Europe Goes to War

What factors led to the outbreak of World War II? Essential Question What factors led to the outbreak of World War II?

The U.S. Returns to Isolationism Following WWI, the United States returned to their traditional policy of isolation. More concerned with events at home than abroad. Raised tariffs, restricted immigration and insisted that wartime allies, Great Britain and France, pay back their war debts. Kellog-Briand Peace Pact – promoted by the U.S. in 1928; renounced the use of war ”Good Neighbor Policy” – the U.S. agreed not to interfere in the internal affairs of Latin American nations. Relations did start to improve.

Origins of World War II Rise of Dictators Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union Benito Mussolini – Italy Adolf Hitler – Germany Failure of the League of Nations The League, created following WWI, was charged with preventing another war, but was too weak to resist these dictators. Remember, the United States and the Soviet Union failed to enter.

Origins, Cont. Appeasement Fails: Munich Conference Hitler promised to expand Germany. 1st- annexed Austria 2nd- Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) The United States and Great Britain promised to protect Czechoslovakia, but backed down with Germany threatened war. Munich Conference – 1938; British and French leaders, without consulting the Czechs, agreed to give Germany part of Czechoslovakia. Hitler became convinced that Britain and France (& the U.S.) were weak, and decided to make more demands.

Origins, Cont. German Invasion of Poland 1939 – Hitler makes demands for land in Poland Britain and France refuse to give in Hitler’s Response: signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin (Soviet Union) The two secretly and met and decided to invade and split Poland In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Both France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. WORLD WAR TWO HAD BEGUN!

German Blitzkreig The Germans introduced a new type of warfare when invading Poland – the blitzkreig. Which consisted of rapid, coordinated movements by airplanes, tanks, troop carriers, and infantry. Using this new method, the Germans quickly defeated the Poles, and before long had also defeated the French and taken over much of Europe.