1. Causes of WWII  Treaty of Versailles was supposed to permanently end all conflict between the warring nations- instead, it made things worse Germany was blamed for causing the war and forced to pay reparations Italy and Japan believed they should have received more land from the war Soviet Union underwent a communist takeover

2. Causes of WWII  Worldwide depression only made things worse and led to the rise of a totalitarian state: Single-party dictatorship controls all aspects of life Strong, charismatic leaders State control of economy Use of terror to enforce will of state Government control of media

3. Causes of WWII  Soviet Union- Lenin died in 1924, leading to the rise of Joseph Stalin Dreamed of transforming the Soviet Union into an industrial power Responsible for the deaths of over 10 million Russians Maintained power through fear and propaganda

4. Causes of WWII  Italy- Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist Party, which promoted nationalism and promised to make Italy a world power again Used frustrations over the results of WWI to take control of Italy Outlawed other political parties, created a secret police, took over the press, and created educational programs

5. Causes of WWII  Japan- Like Italy, Japan was an Allied power during WWI, but was upset at the lack of land gain During the Great Depression, Japan increased its military power In 1931 and in 1937, Japan took control of portions of China ○ “Rape of Nanjing”- 200,000 Chinese murdered by Japanese forces

6. Causes of WWII  Germany Wiemar Republic (democracy) took control after WWI The worldwide depression hurt Germany more than anyone else Led to the rise of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party) ○ Opposed anything that went against German ethnic solidarity

7. Causes of WWII  Nazi Party Adolf Hitler gained control of the Nazi’s shortly after WWI Wrote the book Mein Kampf while in prison for a failed rebellion ○ Anti-Semitic: prejudiced against Jewish people ○ Set blueprint of his hatred and plans for world domination

8. Causes of WWII  Nazis (continued): In 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany by the president of the Weimar Republic 2 years later, Hitler was chancellor and president of Germany Secret Police (SS) crushed opposition, controlled press praised him, schools supported him Economic policies of rearmament and massive public works projects ended the German depression

9. Causes of WWII  During the 1930s, the rising powers of Europe began to aggressively expand their territory: Germany wanted to reunite all German people into one Reich (state)- took Saar and Rhineland regions (from France) Italy invaded and conquered Ethiopia  Response of the League of Nations? Nothing

10. Causes of WWII  Spanish Civil War- 1936-1939 takeover by Fascist radicals led by Francisco Franco Germany and Italy sent aid to the rebels to test out new military technology France, Britain, and the US did nothing

11. Causes of WWII  Appeasement- Granting concessions to a potential enemy in the hope that it will maintain peace ○ 1938, Germany brought Austria and the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) in the Reich ○ Munich Pact- France and Britain allowed the takeovers under the promise that Germany would no longer expand

12. Causes of WWII  Why appeasement? Avoid the destruction of a massive war A strong Germany would provide a buffer against the Soviet Union, which was seen as a bigger threat

13. Causes of WWII  War Erupts in Europe Spring of 1939, Hitler violated the Munich Pact by taking control of the rest of Czechoslovakia Knowing that Poland was next, England and France signed an alliance with Poland guaranteeing aid if there was an attack Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nonagression Pact in August of 1939, publically promising not to attack one another

14. Causes of WWII  War Erupts in Europe (cont) September 1, 1939: Germany launches an all out assault on Poland (blitzkrieg) Planes, tanks, and automobiles rushed through Poland with devastating results The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the East (September 17) France and Britain declared war on Germany

15. Causes of WWII  Knowing that the Soviets would not attack him from the East, Hitler sent his troops west in the spring of 1940 Denmark and Norway fell immediately Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg were next May, 1940, Germany invaded and conquered France

16. Causes of WWII  With France under his control, Hitler focused his attention on Britain  To get control of the Island, Hitler’s plan was to use his air force (Luftwaffe) to control the English Channel  Battle of Britain (July 1940) saw dogfighting and bombing raids “The Blitz”- months long bombing raid on London  Britain held and Germany ended its plans