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BACKGROUND CAUSES WWII. Background Causes. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles New boundaries/countries The Rise of the Dictators The Failure of the League of Nations The Rise of Hitler The Policy of Appeasement of Hitler. Treaty of Versailles.
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BACKGROUND CAUSES WWII
Background Causes • The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles • New boundaries/countries • The Rise of the Dictators • The Failure of the League of Nations • The Rise of Hitler • The Policy of Appeasement of Hitler
Treaty of Versailles • Harsh terms of the treaty which Germany had to agree to such as the “War Guilt Clause.” • $33 billion in reparations to Allies.
New Countries/New Boundaries • New boundaries put people in the minority into foreign lands. • Ethnic minorities were isolated and were not loyal to nations they lived in.
The Rise of the Dictators • Leaders who got “absolute power” in their countries because of weak leadership in the past. • Used military, police, terror and fear to control their people.
Rise of the Dictators • Dictators came to power in the 1930’s in: • Germany- Adolf Hitler • Italy- Benito Mussolini • Russia- Joseph Stalin • Spain- General Francisco Franco • Japan- Military Dictatorship- Emperor Hirohito
The Failure of the League of Nations • Purpose to promote world peace a place for discussions rather than a battlefield. • Failed because: • U.S. and Soviet Union not members • Germany and Japan withdrew • Could not put a peace keeping force together • Members countries did not show up for meeting, did not follow-through on decisions.
Failure of the League • Did not focus on preventing war (social and economic help for countries). • Failed to deal with Hitler’s aggression. • Failed to deal with Mussolini’s aggression. • Failed to deal with Japan’s aggression
Rise of Hitler • 1933- Hitler withdraws from the LON - begins to rearm - violating Treaty of Versailles. • 1935- Tears up Treaty- German Air force (Luftwaffe) more planes than the RAF. • 1936- Invades Rhineland- British say- “Okay, Hitler is going into his own backyard.” • 1938- Annexed Austria-Violation of Treaty • 1938 – annexed Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) • Sept 1, 1939- German tanks roll into Poland.
Policy of Appeasement • Appeasement- “To bribe or make concessions” - attempt to satisfy a desire.” • The policy of Appeasement was adopted by Western democracies towards Hitler and Germany.
Policy of Appeasement • Based on 3 assumptions: • Another war unthinkable - P.M. Chamberlain (Britain) “Peace in our time.” • British and U.S. felt Germany mistreated by Treaty of Versailles. Germany had legitimate complaints - should be resolved. • Appeasers (anti-communist) help Germany hope to stop flow of communism to the west.
War Declared • Sept 3,1939-Britain and France declare war on Germany, Canada also enters the war on Sept 10, 1939. • Countries Involved: • Axis Powers: Germany, Japan, and Italy (changed sides in 1943). • Allied Powers: Britain, France, Canada, USSR