World War II Causes of the War

What you will learn In Europe – Shortcoming of Treaty of Versailles – Rise of Dictators in Europe – Fascists in Italy and Nazis in Germany In Japan – Rise of militarism

Failure of Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles ended World War I Instead of helping bring peace, it just planted the seeds of future war Caused anger and resent – Treaty blamed Germans for starting the war – Stripped countries of overseas colonies and border territories – Carved up Russia – Caused economic hard times

Most obvious example: Germany Weimar Republic was a democracy, but Economic problems so bad that money became worthless…

What is going on here?

What do people do when they’re scared and times are bad? …people turn to “strong” men who promise to make things right – even if they are lying and governments are overthrown…

Revolution happened in 3 countries in Europe… Russia Italy Germany

Russia Russia (Soviet Union) was briefly a democracy Became a Communist country in 1922 under V.I. Lenin When Lenin died in 1924, Joseph Stalin took control – Last name means “man of steel” – Tried to turn rural country into industrial power by putting all agriculture and industry under state control

Russia (cont) In order to make himself all- powerful, he had millions killed, including many of his followers Estimated 8 to 13 million people killed By 1939, Russia was a complete totalitarian state – Individuals had no rights – Government suppresses all opposition

Italy Benito Mussolini founded Fascist party before 1921 – Stressed nationalism – Interest of the state placed above those of individuals – Power must rest with a single party leader and a small group of devoted followers – Promoted by middle and upper classes

Italy (cont) In 1922 Mussolini marched on Rome with thousands of followers dressed in black uniforms Government officials sided with Mussolini Italian king appointed Mussolini head of the government Also made Italy a totalitarian state

Germany Adolf Hitler created a private army, gave powerful speeches, and elected to office Once elected, he dismantled the Weimar Republic and assumed power Wrote “Mein Kampf” in which he developed his theory of Nazism – which also name of his political party German fascism

What is Nazism? Extreme nationalism - Hitler dreamed of all German-speaking peoples into an empire Racial purification – blue-eyed, blonde Aryans formed a “master race” and all “inferior races” such as Jews, Slavs, and non-whites were to be exterminated National expansion – taking over the rest of the world through military action Called his new state the Third Reich

Japan While dictatorships in Europe, in Japan militaristic leaders were taking over the imperial government…

Japan (cont) Japan felt needed to conquer more land to provide for its population In 1931 militarists had gained control and attacked China – conquering Manchuria

Response of United States Cautious Many were pacifists To be covered next class