Causes of World War 2

1. Causes of World War 2 Long-Term Causes • Rise of Totalitarianism • Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan • Aggressive, persuasive dictators • Solution to economic depression • Massive rearming • Global Depression • Crippled global economy • Causes civil unrest • Weakened governments • Caused protectionist reactions • Provided opportunity for opposition parties to gain power • Treaty of Versailles • Source of bitterness for Germany & Russia • Newly formed countries = disputes • Nationalist issues unresolved • Fascism • Italy – Highly Nationalistic • Response to econ. problems; depression • Strong cent. gov’t • Strong military • Aggressive foreign policy • War = expression of state’s power • Attacked dem. & communist ideals • Failure of Appeasement & Isolation • France & Britain give into Hitler to avoid conflict • Germany pulls out of LON & violates Treaty of Versailles • Germany rebuilds military • Allowed Germany to annex lands • U.S. foreign policy based on isolation; stayed out of growing European conflict • Japan’s Desire for Pacific Empire • Economic & military rival to U.S. • Acquire new areas for resources • Expression of militarism: uses military aggression to expand into E & SE Asia: Manchuria, China, Vietnam Short-Term Causes • What was the most significant cause of WW2? Why? • Identify some common themes/trends in the lead up to WW2. • With the obvious benefit of hindsight, explain your opinion on how WW2 could have been avoided? • German Invasion of Poland • German Blitzkrieg begins: Invasion of Poland, then Russia, Belgium, France, Scandinavia • Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor (12/7/1941) • Japanese Bombing of Pearl Harbor • Japanese bombers attack U.S. naval fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii (12/7/1941)