Shattered Peace: The Road to World War II

Dictators’ Dance, artwork by famed Dutch cartoonist, Louis Raemaekers, ca. 1939
Dictators’ Dance, artwork by famed Dutch cartoonist, Louis Raemaekers, ca. 1939. Louis Raemaekers papers, Box 25, Folder 12, Hoover Institution Archives.
Italian soldiers march triumphantly into the conquered Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, May 1936
Italian soldiers march triumphantly into the conquered Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, May 1936. Ruth Ricci Eltse papers, Box fT-fW, Hoover Institution Archives.
This postcard depicts Puyi, the last emperor of China
This postcard depicts Puyi, the last emperor of China and the puppet emperor of Japanese-occupied Manchukuo, ca. 1934. Daniel K. E. Ching collection, Box 2, Hoover Institution Archives.
A watercolor from the Spanish Civil War depicting Communists and anarchists
A watercolor from the Spanish Civil War depicting Communists and anarchists. It was published in an art book by the Offices of Propaganda of the National Confederation of Workers and the Iberian Anarchist Federation in Barcelona, 1936. Estamaps de la Revolución Española collection, Box 1, Hoover Institution Archives.
A couple plowing a field on a map of Poland and Czechoslovakia, symbolizing the German presence and future in Eastern Europe, 1938
A poster produced by the Association of Germans in the East shows a couple plowing a field on a map of Poland and Czechoslovakia, symbolizing the German presence and future in Eastern Europe, 1938. Poster collection, GE 1013, Hoover Institution Archives.
German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and Stalin shake hands
German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and Stalin shake hands after the signing of the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union that paved the way for Hitler’s invasion of Poland, August 23, 1939. William Russell Philp collection, Box 1:5a, Hoover Institution Archives.
Polish civilians dig antitank trenches in Warsaw, September 1939
Polish civilians dig antitank trenches in Warsaw, September 1939. Jan Karski papers, Envelope E, Hoover Institution Archives.
Polish General Staff’s report on the causes of the German victory
Wojskowe Przyczyny Kleski Wrzesniowej (military reasons for the September defeat) One of two original copies of the Polish General Staff’s report on the causes of the German victory, presented to General Władyslaw Sikorski, Poland’s commander in chief, while he was in London, 1941. Wojskowe Przyczyny Klęski Wrześniowej Próba Syntezy typescript, Box 1, Hoover Institution Archives.
Herbert Hoover delivers a radio appeal on behalf of the Finnish Relief Fund, 1939
Herbert Hoover delivers a radio appeal on behalf of the Finnish Relief Fund, 1939. Finnish Relief Fund records, Box 248, Folder A, Hoover Institution Archives.