The Causes of

World War II

SOL USII.7a

Created by

Linda Ellis GRT

Political and economic conditions in Europe following World War I

led to the rise of fascism and to World War II. Germany was

devastated by the Terms of The Treaty of

Versailles. In the Treaty they were

blamed for starting the war, they had to pay 6

million for damage caused by the war and

they had land taken away. The Germans

felt that the Treaty was unfair.

There were 2 main causes of World War II

1. Political instability and economic devastation in Europe resulting from World War I

2. The Rise of Fascism

The causes of World War II1. Political instability and economic devastation in

Europe resulting from World War I World wide depression High war debt owed by Germany High inflation Massive unemployment

Causes of WWII World wide DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide world wide depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was the longest, most widespread, and deepest

depression of the 20th century, and is used in the 21st century as an example of how far the world's

economy can decline. The depression originated in the United

States, starting with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929

(known as Black Tuesday), but quickly spread to almost every

country in the world.

“Diligent young man seeks work"

“Bennett buggies,” or "Hoover wagons", cars pulled by horses, were used by farmers too

impoverished to purchase gasoline

Causes of WWII continued High war debt owed by Germany

World War I reparations refers to the payments and transfers of property and equipment that Germany was forced to make under the Treaty of Versailles

(1919) following its defeat during World War I. In January 1921, the total sum due was

decided by an Inter-Allied Reparations Commission and

was set at 269 billion gold marks (2,790 gold marks equaled 1

kilogram of pure gold), (roughly equivalent to $393.6 Billion US Dollars as of 2005), a sum that many economists at the time deemed to be excessive. This economic burden was deemed

unfair by most Germans

Causes of WWII continuedHigh Inflation

Inflation is a rise in the prices (cost) of goods

and services in an economy over a period of time. When the price level rises, each unit of

money buys fewer goods and services; so, annual inflation is also

an erosion in the purchasing power of

money. When inflation is high people can only

afford less.

Causes of WWII continuedMassive Unemployment

Unemployment occurs when a person is

available and willing to work but currently without work. The

prevalence of unemployment is

usually measured using the unemployment

rate, which is defined as the percentage of

those in the labor force who are unemployed.

Data for (February 2010) showed a decline in the number of Americans who have

submitted the first applications for unemployment benefits up from 625 000

to 627 000 in the previous week

Causes of World War II1. Political instability and economic devastation in

Europe resulting from World War IWorld wide

depression

High Inflation

Massive Unemploymen

t

High War Debt owed

by Germany

2. The rise of fascism

Causes of World War II 2. The Rise of Fascism threatened peace in Europe and Asia

Fascism is a political philosophy

in which total power is given to a

dictator and individual

freedoms are denied and

nationalism and, often racism are

emphasized.Fascism

Fascist Dictators of WWII

Adolf HitlerGermany

Benito Mussolini

Italy

Hideki TojoJapan

These dictators led the countries that became known as the Axis Powers

The two sides of the conflict in WWII were the Axis countries and the Allied

Countries.The Axis countries were: Germany Italy Japan

The Allied countries were: Great Britain United States Soviet Union

Allied Leaders

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Harry S. Truman

Winston Churchill

Joseph Stalin

There was a gradual change in American Policy from neutrality to direct involvement

Isolationism (The Great Depression, legacy of WWIIsolationism is a national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries

Economic Aid to AlliesAmericans did not want to become directly involved in the war but they started giving economic aid to Allied countries

Direct involvement in the warDecember 7, 1941, Japan attacked American forces at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and forced America to go to war

War in the Pacific Rising tension

developed between the United States and Japan because of Japanese aggression in East Asia (China)

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor without warning

The United States declared war on Japan

Germany declared war on the United States

Causes of World War II