The Cause of World War II?

Europe at the beginning of the 20th Century Dominated by the 6 most powerful countries: BRITAIN, FRANCE, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, GERMANY, RUSSIA and TURKEY These were called the GREAT POWERS. These 6 countries were divided into 2 groups of allies: The Triple Entente = France, Britain & Russia The Central Powers = Germany, Turkey & Austria-Hungary.

Time Bomb? This system of alliances meant that if war broke out between any one country from both sides, the other countries would be drawn in too.

The First World War Began in August 1914 The Spark had been the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by Serb Extremists on a trip to Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, just moments before he was killed.

The war quickly spread to all the allied countries and to European colonies in Africa and Asia. The USA and Italy also got involved in the war. By 1918, 15 million people had been killed, many of these being civilians! The world had witnessed some of the most terrible and bloody battles in human history.

The Somme, 1916 1 million killed Verdun, 1916 714,000 killed Galliploi,1915 450,000 killed Lemberg, 1915 500,000 killed

The End Comes Finally, in November 1918, the war ended when the Germans asked for a Ceasefire (armistice) By then the map of Europe had been transformed: The Russian Monarchy had been overthrown by revolution. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had broken apart. In Germany the German Kaiser (Emperor) had abdicated and a new democratic Government had replaced him. The Armistice was signed at 11am on 11-11-1918. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Europe circa. 1919 LOOK AT HOW DIFFERENT EASTERN EUROPE LOOKS HERE COMPARED TO THE EARLIER MAP!

The Versailles Treaty Each defeated country had to sign a Treaty with certain terms. The Treaty which Germany had to sign was called the VERSAILLES Treaty. The victorious Allies blamed Germany for having caused the war and imposed harsh terms on her in the Treaty. These were designed to keep Germany weak in the future.

Terms of the Treaty Article 231: “The War Guilt Clause”. This stated that Germany accepted responsibility for causing the war. Germany would have to pay a war debt of €8.4 billion, to pay for the cost of the war she “had caused”. Germany had to return the territory of Alsace-Lorraine to France, which she had taken in an earlier war with France in 1870. Germany could not place troops within 50km of the French border The area of the Rhineland in Germany was to be DEMILITARISED. German army was limited to 100,000 soldiers, and only a few ships. Military Planes were forbidden Germany had to give up her Colonies. Germany was forbidden from entering into any union with Austria The Sudetenland Region was taken from Germany.

What did all this mean? GERMANY LOST 13% OF ITS LAND GERMANY LOST 12% OF ITS POPULATION GERMANY LOST 48% OF ITS COAL & IRON RESERVES

RESULT? Huge Resentment amongst Germans over how they had been treated in the Versailles Treaty. They felt Germany was being Humiliated. German economy was in crisis during the 1920’s due to the massive War Debt they had to pay. Due to loss of vital Coal and Iron Ore Regions, it was difficult to stimulate the German Economy. Unemployment and Inflation were out of Control. WHAT DID ALL THIS MEAN? GERMAN’S WERE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY AND WILLING TO LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO OFFERED SOLUTIONS, AND A RESTORATION OF GERMAN PRIDE

That Person would prove to be… ADOLF HITLER