Causes of World War II
What was World War II
The most significant effect of World War I was World War II. Because of
the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, forced upon an exhausted Germany
and her allies, the defeated countries could not recover from World War I.
The collapse of their economies and the demand for reparations caused
intense hardship, with no end in sight. World War II was a direct outcome
of the harsh treatment imposed by the peace treaty that ended World
War I.
In this treaty, land was confiscated from Germany, its military power was
restrained, and it was forced to pay reparations for the damages caused.
This severely limited Germany's economic and military power.
Treaty of Versailles:
In 28 June 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in Paris.
This treaty said that Germany was responsible for starting World
War I and also made them pay money and give up land.
The “Big Four” leaders of the US, Britain, France, and Italy were in
charge of the peace negotiations.
The treaty, which represented “peace” for some and a “diktat” for others, also
sowed the seeds of the Second World War, which would break out twenty years
later.
Dictators of World War II:
Hitler Mussolini Stalin
A dictator has total power of a nation. Dictators usually resort to force or fraud to
gain despotic political power, which they maintain through the use of intimidation,
terror, and the suppression of basic civil liberties.
Prior to World War II, two major nations experienced the leadership of dictators.
Italy was led by Benito Mussolini and Germany was led by Adolf Hitler politician who
was the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. Together these nations joined with
Japan to form the Axis Powers and caused great damage to the world during World
War II.
Consequences of the Treaty of Versailles:
The Treaty of Versailles was received very badly within Germany. The nation had
been blamed entirely for the first world war and had been forced to pay
compensation to the allies under the war guilt clause of the treaty. The war guilt
clause not only made the Germans accept responsibility for the war but also cost
them dearly. Initially they refused to sign the treaty and opted to scuttle the fleet in
protest.
The Treaty restricted the Germans armed forces to only 100,000 men in the army, no
submarines or aeroplanes, and only six battleships. In addition, conscription was
banned (soldiers had to be volunteers). The idea was to reduce Germany's armed
forces to a size where they could never endanger the countries round about.
After that Germany used the Versailles Treaty to resist and reject German
democracy and the Weimar Republic, probably because the treaty was so
unpopular among German citizens.
Who was Involved in World War II?
Great Britain, France, the
Germany, Italy, Japan. United States, and the Soviet
Union.
The Axis powers The Allied Powers
Causes of World War II
The Impact of World War I:
World War I was one of history’s deadliest wars, causing over 20 million deaths.
Over 8.5 million soldiers lost their lives, and more than 21 million were wounded.
There were about 7 million civilian deaths, and countless others were injured,
starved or made homeless. This table presents conservative estimates for military
casualties of the major combatant nations.
The First World War changed the nature of warfare. Technology became an
essential element in the art of war with airplanes, submarines, tanks all playing
important new roles. Mass production techniques developed during the war for
the building of armaments revolutionised other industries in the post-war years.
Before the war, a woman’s role was in the home, but with the
men away at war, help was needed in the workplace, so millions
of women went to work in offices, factories, shops, transport and
on farms.
The German economy had suffered during the War. The
situation hardy improved as a result of the Armistice, the
Germans hadn’t the means to purchase fuel on a large scale
and found it difficult to purchase raw materials in any case as
the international community shunned them as a consequence of
the war.
The armistice in November 1918 did not bring much easing in the
food crisis. The Blockade of Germany, or the Blockade of
Europe, occurred from 1914 to 1919. In the years following World
War I, there was spiraling hyperinflation of the German
currency. Economic chaos increased social unrest and
destabilized the fragile Weimar Republic.
Causes of World War II
How World War I changed the map of Europe:
Four new countries appeared on the map, and others such as Romania saw their
borders radically redrawn. Germany lost land mostly to Poland and there were now
German speaking enclaves in every country around the German border.
Land and people:
Germany lost all its overseas colonies in Africa and Asia, and over a tenth of its
land in Europe, including some of its most productive industrial areas. Many of the
countries created around Germany, such as Czechoslovakia and Poland, now
controlled territory with large ethnic German populations.
Hitler spoke about 'the fate of the Germans living beyond the frontiers of Germany
who are allied with us in speech, culture, and customs. In 1938, he annexed Austria
and part of Czechoslovakia, in the name of uniting ethnic Germans. The following
year, acting on his promise over 16 years earlier to provide land and soil to feed
the German people, he invaded Poland. World War Two had begun.
Fascism:
With the economic turmoil left behind by World War I, some countries were taken
over by dictators who formed powerful fascist governments. These dictators
wanted to expand their empires and were looking for new lands to conquer. The
first fascist government was Italy which was ruled by the dictator Mussolini. Italy
invaded and took over Ethiopia in 1935. Adolf Hitler would later emulate Mussolini
in his takeover of Germany. Another Fascist government was Spain ruled by the
dictator Franco.
Hitler and the Nazi Party:
In Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power. The Germans were
desperate for someone to turn around their economy and restore their national
pride. Hitler offered them hope. In 1934, Hitler was proclaimed the "Fuhrer"
(leader) and became dictator of Germany.
Hitler resented the restrictions put on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. While
talking about peace, Hitler began to rearm Germany. He allied Germany with
Mussolini and Italy. Then Hitler looked to restore Germany to power by expanding
his empire. He first took over Austria in 1938. When the League of Nations did
nothing to stop him, Hitler became bolder and took over Czechoslovakia in 1939.
"...The Treaty was made in order to bring 20
million Germans to their deaths and
to ruin the German nation...”
Adolf Hitler’s Speech on the Treaty of Versailles
(April 17, 1923)
Appeasement:
After World War I, the nations of Europe were weary and did not want another
war. When countries such as Italy and Germany became aggressive and began to
take over their neighbors and build up their armies, countries such as Britain and
France hoped to keep peace through "appeasement." This meant that they tried to
make Germany and Hitler happy rather than try to stop him. They hoped that by
meeting his demands he would be satisfied and there wouldn't be any war.
Unfortunately, the policy of appeasement backfired. It only made Hitler bolder. It
also gave him time to build up his army.
Interesting Facts about the Causes of World War II:
Because of the Great Depression, many countries were experiencing strong
fascist and communist movements including France and Great Britain prior to
the war.
Prior to World War II, the United States attempted to stay out of world issues
with a policy of isolationism. They were not members of the League of Nations.
As part of their appeasement policy, Britain and France agreed to let Hitler
have part of Czechoslovakia in the Munich Agreement. Czechoslovakia had no
say in the deal. The Czechoslovakians called the agreement the "Munich
Betrayal."
Japan had taken over Korea, Manchuria, and a significant part of China before
World War II began.
Invasion of Poland (1939):
The Invasion of Poland in 1939 was a military offensive in which Nazi Germany,
and two weeks later the Soviet Union, invaded Poland. It was the start of World
War II in Europe.
Name
Causes of World War II
TRUE OR FALSE?: Place a check in the correct column.
STATEMENT T F
1. Germany was pleased with the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles.
2. The “Big Four” leaders of the of the Treaty of Versailles: US,
Britain, France, and Germany.
3. Germany had to pay reparations for the damage caused
by World War I.
4. A dictator has total power of a nation.
5. the leadership Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler joined with
Japan to form the Allied Powers.
6. Germany had been forced to pay compensation to the
allies under the war.
7. The Treaty restricted the Germans' armed forces to only
50,000 men.
8. Germany lost land mostly to Poland.
9. Adolf Hitler Becomes Leader of the Nazi Party.
10. The second fascist government was Italy which was ruled
by the dictator Mussolini.
Name
Causes of World War II
Identify: Use the word bank to identify each description.
Treaty of
Axis powers Poland Nazi Party
Versailles
Great
Adolf Hitler Mussolini Allied Powers
Depression
The period before World War II was a time of great economic
11
suffering.
12 Politician who was the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945.
13 Agreement that angered Germans after WWI.
14 The period before War was a time of great economic suffering.
Allied between great britain, france, the united states, and the
15
soviet union.
The Invasion in 1939 was a military offensive in which Nazi
16
Germany.
17 Allied between Germany, Italy, Japan.
18 Hitler was proclaimed the "Fuhrer" (leader).
Multiple Choice: Match each term with its description.
19. What was the name of the treaty signed between Germany
and the Allied Powers to end World War I?
Treaty of WW1
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Germany
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Berlin
Name
20. Which fascist dictator ruled Spain?
Franco
Mussolini
Stalin
Roosevelt
Hitler
21. What political party took control of the German government?
Democrat
Communist
Nazi
Republican
Labor
22. Who became dictator of Germany in 1934?
Franco
Mussolini
Stalin
Roosevelt
Hitler
23. What provoked Britain and France to declare war on Germany?
Hitler bombed Africa
Hitler invaded Poland
Hitler invaded the Italy
Hitler invaded the Sudetenland
24. Which of the following was NOT a cause of World War II?
The invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany
Germany military power was restrained
Hitler invaded the Japan
The Treaty of Versailles was too harsh
Name
Causes of World War II
TRUE OR FALSE?: Place a check in the correct column.
STATEMENT T F
1. Germany was pleased with the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles.
2. The “Big Four” leaders of the of the Treaty of Versailles: US,
Britain, France, and Germany.
3. Germany had to pay reparations for the damage caused
by World War I.
4. A dictator has total power of a nation.
5. the leadership Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler joined with
Japan to form the Allied Powers.
6. Germany had been forced to pay compensation to the
allies under the war.
7. The Treaty restricted the Germans' armed forces to only
50,000 men.
8. Germany lost land mostly to Poland.
9. Adolf Hitler Becomes Leader of the Nazi Party.
10. The second fascist government was Italy which was ruled
by the dictator Mussolini.
Name
Causes of World War II
Identify:
Treaty of
Axis powers Poland Nazi Party
Versailles
Great
Adolf Hitler Mussolini Allied Powers
Depression
The period before World War II was a time of great economic
11 Mussolini
suffering.
12 Adolf Hitler Politician who was the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945.
13 Treaty of Versailles Agreement that angered Germans after WWI.
14 Great Depression The period before War was a time of great economic suffering.
Allied between great britain, france, the united states, and the
15 Allied Powers
Use the word bank to identify each description.
soviet union.
The Invasion in 1939 was a military offensive in which Nazi
16 Poland
Germany.
17 Axis powers Allied between Germany, Italy, Japan.
18 Nazi Party Hitler was proclaimed the "Fuhrer" (leader).
Multiple Choice: Match each term with its description.
19. What was the name of the treaty signed between Germany
and the Allied Powers to end World War I?
Treaty of WW1
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Germany
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Berlin
Name
20. Which fascist dictator ruled Spain?
Franco
Mussolini
Stalin
Roosevelt
Hitler
21. What political party took control of the German government?
Democrat
Communist
Nazi
Republican
Labor
22. Who became dictator of Germany in 1934?
Franco
Mussolini
Stalin
Roosevelt
Hitler
23. What provoked Britain and France to declare war on Germany?
Hitler bombed Africa
Hitler invaded Poland
Hitler invaded the Italy
Hitler invaded the Sudetenland
24. Which of the following was NOT a cause of World War II?
The invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany
Germany military power was restrained
Hitler invaded the Japan
The Treaty of Versailles was too harsh
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