Causes of WWII Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the...
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Transcript of Causes of WWII Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the...
Causes of WWII
Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the warring nations- instead, it made things worseGermany was blamed for causing the war
and forced to pay reparationsItaly and Japan believed they should have
received more land from the warSoviet Union underwent a communist
takeover
Causes of WWII
Worldwide depression only made things worse and led to the rise of a totalitarian state:Single-party dictatorship controls all aspects
of lifeStrong, charismatic leadersState control of economyUse of terror to enforce will of stateGovernment control of media
Causes of WWII
Soviet Union-Lenin died in 1924, leading to the rise of
Joseph StalinDreamed of transforming the Soviet Union
into an industrial powerResponsible for the deaths of over 10 million
RussiansMaintained power through fear and
propaganda
Causes of WWII
Italy-Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist Party,
which promoted nationalism and promised to make Italy a world power again
Used frustrations over the results of WWI to take control of Italy
Outlawed other political parties, created a secret police, took over the press, and created educational programs
Causes of WWII
Japan-Like Italy, Japan was an Allied power during
WWI, but was upset at the lack of land gainDuring the Great Depression, Japan
increased its military powerIn 1931 and in 1937, Japan took control of
portions of China○ “Rape of Nanjing”- 200,000 Chinese murdered
by Japanese forces
Causes of WWII
GermanyWiemar Republic (democracy) took control
after WWIThe worldwide depression hurt Germany
more than anyone elseLed to the rise of the National Socialist
German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party)○ Opposed anything that went against German
ethnic solidarity
Causes of WWII
Nazi Party Adolf Hitler gained control of the Nazi’s
shortly after WWIWrote the book Mein Kampf while in prison
for a failed rebellion○ Anti-Semitic: prejudiced against Jewish people○ Set blueprint of his hatred and plans for world
domination
Causes of WWII
Nazis (continued):In 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor of
Germany by the president of the Weimar Republic
2 years later, Hitler was chancellor and president of Germany
Secret Police (SS) crushed opposition, controlled press praised him, schools supported him
Economic policies of rearmament and massive public works projects ended the German depression
Causes of WWII
During the 1930s, the rising powers of Europe began to aggressively expand their territory:Germany wanted to reunite all German
people into one Reich (state)- took Saar and Rhineland regions (from France)
Italy invaded and conquered Ethiopia Response of the League of Nations?
Nothing
Causes of WWII
Spanish Civil War-1936-1939 takeover by Fascist radicals led
by Francisco FrancoGermany and Italy sent aid to the rebels to
test out new military technologyFrance, Britain, and the US did nothing
Causes of WWII
Appeasement-Granting concessions to a potential enemy
in the hope that it will maintain peace○ 1938, Germany brought Austria and the
Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) in the Reich
○ Munich Pact- France and Britain allowed the takeovers under the promise that Germany would no longer expand
Causes of WWII
Why appeasement?Avoid the destruction of a massive warA strong Germany would provide a buffer
against the Soviet Union, which was seen as a bigger threat
Causes of WWII
War Erupts in EuropeSpring of 1939, Hitler violated the Munich
Pact by taking control of the rest of Czechoslovakia
Knowing that Poland was next, England and France signed an alliance with Poland guaranteeing aid if there was an attack
Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nonagression Pact in August of 1939, publically promising not to attack one another
Causes of WWII
War Erupts in Europe (cont)September 1, 1939: Germany launches an
all out assault on Poland (blitzkrieg)Planes, tanks, and automobiles rushed
through Poland with devastating resultsThe Soviet Union invaded Poland from the
East (September 17)France and Britain declared war on
Germany
Causes of WWII
Knowing that the Soviets would not attack him from the East, Hitler sent his troops west in the spring of 1940Denmark and Norway fell immediatelyNetherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
were nextMay, 1940, Germany invaded and
conquered France
Causes of WWII
With France under his control, Hitler focused his attention on Britain
To get control of the Island, Hitler’s plan was to use his air force (Luftwaffe) to control the English Channel
Battle of Britain (July 1940) saw dogfighting and bombing raids“The Blitz”- months long bombing raid on
London Britain held and Germany ended its plans