Dictators Threaten World Peace

1. Why did the new democracies set up after World War I fail? (And yes, I am aware the answer is in the reading so make sure your answer is in your own words.)      

     The new democracies set up after World War 1 failed for many reasons. For one, the postwar years brought powerful dictators to rise who were driven by the belief in nationalism and the desire for territorial expansion. Another reason was the failure of the Treaty of Versailles which Germany found unfair. These problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic and the peace settlement did not fulfill Wilson's hopes of a world "safe for democracy." Without democratic traditions, people turned to authoritarian leaders to solve their countries' problems. The new democracies collapsed the dictators were able to seize power.  

2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?     

     A totalitarian state is a country with a government that maintains complete control over its citizens. Individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition. By 1939, Joseph Stalin had established a totalitarian government. Stalin took control over everything and was determined to eliminate anyone who threatened his power, even his most faithful supporters. 


3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?     

     By 1921, Benito Mussolini had accomplished creating a fascist regime in Italy. In 1922, Mussolini marched on Rome with thousands of followers wearing black uniforms. Their uniforms gave them the name "black shirts" Once the important government officials, police, and  army sided with the fascist party, Mussolini was appointed head of the government. 

4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?      

     In the book Mein Kampf, Hitler set fourth the basic beliefs of the Nazism that became his plan of action for the Nazi party. Nazism is based on extreme nationalism. Hitler dreamed of uniting all German speaking people in a German Empire. He also wanted to enforce racial "purification" in Germany. Hitler believed in an Aryan race, preferably blue-eyed blonds. Hitler had a dislike for anyone who wasn't white, especially Jews. Another element of Nazism was national expansion. Hitler believed in order for Germany to thrive, they needed more land. 

5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?     

     Japan decided to invade the Chinese province of Manchuria with a surprise attack  in 1931. In Japan, nationalist military leaders were trying to take control of imperial Japan. They believed in the need for more land for a growing population, same as Hitler. In need of more land, Japan invaded Manchuria. Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province. 

6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?     

     In 1936, a small group of Spanish army officers rebelled against the Spanish republic. Led by Francisco Franco, this became known as the Spanish Civil War. Fighting against Franco were the Americans. The Americans formed the Abraham Lincoln Battalion consisting of over 3,000 troops. Among these troops were African Americans still bitter about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia. Franco, however, was backed by Hitler and Mussolini who sent troops, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes. Franco's victory in 1939 established him as the fascist leader of Spain.   

7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?     


     There were many factors that contributed to America's growing isolationism. Most Americans were alarmed by the international conflicts of the mid 1930's but believed they should stay out of it. Public outrage over a flood of books that argued that the United States had been dragged into World War 1, led to the creation of a congressional committee. The Nye committee made the controversy even worse by documenting large profits that banks and manufacturers made during the war. Americans because more determined than ever to avoid war. The Girl Scouts of America even changed the color of their uniforms to appear less militaristic.   

Experiencing U.S. Expansion: Southern Arizona

1. What were the two broad groupings of Native Americans in southern Arizona when the Spanish arrived?

Broad Group 1   Name for Self:   O’ odham               Spanish Name(s): Pima and Papago

Broad Group 2   Name for self:     Nnee             Spanish Name(s): Apache

2. How did the O’odham show their unwillingness to fully embrace the Spanish missions?

Although at first the O’odham welcomed the missions believing that the Catholic priests were healers who could help the O’odham against diseases and although they appreciated the other resources (food and tools) provided by the missionaries, the gifts were not free. The Spanish wanted their converts to work in the fields and their livestock used up valuable water resources. The Spanish tried to stop the O’odham from practicing their religion and the O’odham who came in contact with the Spanish had a higher risk of disease. Some O’odham stayed at the mission but others expressed their dissatisfaction by moving to the desert, visiting Spanish settlements only during times of need or yearly migration. The Spanish for their part often expressed frustration at the O’odham unwillingness to take park of their “civilizing project.”

3. Why did Apache groups raid Spanish settlements?

Initially the Apaches did not view raiding as stealing since they did not view animals as property. The harsh response of the Spanish quickly led them to view raiding as taking an enemies’ property. Once they began to realize the Spanish were their enemy, they began stealing their goods in order to survive the harsh environment they lived in.

4. What was the cycle of violence?

The cycle of violence occurred because tribes like the Apache and the O’odham went to war to make amends for wrongs committed against them. Military campaigns against the Apache would then encourage more violence rather than less. The cycle of violence was one group’s violent interaction with another creating another violent action and another rather than stopping the violence.

5. How did Spanish and Apache views of the peace created by the establicimientos de paz differ?

The Spanish believed they had ushered in a period of peace but it may be that they had just become more receptive to the Apache’s own attempts at peace. For the Apaches they believed this period to be a peace among only local bands and local communities and the peace was maintained through obligations. The Spanish gave them rations and the Apaches provided military assistance.