The causes of World War II 7th Grade Social Studies – Harold E. Winkler Middle School Edited by 7th Grade Social Studies – Hickory ridge middle school

Review of World War I The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany: Sign the War Guilt Clause Pay $33 billion in reparations Give land back to France Reduce military Leads to anger for the German people… And to the rise of Adolf Hitler!

World Wide Depression Economic Depression – sustained/long-term downturn in economic activity. Nationalism – extreme pride/devotion in one’s country. Propaganda is going to be used to inspire this sense of nationalism… This leads to - Some countries turning to radical leaders that make promises of greatness! (extreme nationalism)

World Wide Depression

Nationalism

A Weak League of Nations The League of Nations was an organization created to prevent future conflicts, but… did not include the United States. did not have a military force.

Chinese/Japanese Conflict

Failures of The League of Nations 1931: Japan quits the League of Nations and invades Manchuria (China) 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia (quits League in ‘37) 1936: Germany invades the Rhineland = demilitarized zone and off limits to any German military force due to the provisions outlined in the Treaty of Versailles. (German Territory) Previously quit League in 1933, 9 months after Hitler became chancellor. The League of Nations does nothing…

Analyze this political cartoon with your group.

Spineless Leaders of Democracy If you give a dictator an inch, he will take a MILE!

Appeasement: The Munich Agreement, 1938 Appeasement – a policy of giving into the demands of an enemy in order to avoid conflict. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain “Now we have “peace in our time!” Herr Hitler is a man we can do business with”.

Munich Agreement 1938 The Munich Agreement was an agreement permitting Nazi Germany's annexation (take over) of parts of Czechoslovakia. This land was made up of mainly German speakers. This territory was known as the "Sudetenland”.

Munich Agreement 1938

How is the Munich Agreement considered an act of appeasement? Turn and Talk How is the Munich Agreement considered an act of appeasement?

Rise of Dictators Totalitarianism Stalin Fascism Germany & Italy Communism Soviet Union Totalitarianism Militarism Japan Mussolini & Hitler Hideki Tojo

Rome-Berlin Axis, 1936 The “Pact of Steel”

Invasion of Poland 1939: Germany signs Non-Aggression Pact with Soviet Union (Hitler-Stalin) The two signed an agreement not to attack one another and secretly agreed to divide up Poland Germany invades Poland on September 1, 1939. Great Britain & France declare war on Germany 2 days later…

Axis Powers Italy Japan Germany

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, 1940 The Berlin Pact

The Berlin Pact Axis powers are officially formed as Germany, Italy, and Japan become allies. The Pact provided for mutual assistance should any of these nations suffer attack by any Allied nation not already involved in the war.

Allied Powers Great Britain France Soviet Union

U. S. Neutrality Europe up in smoke