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 Stalin

Dreamed of transforming the Soviet Union into an industrial power

Responsible for the deaths of over 10 million Russians

Maintained 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 gain

During the Great Depression, Japan increased its military power

In 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 WWI

Wrote 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 Franco

Germany and Italy sent aid to the rebels to test out new military technology

France, 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 Europe

Spring 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 results

The 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