Why We Fight: Prelude to War

Why We Fight: Prelude to War" is the first installment of the acclaimed propaganda documentary series directed by Frank Capra, released in 1942 as part of the U.S. Army’s effort to explain America’s involvement in World War II to its troops. Covering the years 1933 to 1939, the film reviews pivotal global events that set the stage for the conflict, including Japan’s conquest of Manchuria in 1931-1933, Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935-1936, and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany. It meticulously outlines the Axis powers’ aggressive expansionist ambitions, detailing their strategic plan for world domination through militarism and totalitarianism. Using a mix of archival footage, animation, and narration, the documentary contrasts the democracies’ initial hesitance with the Axis’s calculated aggression, framing the war as a moral struggle between freedom and tyranny. This film served as a compelling call to arms, galvanizing American soldiers and civilians alike by contextualizing the global threat they faced.