Main Causes of World War Two

1. Treaty of Versailles2. Economic Conditions3. Rise of Fascism/Dictatorships – Hitler, Mussolini

and friends4. Failure of the League of Nations5. Rise of the Nazi party6. Failure of Appeasement

7. Alliances

Treaty of Versailles• The Treaty of Versailles was a

shock to Germany. At first they refused to sign it but the Allies warned that they would continue to invade Germany unless they did.

• The biggest humiliation was the guilt clause where Germany had to accept the responsibility for all losses and damages caused by WWI. This meant that they were admitting that the war was their fault.

• The German people were outraged but could do nothing.

Economic Conditions• The Great depression in North America

and Europe hurt people and greatly. • The German government borrowed

money to finance their part in the great war and were unable to pay back their loans. To create more currency they simply printed off more paper money. Super inflation hit Germany and the mark became worthless.

• Workers were paid in wheelbarrows full of money and were still unable to buy even the bare necessities.

• Unemployment hit levels as high as 50% and little help was available for those who needed it.

Rise of Fascism/Dictatorships• Fascism and dictatorships took

control of several major European countries after WWI including Italy, Spain, Japan, Russia and Germany.

• These ruthless and violent leaders took power with military support and demanded complete obedience from their people.

• Preying on the weaknesses of the people these leaders lead their people with promises of greatness and expansion of empires.

Failure of the League of Nations• League of Nations was

developed to solve disagreements between countries peacefully.

• Despite the fact that this was an American idea, the League was looked at as an organization set up to prevent wars in Europe.

• The USA believed that Britain and France would control the League and decided towards an attitude of “Isolationism” (minding one’s own business).

• USA did not join the League.

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• Countries like Canada did join the League and promised to stop any aggressors. They planned to use a trade boycott as the threat to discourage aggression.

• Unfortunately, without the United States the league lacked any real power.

• Japan, Italy and Germany all test the league through aggressive actions and the league failed to respond in a decisive or effective manner. Germany, Italy and Japan all withdraw from the league and render it virtually powerless.

Rise of the Nazi Party• Hitler turned the newly democratic country

into a dictatorship through control of the military.

• Once the Nazis were elected to power in 1933 they crushed and eliminated all other political rivals.

• Hitler provided work for the German people as war factories began to turn out weapons of destruction and new cars (Volkswagen).

• This new prosperity made Hitler and the Nazi party very popular.

• Hitler acted fast to break the Treaty of Versailles by expanding the army and by remilitarizing the Rhineland.

• The German people viewed the breaking of the treaty as a victory and increase Hitler’s popularity and he became even more powerful.

• Germany, Italy and Japan all agreed to fight the spread of communism and signed a pact to help each other to expand their territories.

Failure of Appeasement• The great depression had created

enormous problems at home and there was little energy left for other people’s problems.

• People in other countries even supported Hitler’s attacks on Jews as strong feelings of anti-Semitism were not uncommon during this time.

• Many people feared that the Communists would spread and hoped that the Fascists would stop their expansion.

• Leaders also believed that if they gave Hitler a little of what he wanted he would be satisfied and stop at that - they were fooled by Hitler and never thought he would take the actions that he did.

Alliances• Beginning in early 1930s, Germany, Italy and Japan all began campaigns to acquire territory• Tried to solve the depression in their countries by military buildup• Other nations, burned out by WWI, unwilling to stop them

JAPAN:1933: storms out of League of Nations

1937: invades China

1938: at war with China

1940: Axis Pact with Germany and Italy

The Nazi-Soviet Pact

The Nazi-Soviet Pact• Hitler and Stalin agreed to split up Poland giving some land to the

Soviets and some to the Germans.

• Non-aggression was the main component, assuring that neither side would attack the other and any violence was strictly forbidden.

• The treaty or pact was definitely not an alliance. The two powers did not agree to war efforts.

• The economic agreement of August 13, 1939 named USSR to provide Germany with food and raw materials.

• Germany would supply the U.S.S.R. with finished products.