The second world war its causes and main events

Causes of the war 1 The treaty of Versailles very harsh terms very harsh terms lopsided and biased lopsided and biased Not properly negotiated Not properly negotiated 2 The failure of league of nations had no power had no power had no army of its own had no army of its own was a toy in the hands of the victorious countries was a toy in the hands of the victorious countries

The rise of dictatorships The rise of dictatorships FASCISM- ITALY- MUSSOLINI (1922) (1922) NAZISM - GERMANY – HITLER (1932) (1932) COMMUNISM- USSR- STALIN (1928) (1928) Fascism Spain FRANCO People developed faith in one man one party rule

3 The Rearmament ofGermany German rearmament began after Hitler left Geneva Disarmament Conference German rearmament began after Hitler left Geneva Disarmament Conference stating that as the powers would not disarm to his level, he would rearm Germany to their level. stating that as the powers would not disarm to his level, he would rearm Germany to their level. By 1935 rearmament was well underway. This involved conscription and munitions factories. By 1935 rearmament was well underway. This involved conscription and munitions factories. First term of the treaty was broken First term of the treaty was broken

4 The Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936) Hitler marched 30,000 troops into Cologne on 7th March Hitler marched 30,000 troops into Cologne on 7th March France, with 250,000 troops mobilised, remained passive because Britain would not support her. France, with 250,000 troops mobilised, remained passive because Britain would not support her. Britain took the view that Germany was ‘marching into her own back yard.’ Britain took the view that Germany was ‘marching into her own back yard.’

5 The Rome- Berlin Axis (October 1936) Originally Mussolini did not want to be Hitler’s ally Originally Mussolini did not want to be Hitler’s ally The Rome-Berlin Axis in Mussolini and Hitler strengthened their alliance The Rome-Berlin Axis in Mussolini and Hitler strengthened their alliance a. The Anti-Commintern Pact (1937) with Japan. a. The Anti-Commintern Pact (1937) with Japan. The Pact of Steel (May 1939). The Pact of Steel (May 1939). The axis powers were formed. The axis powers were formed.

6 Britain’s policy of Appeasement (May37- March 39) Chamberlain became British Prime Minister in 1937, Chamberlain became British Prime Minister in 1937, He followed the policy of appeasing Germany, He followed the policy of appeasing Germany, believing that all Hitler wanted to do was unite German speaking people. believing that all Hitler wanted to do was unite German speaking people. Chamberlain had misinterpreted Hitler’s aims. (We have the benefit of hindsight.) Chamberlain had misinterpreted Hitler’s aims. (We have the benefit of hindsight.)

7 Munich Agreement (29th September, 1938) Hitler could take the Sudetenland the following day without a plebiscite Hitler could take the Sudetenland the following day without a plebiscite Hungary and Poland could take border districts from Czechoslovakia Hungary and Poland could take border districts from Czechoslovakia Britain and Germany would never go to war. Britain and Germany would never go to war.

HITLER GOING FOR THE SIGNING OF MUNICH PACT

8 Hitler Gained the Sudetenland (29th September, 1938) Hitler Gained the Sudetenland (29th September, 1938) Hitler Gained the Sudetenland (29th September, 1938) The Sudetenland was lost by Austria in the Treaty of St. Germain The Sudetenland was lost by Austria in the Treaty of St. Germain Czechoslovakia gained 3 million German speaking people. Czechoslovakia gained 3 million German speaking people. The Sudeten German leader, Konrad Henlein, demanded a union with Germany The Sudeten German leader, Konrad Henlein, demanded a union with Germany

9 The Fall of Czechoslovakia (March 1939) 9 The Fall of Czechoslovakia (March 1939) So far Hitler had only taken German speaking territory, so Chamberlain could still appease Hitler. So far Hitler had only taken German speaking territory, so Chamberlain could still appease Hitler. In March 1939, Hitler threatened to bomb Prague, so the Czechs surrendered. In March 1939, Hitler threatened to bomb Prague, so the Czechs surrendered. Chamberlain realised appeasement had failed, so he began to rearm Britain and guarantee peace in Poland. Chamberlain realised appeasement had failed, so he began to rearm Britain and guarantee peace in Poland.

Nazi – Soviet pact August 1939 Secret negotiations by Stalin Secret negotiations by Stalin Hitler suddenly announced the pact Hitler suddenly announced the pact

The non-aggression pact was surprising. Hitler and Stalin were seen as natural enemies. When Hitler talked of taking over new land for Germany, many thought that he meant Russia. Hitler also hated Communism, the form of government in Russia Hitler Stalin

German Invasion of Poland (1st September, 1939) German tanks invaded West Prussia and Posen on the 1st September 1939 using blitzkrieg tactics. German tanks invaded West Prussia and Posen on the 1st September 1939 using blitzkrieg tactics. (This is a lightning, sudden attack co- ordinating air, then land forces). (This is a lightning, sudden attack co- ordinating air, then land forces). Poland was in a danger of being removed from the map of europe. Poland was in a danger of being removed from the map of europe.

German army marching into Poland

Europe in 1938

Germany attacks Poland

Phony war /Sitzkrieg/sitting war Sept 1 st 1939 attack on Poland beginning of the 2 nd world war Sept 1 st 1939 attack on Poland beginning of the 2 nd world war April 9 th 1940 the phony war ended when Hitler attacked Denmark April 9 th 1940 the phony war ended when Hitler attacked Denmark

German forces move to Poland,France and Austria.

By June 1940, France had surrendered to the Germans

Battle of Britain Battle of Britain

September 1940-May 1941: the Blitz For the following nine months, the German air force (Luftwaffe) launched repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This was known as the BLITZ and was an attempt to bomb Britain into submission.

AMERICA’S ENTRY DEC THE JAPANESE FORCES RAIDED THE AMERICAN NAVAL BASE AT PEARL HARBOUR DEC THE JAPANESE FORCES RAIDED THE AMERICAN NAVAL BASE AT PEARL HARBOUR 2300 Americans died 2300 Americans died Dec 8 the American congress declared war on Japan. Dec 8 the American congress declared war on Japan. BIG BLOW TO AXIS POWERS BIG BLOW TO AXIS POWERS

Battle of Stalingrad

The extent of Axis controlled area grows

Second front opened up