Causes of World War II

Economic Depression Widespread unemployment in Europe and Japan helped to create totalitarian leaders Centralized and Dictatorial Must completely listen to the government These governments forced the people to do whatever they wanted

Inter-War Years Fascist parties legally gained power in Germany and Italy Government is controlled by one person or small group. The leader (dictator) pushes his people towards his/her own goals Once in power, they eliminated their opponents Rival parties were banned, censorship was imposed, and legislative bodies lost their power Germany and Italy were the first countries to become fascist

Inter-War Years Germans and Italians had lived with high unemployment and food shortages since the end of World War I Fascist governments came in, promising to change this and make a better future These countries felt cheated by the Treaty of Versailles Italy felt they deserved more Germany felt they were punished too harshly

Adolf Hitler “der Führer” Country Germany Political Party Nazi—National Socialist German Workers Party Book Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”) How He Started WWII Invasion of Poland (1939)

How Hitler Helped Germany Hitler flooded Germany’s radio, press, and movies with propaganda that stressed military might Rebuilt the army and helped the economy to recover by ordering planes, tanks, and weapons Left property rights intact (people got to keep what they already owned)

Benito Mussolini “ Il Duce ” (the Leader) Country Italy Political Party Fascist Party Goal Restore the glory of Roman Empire Country He Took Over Ethiopia (1935)

How Mussolini helped Italy Solved Italy’s unemployment problem by building up its armed forces Promised to make Italy the great power it had once been during the Roman Empire Invaded Ethiopia in 1935, creating a colonial and imperial power out of Italy

How Japan becomes Totalitarian Japanese army leaders were responsible to the Emperor, not Parliament During the Depression Japanese leaders were given permission to begin creating a Pacific Empire This would make Japan more self-sufficient

Hideki Tojo Country Japan His Needs Raw materials for industry and military Countries Invaded Korea (1905), Manchuria & China Opposed by US cut off oil supply when Japan invaded China

How Tojo helped Japan Invaded China (Manchuria) in order to gain more coal and iron Executed over 200,000 people I the Chinese capital of Nanking Franklin Roosevelt created a trade embargo against Japan, stopping all trade with the country