Causes of WWII

SWBAT: explain the causes of World War II

Do Now: 4/18/13True or False?

1. World War Two was triggered by Germany's invasion of Poland.

2. The German people thought that the Treaty of Versailles was very fair.

3. Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany in June 1933.

4. In 1938 Hitler demanded the Sudetenland region of Hungary.

5. Britain adopted a policy of appeasement towards Hitler.

6. The League of Nations was ultimately a failure.

Events leading to WWII

1. Treaty of Versailles

2. Hitler’s Actions

3. Failure of Appeasement

4. Failure of League of Nations

Failure of Appeasement

• Neville Chamberlain – Prime Minister GB• Munich Agreement 1938• Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy• Sudetenland back to Germany• Hitler invaded Czech: March, 1939• "..a quarrel in a far-away country between

people of whom we know nothing.”• Committed to aiding Poland if Germany

invaded

Failures of the League of Nations

• Japan invades Manchuria (1931)

• League orders Japan out ignored

• League orders countries to end trade with Japan WHY doesn’t this work?

Nuremburg Laws

• September 5, 1935• Laws for protection of “German blood

and German honor”• Legal discrimination against Jews• Clear definition of who was & was not a

Jew• Eventually included Romani, blacks &

Germans with mental and genetic deformities

Kristallnacht

• November 9 & 10, 1938• “Night of Crystal” – Night of Broken Glass• Germany, annexed Austria, Sudetenland• Led by Nazi officials – SA & Hitler Youth• German officials announced it was a

spontaneous outburst of public sentiment in response to the assassination of Ernst vom Rath

• Jews fined for Nazi’s attack

Invasion of Poland• 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact• 1939 – “September Campaign” • German September 1, 1939• Soviet Union September 17, 1939• ENDS: October 6, 1939• Divided Poland among Germany, Soviets &

Slovakia • Britain & France declare war on Germany

September 3, 1939

Exit Ticket

• How is the invasion of Poland going to trigger WWII?

• Why do you think this was the MAIN reason that sides were drawn and war broke out in 1939?

• What makes Poland worse than other events leading up to the war?

• How is this similar/different than WWI?

Do Now: 4/18/13"Leading up to WWII"1. What was Hitler's "pure German Race"2. Describe the term "Lebensraum"3. What alliances did Hitler form that further voided the Treaty of Versailles?4. WHY was nothing done to stop Hitler's aggressive actions? Explain each country's reasoning for not getting involved. "Outbreak of WWII (1939)"1. Explain the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Agression Pact.2. After the invasion of Poland, what nations did Stalin move on to conquer next?3. Why did two sworn enemies, Stalin and Hitler, join together in a pact? "WWII in the West" 1. Describe the term "blitzkrieg". Why is this significant?2. What was the outcome of Marshall Philippe Petain's request for an Armistice? (where was it installed?)3. Describe the plan "Operation Sea Lion" - Who wins? What is the significance of the Battle?