World History Unit 7: World War II Steps of Causes: 1920’s World History Unit 7: World War II

Essential Questions: Explain what led up to WWII and why you think the people of Germany and Italy chose to follow a totalitarian dictator

1. World War I Identification: Total war among major nations of the world from 1914-1918 that left millions dead and changed boundaries of many countries. Significance: Major European cities are devastated worldwide economy is terrible. Many countries (Germany, Italy, Russia/Soviet Union, and Japan) feel betrayed and mistreated by the peace process that ended the War.

Europe before World War I Europe After World War I

2. Economic Chaos Identification: Economy was a mess in Europe after WWI. Inflation, high unemployment, many unhappy former soldiers.

2. Economic Chaos Significance: During this time in 1920’s, dictators began to rise and take over governments around the world. Unhappy people tend to look for leaders to solve their problems.

3. Treaty of Versailles Identification: : Treaty signed at end of WWI that placed blame for War on Germany and punished it severely. Significance: It prevented Germany from recovering economically or psychologically after War, while leading to economic weakness in all of Europe.

4. Isolationism (non-intervention) Identification: : A country’s policy of wanting to stay “isolated” from alliances with other countries and to not get involved with problems of other countries.

4. Isolationism (non-intervention) Significance: Many countries felt this way after WW I; they were afraid of getting involved in problems of other countries again, fearing another war. United States and Great Britain followed isolationist policies. This allowed expansionism by Germany, Japan, and Italy.

5. Ideologies: Democracy v. Totalitarian States Identification: By the 1930’s, a major split in political ideology (how a country should be governed) had developed among major world countries. Significance: Democratic: Great Britain, France, United States Totalitarian: Germany, Italy, Japan, Soviet Union, Spain

Essential Questions: Explain what led up to WWII and why you think the people of Germany and Italy chose to follow a totalitarian dictator