Causes of WWIIThe world at war…again
Main Causes of WWII Treaty of Versailles Great Depression Totalitarianism Policy of Appeasement Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Treaty of Versailles Allied powers met in early 1919 (at the end of
WWI) to discuss Germany’s fate Purpose-prevent another world war Harsh on Germany
Germany had to admit they started the war Pay reparations $33 billion Limited army to 100,000 Germany lost territory and colonies
Germany and the Great Depression
Germany’s econ went down the tubes To pay for the war the govt. printed
TONS of money in the 20’s lowering the value of German $$
The world depression in the late 1920’s & 30’s made it worse for Germany
They were unable to make the payments back from the war
Totalitarianism Totalitarian dictatorship: A dictatorship in which the
government uses intimidation, violence, and propaganda to rule all aspects of social and political life of its citizens.
Modern weapons made it possible for dictators to control the populations
Germany and Italy were fascist (militarism and extreme nationalism) totalitarian regimes: The government controlled econ and resources
One leader has all power
Hitler
In the 20s Nazi’s gained support by criticizing the democratic government in Germany and the Treaty of Versailles
1933 Hitler became Chancellor of Germany He banned all political parties other than Nazis Used Gestapo (secret police) to enforce rules Defied terms of the treaty by using money to build up his
military
Stalin’s Communist Soviet Union 1924 Stalin became the leader 5 year plans to industrialize the country & give the
government control of the economy Seized privately owned land & controlled media Strict censorship & travel restrictions Arrested anyone who was a threat The great purge of the 30s: Stalin eliminated anyone who
opposed communism-many executed Many died of starvation COMMUNISM
Mussolini’s Italy After WWI, Italy struggled economically & politically Mussolini established the fascist party
challenging democracy. Created “black shirt” gang who attacked
communists and socialists in the streets 1922 March of Rome: 26,000 black shirts &
demanded government be turned over to him After taking over Italy he brought all
communications under fascist control
Appeasement Appeasement: policy of satisfying or giving into
demands. When a country becomes aggressive, other countries give the aggressor what it wants to prevent war.
The treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give up Rhineland
March 1936 Hitler violated it and sent troops to Rhineland
1938 troops moved into Austria and made it apart of Germany
GB & France did nothing
Appeasing Hitler cont. 1938 Hitler threatens to invade Sudetenland (W. part
of Czech., bordering Germany) GB & France panic & call a conference in Munich,
Germany They tried to negotiate with Hitler to try to avoid
war Hitler wanted Sudetenland so they gave it to him if
he promised not invade the rest of Czech. …That promise didn’t last long. He invaded in
March 1939
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Soviets played no role in appeasement Because Soviet Union was communist GB & Fr. Wanted
nothing to do with them Stalin tried to form a pact with them to instill fear in
Hitler His proposal was rejected Stalin feared Nazi Germany because Hitler declared he
would take them down
Non-Aggression Pact Hitler approached Stalin about pact Agreed that neither would attack the other 1939 Hitler was trying to avoid two-front war Split Poland between the two countries Both sides knew the other was lying and would
not keep pact Signing the pact cleared the way for Hitler to
invade Poland September 1, 1939 Hitler invades Poland and
WWII begins
Alliances Axis-Germany, Italy and Japan
Allies-Great Britain, France, Russia and US
How does Japan fit into this? Japan was severely affected by the Great Depression Japan needed more land and resources for its
expanding population Japanese military leaders thought territorial
expansion was the best solution By 1931 Japanese forces invaded Chinese region of
Manchuria By 1937 Japan and China at war 1940 Japan signed an alliance with Germany and
Italy entering WWII
Why the Jews? The Jews were the ‘scapegoat.’ The Nazis said the
Jews were responsible for them losing the war and the economic crisis.
All problems caused by the Jews Hitler believed in the the superiority of the German or
Aryan race. Wanted racial “purity” Hitler had been open about his views of Jews since
1925 when he wrote Mein Kampf When he came to power he spread these beliefs and
acted upon them
Propaganda in the War Propaganda: information of a biased or misleading
nature, used to promote or publicize a political cause or point of view
Purpose: 1) To demonize the enemy 2) Encourage viewers to buy war bonds 3) Help rally people behind the war 4) Help to relieve the tension from the war
What message is this poster trying to send?
How does it portray the enemy?
Who is the message intended for?
What message is it trying to send?
How does it portray the enemy?
Who is the message intended for?
What message is it trying to send?
Who is the message intended for?
Propaganda Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHL-sPV01q4
What did you see in the video? How did they portray the Nazis and Germany? What was the message of the video? Why would they use propaganda in kid cartoons? Do you think it was effective?
German Aggression Hitler uses blitzkrieg: means “lightening war”
take by surprise and with speed. Hitler invades Poland, Denmark, Norway,
Belgium, The Netherlands and France and took all very quickly
Attacked Britain from the air- was never able to overcome GB air force
Unsuccessfully invaded the Soviets. Had to retreat. This was the downfall of Germany’s war effort. Didn’t learn from Napoleon.
Italy Italy invaded Greece and North Africa. The Greek campaign was a failure Allies win victory in N. Africa
Japan Leader Tojo expanding empire Organized attack on Pearl Harbor which officially
brought the US into the war US eventually used the atomic bomb on Japan and
they surrendered in 1945
Normandy (D-Day) June 6, 1944 “D-Day” Landing of Allied forces on the coast of France
which lead to a German retreat France was liberated and Allied troops push
eastward into Germany that leads to German surrender in 1945
End of the War 1945 Allies close in on Berlin Hitler commits suicide, Germans surrender Yalta Conference between Churchill, Stalin, and
FDR in Feb. 1945 planned to create the United Nations as a peacekeeping body
Potsdam Conference between Stalin, Churchill and Truman outlined hopes for justice against war criminals from the Nazi regime
Germany got split into four sections-Berlin wall Nuremberg Trials-trail of Nazis for their war
crimes some to prison and some death