Lesson 46
Do Now: Describe the conditions in the US and Europe in the late 1930’s
Motivation: Talk about how the US was beginning to pull out of the Great Depression
under FDR & his New Deal. Even still there were 8 million out of work in the US.
Besides the US, Europe was hit by the depression. People were suffering badly. The
governments in Europe were very weak, especially in Germany, and Italy. Ask the
students…if we have a weak govt. what can happen? Describe Adolf Hitler and the fact
that he took over b/c country was very weak.
Aim: What did most Americans feel about going to war in the 1930’s? What were things
like around the world at this time? What was Italy doing at this time? What was Japan
looking for? What was Europe like after WW I? How was the economy of Germany
affected? How were people ready to deal with their problems? Under cruel dictatorships
in Germany and Italy, how did these leaders address their needs?
Notes:
1. What did most Americans feel about going to war in the 1930’s?
 In the late 1930’s most Americans had no desire to go to war.
 Americans were looking for relief from the GD.
2. What were things like around the world at this time?
 Things were taking a bad turn.
 Larger stronger countries were taking advantage of smaller weaker
countries.
3. What was Italy doing at this time?
 Italy had invaded Ethiopia and crushed them.
Why? Google it… The aim of invading Ethiopia was to boost Italian national
prestige, which was wounded by Ethiopia's defeat of Italian forces.
Mussolini saw it as an opportunity to provide land for unemployed Italians and
also acquire more mineral resources to fight off the effects of the
4. What was Japan looking for?
 Japan was looking for more natural resources.
 It was taking land from weaker countries.
5. What was Europe like after WW I?
 WW I left much of Germany in a depression.
 The country was still suffering from the aftermath of WW I.
6. How was the economy of Germany affected?
 The economy had collapsed.
 People could not find jobs.
7. How were people ready to deal with their problems?

Many were in such a bad way, that they were ready to accept a
dictatorship.
8. Under cruel dictatorships in Germany and Italy, how did these leaders address
their needs?
 People had no rights
 Their needs were considered unimportant.
 The only thing that mattered was THE STATE!
Hitler’s rise to power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0eyxlRGo5Y&bpctr=1352767178
Mussolini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OetedJuu4k
http://www.johndclare.net/Weimar7.htm
On the right side of the page, read of the primary sources A-H be ready for a discussion.
Take time to go over & discuss the primary sources.
HW: Answer aim questions
Closure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVMhuiHm50I&feature=g-vrec