1. The Road to War Underlying Causes of World War Two

2. 1. The Treaty of Versailles
Harsh terms intended to make Germany powerless
accept total blame for WW1
reduced military
reparations of $33 billion
loss of territory

3. Territorial Disputes After WWI
Many German people were living in new countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Austria.
Germany lost territory to several countries, leading to grievances.

4. 2. Rise of Fascism Fascism A system of government in which:
Nationalism is promoted
Labour and industry are regulated by a strong national government
All opposition is suppressed

5. Italian Fascism Benito Mussolini creates Fascism,
who became dictator of Italy in 1922
1922- “March on Rome”
Mussolini’s blackshirts destroyed Italy’s government

6. Rise of Adolph Hitler
1923: Hitler, leader of Nazi party, conducts an armed revolt in Munich
the “Beer Hall Putsch”
Hitler thrown in prison
Wrote “Mein Kampf” (my struggle) while in prison

7. Rise of Fascism in Germany
1933 -Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany, becoming “Fuhrer” (leader)
organized opposition was violently suppressed by the “brownshirts”
Hitler’s policy of “Lebensraum” (living room):
take over German-speaking territories in neighbouring countries such as Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia
defeat Soviet communism and expand German territory to the east into the U.S.S.R., expelling non-German people

8. Anti-Semitism in Germany
Blamed Germany’s problems on “scapegoats” such as Jews, blacks, Gypsies, homosexuals and the mentally ill.
Nazi party policy very racist and anti-Semitic
Widespread discrimination against Jews in Germany

9. 3. Failure of the League of Nations
The League of Nations was established in 1920 to prevent war, but its decisions were not legally binding
Non-intervention is when one does not involve themselves with foreign affairs.
Appeasement is the act of giving into, or satisfying ones demands.
Canada and most other countries followed a policy of non-intervention and appeasement

10. The Manchurian Crisis
Sept. 1931: Japan invaded Chinese province of Manchuria on the pretext (supposed reason) that China attacked Japanese-owned South Manchurian Railroad

11. Manchurian Crisis (con’t)
China applied to the League of Nations for help
The League condemned Japan’s actions, but there was little support for economic sanctions due to Great Depression

12. 4. Spanish Civil War In 1936 a Spanish civil war breaks out between:
New Republic government led by communists
vs.
Fascists led by Francisco Franco

13. Response to Spanish Civil War
“MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion” made up of Canadian supporters of communism - over half of volunteers die
Britain, France and Canada maintain official policy of non-intervention
Germany and Italy support the fascists with arms, equipment, and money

14. Italian Invasion of Abyssinia
Border clash between Abyssinian troops (Africa) and neighboring Italian Somaliland
Mussolini launched full-scale attack against Abyssinia
League of Nations imposes boycott against Italy, but little world enthusiasm for sanctions
England and France took no action against Italy, allowing Italian ships through the Suez canal

15. 5. Formation of Axis Powers
In 1937 Germany and Italy made a pact not to go to war with each other, later joined by Japan
They became known as the “Axis Powers” during World War Two
Hitler with Mussolini