1. Causes of WWII

2. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
3 major powers were unhappy with the outcome of WWI
Germany resented loss of territory & reparations payments
Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933

4. Italy: wanted territory
Mussolini comes to power in 1922
Fascism
Japan: wanted control of China
Military becomes powerful in government

5. Failure of Peace Efforts
League of Nations
Had limited powers
Failed to respond to aggressive actions (e.g. Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935)

6. Washington Conference (1921-22): countries limited the size of their navies
1934: Japan pulled out of treaty
US was not prepared militarily

7. Formation of Axis Coalition
Treaties between Germany, Italy, & Japan ( )
Became the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis

8. Germany Begins to Act Aggressively in Europe
1934: Germany begins to rearm
March 1938: Hitler takes over Austria

9. Sept 1938: Hitler threatens war to get the Sudetenland
Munich Pact: Germany got 1/3 of Czechoslovakia if Hitler promised not to take any more land

10. March 1939: Hitler invades Czechoslovakia; England & France promise to help Poland
Aug 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact

11. Sept 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland
Sept 3, 1939: England & France declare war on Germany
April 1940: Hitler conquered Denmark & Norway

13. May 1940: Hitler invades Belgium & the Netherlands; then France
June 1940: France surrenders
August 1940: Battle of Britain begins