1. The Road to WW2: Causes (Part 1)

2. 1. The Treaty of Versailles(1919)
Harsh terms intended to make Germany powerless
accept total blame for WW1
reduced military
reparations of $33 billion
loss of territory
In reality the treaty had the opposite effect.
It gave Germans grievances that Hitler would attempt to solve, such as restoring national pride

3. 2. Europe: The Emergence of New Countries After WW1
After WW1 German people were living in new countries (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria) that had previously been Germany
Many Germans felt these countries should “belong” to Germany

4. 3. Rise of Extremism - Dictators (Fascism / Communism)
Political democracies were new to many post WW1 European nations – voters had difficulty judging the new politicians
Great Depression caused social, economic, political problems – People were ready to follow any leader that promised to make things better!
Political Spectrum (of sorts!)
Left
Communism
Right
Fascism
USSR
NAZI Germany
Italy
State
Individual
Canada, Britain, France, US
Centre
Democracy

5. 3. Rise of Fascism –Totalitarianism (Dictators)
A form of government (dictatorship) backed by secret police and the army
Based on nationalistic and racist theories
The state (nationalism) is more important than the individual
All opposition is suppressed (political, labour, religion)

6. Rise of Fascism –Totalitarianism (Dictators)
Secret police
Military support
No political
opposition
DICTATORS
create an us and them
Control the
media
citizenship
Scapegoat
(to blame for all the problems)
prison or death
Jews, Gypsies

7. Rise of Extremism: Fascism & Communism
Stalin
Fascism
Hitler
Fascism
Franco
Fascism
Mussolini

8. Rise of Adolph Hitler 1923 propaganda 1928 1929 1932 1933
-Hitler, leader of Nazi party, conducts an
armed revolt in Munich
-Thrown in prison – writes “Mein Kampf” (My
Struggle)
1923
propaganda
-Hitler re-organized the NAZI (National Socialist) party.
-Established NAZI s throughout Germany – wins 12 seats
1928
-NY Stock Market Crash and economic world Depression
-Hindenburg government fails to solve economic problems
-Hitler widespread campaigns – using the airplane – rallies
1929
1932
-Hindenburg president appoints Hitler chancellor to gain support of the
Reichstag (German parliament) – believed Hitler could be controlled.
1933
-Hitler seizes power. Proclaims himself Fuhrer
The establishment of a totalitarian state. State before the Individual.

9. Why Germans Supported Hitler
Glad to see a strong man in charge
Didn’t realize his intentions even though they were documented in Mein Kampf
Inspiring leader
Brilliant and hypnotizing speaker
Inspiring Nazi rallies: songs, parades
People felt they were part of a new movement
Propaganda offered a source of all problems – the Jews
Made being a Nazi exciting – uniforms, songs, symbols

10. 1933 -Hitler becomes the “Fuhrer”
His policies – What he did!
“Lebensraum” (living room)
to take over all German-speaking countries annexed by the Treaty of Versaille (Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia)
Secret police – Gestapo
Search-out, seize, torture and terrorize all opposition
Propaganda – gave people targets to blame for all problems: The Treaty of Versailles, Jews and communists. Preached “racial purity” - Germans were a ‘master race’
Jobs - Got Germans back to work – poured money into construction and factories: new roads, weapons (forbidden by T of Versailles.) men flocked to the army