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Causes of WWII

Causes of WWII . Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the warring nations- instead, it made things worse Germany was blamed for causing the war and forced to pay reparations Italy and Japan believed they should have received more land from the war

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Causes of WWII

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  1. Causes of WWII • Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the warring nations- instead, it made things worse • Germany was blamed for causing the war and forced to pay reparations • Italy and Japan believed they should have received more land from the war • Soviet Union underwent a communist takeover

  2. 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 life • Strong, charismatic leaders • State control of economy • Use of terror to enforce will of state • Government control of media

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Causes of WWII • Germany • Wiemar Republic (democracy) took control after WWI • The worldwide depression hurt Germany more than anyone else • Led to the rise of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party) • Opposed anything that went against German ethnic solidarity

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. Causes of WWII • Why appeasement? • Avoid the destruction of a massive war • A strong Germany would provide a buffer against the Soviet Union, which was seen as a bigger threat

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Causes of WWII • Knowing that the Soviets would not attack him from the East, Hitler sent his troops west in the spring of 1940 • Denmark and Norway fell immediately • Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg were next • May, 1940, Germany invaded and conquered France

  16. 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

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