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This film is the second portion of a two feature film the first feature can be found at “Why We Fight, Prelude to War” is a series of seven propaganda films created by the War Department as a way to explain the US’s involvement in the Second World War. It traces the war back to the Manchuria incident as well as Mussolini’s March on Rome in 1922. This section opens with the Hoover dam releasing water (:08). A New York Times headline reads “Senators Shut Down the League of Nations” (:20). Signs for the new president Taft (:35) and candidate Dewey (:37) float in the crowd. A German poster for Hitler appears (:44) prior to stacks of ballots for the dictator (:51). The Nazi Book Burnings was a campaign instilled by the German Student Union (1:01). American youth play at a roller skating rink (2:46). German youth load rounds into long range guns (3:00). The Japanese Imperial Army also enlisted child soldiers (3:02). Young Italian soldiers strap on gas masks (3:19). Hitler smiles at his army (3:48). A montage of prominent Nazi officials appears including Hess (4:41), Goering (4:42), Goebbels (4:54), Dietrich (4:59) and Reinhardt (5:04). A map notes how the Axis powers planned to divvy up European countries (5:55). Baron Tanaka Giichi (6:50) wrote a book about Japan’s dream of world domination published in 1927. Admiral Yamamoto; Commander in Chief of the Japanese Navy appears at (8:32). The White House is pictured (8:58). The first level of attack was a well-organized propaganda campaign (9:26). A prize is awarded to a German mother who had born the most sons (10:06) as Germany sought to expand its ‘master race’. Reproduction between full blooded German men and women was encouraged (10:27). Infants scream in the nursery (10:38). Mussolini appears (11:03). The German military’s spending budget increased (11:17). Panzer tank divisions roll down mud (11:38). Motorized divisions (11:47), the German infantry (11:45) and the notorious Luftwaffe follow (11:46). Roosevelt’s military spending is publicized in the Dallas Journal (12:09). Japan increased their garrison in Manchuria (13:07). A section of the track had been dynamited (13:36) and the Japanese Railroad Garrison launched an attack (13:51). The Japanese army is pictured just prior to moving across the Korean border (14:07). The new name provided by Japan was to be “Manchuko” (14:25). Emperor Puyi of the Qing dynasty appears (14:27). Secretary of State Stimson (14:42) is pictured followed by League of Nations members General Frank McCoy and Lord Lytton (14:52). An investigation was opened in Manchuria. Japanese delegates leave the League (16:13). A London city bus moves past the camera (16:43). Homes burn in Manchuria (16:54). Japanese gun boats attack the shoreline of Shanghai (17:25). Dead bodies line the streets (18:10). Strong resistance in the Shanghai south forced Japan to move their campaign to the north (19:20). Chiang Kai-Shek (19:36) is pictured. Mussolini appears before the Coliseum (20:00). The Ethiopian army stands without machine gun or tank (20:31). Their Air Force was comprised of one plane (20:35). The Italian Air Force takes to the sky (20:41). The Welwel settlement was the target (20:52). In October of 1935, Mussolini’s army moved through the Suez Canal (21:11). Emperor Halle Selassie (21:17) cries a futile cry for his tardy allies. The League of Nations ceased trade with Italy (21:43). Native armies pledge allegiance to Selassie (21:58). Tanks and weaponry of the Italian army move in (22:17). The Italian 13th battalion appears (22:27). FDR asks for the declaration for war (23:03) as Ethiopia was conquered by Italy. Ethiopian homes burn (23:55). The film begins to wrap up as it informs viewers the next section will take a look at Hitler’s rise (24:50). Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
