Causes of the Second World War Canadian War Memorial, Ottawa

Japan Japan felt justified in expanding its colonial empire, just as other European empires have done historically. (Britain, France) In 1931, Japan takes Manchuria, a Chinese region, for its carbon and iron resources.

The League of Nations did not come to China’s aid. In 1937, Japan began a strong attack on China, eventually further conquering Korea and French-Indo China (Vietnam)

The Violation of the Treaty of Versailles Hitler assumes control on January 30, 1933. His political ideologies appeal to the much of the German public. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/germany/nazibeliefsrev1.shtml High level of unemployment and frustration A weak Weimar government Impressive Nazi propaganda => Hitler immediately begins to violate the Treaty of Versailles by rearming Germany.

Violation of the Treaty of Versailles Creation of the Luftwaffe Germany’s army doubles with conscription.

Violation of the Treaty of Versailles June 1935 Anglo-German Naval Accord England allows a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and allows Germany to have a naval force 1/3 the size of their own to avoid an arms race similar to prior WWI.

Rearmament Great Britain and France begin to increase their own militaries in fear of the German threat. Russia too, under Stalin, begins to increase their military strength to protect their Communist regime.

Italian Imperialism October 1935 Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini invades Abyssinia (Ethiopia) to extend their empire and establish an African presence.

New BFF… The Fascist dictators Mussolini (left) and Hitler (right) become friends (photo prise par Eva Braun, 1940)

The Violation of the Treaty of Versailles continues... March 1936 German forces establish their presence in the Rhineland, between France and Belgium.

The Violation of the Treaty of Versailles…. German-Austrian Union March 1938 – Anschluss German-Austrian Union

June 1938 Germany takes the Sudetenland, A region belonging to Czechoslovakia.

A Sudeten Woman crying tears of joy at the German annexation.

« Peace in our time » - Chamberlain September 1938 – At the Munich Conference, Hitler invites the leaders of the world to reassure them he does not want any more territory… (Would you trust Hitler at this point?) Prior to signing the Munich Agreement. Left to Right: Chamberlain, Daladier, Hitler, Mussolini, Ciano

* Britain and France ceded to Germany’s word, hoping to avoid another war. This political move is now known as Appeasement Soviet Poster of the 1930s by Kukryniksy on the Munich Agreement

In March 1939, Germany invades the rest of Czechoslovakia

Stalin and Hitler August 1939 Hitler and Stalin make an agreement to not attack one another, known as the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

Furthermore, Stalin and Hitler agree to divide eastern Poland and Eastern Europe amongst themselves.

Germany invades Poland without fear of Soviet response. September 1st, 1939 Germany invades Poland without fear of Soviet response. September 3rd, 1939 Great Britain and France declare war against Germany. September 10th, 1939 Canada declares war against Germany.