Year Nine nmg08

Some of the causes can said to be LONG TERM – they help to create the situation These might include: The Treaty of Versailles Signed by the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany and the USA April 1919 Loss of land Armed forces cut War Guilt

The Great Depression October 1929 The US Stock Exchange on Wall Street crashes – shares worth millions are now worthless Banks close – companies go bust and millions of workers lose their jobs As many countries rely on US trade it has a huge impact on their economies too! The country most immediately hit and with the greatest impact is GERMANY who has been reliant on huge American loans – now the banks want their money back!

Germany & the Depression A camp for the homeless in Berlin A soup kitchen supplies food for the unemployed As unemployment rises the German people turn to

I promise to destroy the hated Treaty! I will unite the German people I will destroy the Trade Union Movement I will end the weak democracy of the Republic I promise Bread and Work to all Germans

The Failure of the League Was set up to keep peace in the World – part of the Treaty of Versailles Major blow was Japanese attack on China Second blow was Italian invasion of Ethiopia Remember both Japan and Italy were on the Security Council!

Appeasement Hitler now began to challenge Versailles Treaty 1. German troops occupy the Rhineland 3. Hitler now claimed the Sudetenland 2. Union with Austria 1936 GB & France gave in to Hitler’s demands in the hope of avoiding war. This policy was known as ‘Appeasement’

Steps to War During the Thirties the French opted for defence – the Maginot Line GB seemed unable or unwilling to stop Hitler Only Stalin’s Russia offered any hope of resistance! Newsflash: August Russia signs agreement with Germany+

September 1939 Using ‘blitzkrieg’ tactics German forces invade Poland from the West while Russian forces invade from the East. Britain and France call on Germany to withdraw – war is declared