defend if Germany attacked.  Britain and France then turned to Stalin in the Soviet Union, but he double-crossed them.  Stalin secretly agreed with Hitler in August 1939 to divide Poland among themselves and not to attack each other.  Stalin also received a promise from Hitler that Stalin could annex Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Finland.

Hitler was now ready to make his big move.  He demanded that Poland give back a former German seaport known as Danzig.  Poland refused and prepared to defend against a German invasion.  Courageous Polish soldiers on horses defended against German tanks! Poland obtained the support of Britain and France, who promised to help Poland defend if Germany attacked.  Britain and France then turned to Stalin in the Soviet Union, but he double-crossed them.  Stalin secretly agreed with Hitler in August 1939 to divide Poland among themselves and not to attack each other.  Stalin also received a promise from Hitler that Stalin could annex Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Finland.

===German Aggression in 1939-1940===

===German Aggression in 1939-1940===

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken some territory from Finland.

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken some territory from Finland.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “Sitzkrieg” (sit – zkrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflanking”) the Maginot Line.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “Sitzkrieg” ("sit" – zkrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflanking”) the Maginot Line.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.

Hitler was then ready to invade the Soviet Union, beginning on June 22, 1941 in Operation Barbarossa.  The irresistible force had met the immovable object, as the Soviet Union had the largest and most vicious army in the world.  The communists lacked the technology of the Germans, but the Soviet Union had more people and just as much industrial capacity.  This invasion by Hitler caused the Soviet Union to join the Allied Powers.

Hitler was then ready to invade the Soviet Union, beginning on June 22, 1941 in Operation Barbarossa.  The irresistible force had met the immovable object, as the Soviet Union had the largest and most vicious army in the world.  The communists lacked the technology of the Germans, but the Soviet Union had more people and just as much industrial capacity.  This invasion by Hitler caused the Soviet Union to join the Allied Powers.

Still, the Germans pushed the Soviets back, and the communists resorted to their “scorched-earth” policy of burning everything in sight as they retreated.  A similar policy had been used by the Russians to survive Napoleon’s invasion over a century earlier.  Then the harsh winter hit the German troops, and 500,000 German soldiers perished from the frigid temperatures.  Hitler felt he could capture Leningrad, but Russians never surrender and they lived on rats rather than give their city to the Germans.  That forced the Germans to remain outside the city, freezing to death.  When the Germans proceeded to Moscow in December 1941, Soviet General Georgi Zhukov defeated them with Siberian troops.  The Germans paid a heavy price for trying to defeat the Soviet Union.

Still, the Germans pushed the Soviets back, and the communists resorted to their “scorched-earth” policy of burning everything in sight as they retreated.  A similar policy had been used by the Russians to survive Napoleon’s invasion over a century earlier.  Then the harsh winter hit the German troops, and 500,000 German soldiers froze to death from the frigid temperatures.  Hitler felt he could capture Leningrad, but Russians never surrender and they lived on rats rather than give their city to the Germans.  That forced the Germans to remain outside the city, freezing to death.  When the Germans proceeded to Moscow in December 1941, Soviet General Georgi Zhukov defeated them with Siberian troops.  The Germans paid a heavy price for trying to defeat the Soviet Union.

Meanwhile, one of the shrewdest commanders in world history, the German field general Erwin Rommel, came to the aid of the Italians in northern Africa.  In September 1940, Mussolini advanced towards the Suez Canal and the rich oil fields of the Middle East.  The British woke up to this and defeated the Italians, capturing more than 100,000 prisoners in the process.

Meanwhile, one of the shrewdest commanders in world history, the German field general Erwin Rommel, came to the aid of the Italians in northern Africa.  In September 1940, Mussolini advanced towards the Suez Canal and the rich oil fields of the Middle East.  The British woke up to this and defeated the Italians, capturing more than 100,000 prisoners in the process.

But the brilliant German Rommel, nicknamed “The Desert Fox,” brought a powerful German tank corps known as the Afrika Korps to the aid of the Italians.  He routed the British in Libya, who were then forced to retreat to Tobruk.

But the brilliant German Rommel, nicknamed “The Desert Fox,” brought a powerful German tank corps known as the Afrika Korps to the aid of the Italians.  He crushed the British in Libya, who were then forced to retreat to Tobruk.

===The Holocaust and “Final Solution”===

===The Holocaust and “Final Solution”===