World War II Causes of World War II

After WWI, the role of the League of Nations as an international peacekeeper was challenged. First meeting of the League assembly 1920

Kellogg-Briand Pact 1929 Agreement that made war “illegal” Signed by 60 nations

Japanese military begins gaining power in late 1920s. Political chaos followed the assassination of the liberal minister Osachi Hamaguchi. Within two years, a group of Japanese military leaders took control. Japan was facing economic problems with high unemployment. To become an industrial leader they needed raw materials.

On the evening of September 18, 1931, an explosion occurred on the railroad in Mukden (city in Manchuria). The railroad was owned and operated by the Japanese government and its tracks were patrolled by Japanese soldiers. Military leaders immediately blamed Chinese nationalists for the incident and began an occupation of the area.

I. The Japanese Path to War A. In September 1931, Japanese soldiers seized Manchuria. The Japanese claimed that the Chinese had attacked their railroad. In fact, the Japanese had staged the attack themselves. (Manchurian Incident)

B. Japan strengthened its hold. on Manchuria, which it B. Japan strengthened its hold on Manchuria, which it renamed Manchukuo. U.S. opposed the Japanese takeover of Manchuria, but did nothing to stop it.

C. Chiang Kai-shek (leader of China) tried to avoid a war with Japan. He tried to appease Japan by allowing them to occupy parts of northern China. Japan would move southward, taking over more of China.

D. In July 1937, the Chinese and Japanese clashed south of Beijing. The Japanese seized the capital of Beijing.

E. Japanese military leaders wanted to establish a New Order. They NOT ONLY wanted to extend Japan’s influence throughout China, but also all of East Asia and the Western Pacific.

By 1939 the Japanese controlled about one fourth of China, including ALL seaports.

II. The German Path to War A. Adolf Hitler believed that Germany could build a great civilization. He needed more land for the German people (lebensraum).

Hitler’s Aggressions The title is: "80 million Germans live on 580,000 square kilometers." The point is that Germany is overcrowded, and needs more territory.

B. In March 1935, Hitler created a new B. In March 1935, Hitler created a new air force and began a military draft. These actions were indirect disagreement with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (Peace agreement that ended WWI). France, Great Britain, and Italy condemned Hitler’s moves.

C. In March 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland (buffer state). German soldiers were not supposed to be in this area, but Great Britain did nothing.

D. In 1936, Adolf Hitler (Germany) and Benito Mussolini (Italy) became allies forming the Rome-Berlin Axis. Germany also signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan, forming an alliance against communism.

E. In 1938, Hitler had gotten Austria to. come under German rule E. In 1938, Hitler had gotten Austria to come under German rule. (meaning annexed) The Treaty of Versailles had forbidden any union between Germany and Austria.

Addition of Austria increased Germany’s population, territory, Hitler’s Aggressions Addition of Austria increased Germany’s population, territory, and resources. Germany now controlled the heart of Europe! Reichstag Ovation 1938

Sudetenland !

Prime Minister of Great Britain Hitler’s Aggressions Munich Conference 29 Sept 1938 Hitler invited GB & France to discuss the Sudetenland situation. Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Great Britain appeasement

F. In 1938, Hitler demanded the. Sudetenland in northwestern F. In 1938, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland in northwestern Czechoslovakia be given to Germany. At the Munich conference, Britain (Neville Chamberland –prime minister) gave into Hitler’s demands and allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland. Chamberland said, “Peace in our Time.”

Appeasement was based on the belief that if European countries satisfied reasonable demands of dissatisfied states, the dissatisfied states would be content and peace would be preserved.

G. At the Munich conference,. Hitler promised that he would G. At the Munich conference, Hitler promised that he would not make any other demands. But, by March 1939 Hitler had conquered the remaining portion of Czechoslovakia. Hitler then demanded Poland.

H. France and Great Britain began to react. Great Britain said it would protect Poland if Hitler invaded. France and Britain began talks with Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader. They needed help from the Soviet Union to contain Germany.

I. Hitler was afraid of an. alliance between the West (FR and BR) I. Hitler was afraid of an alliance between the West (FR and BR) and the Soviet Union. In August 1939, Germany and Soviet Union signed the Nonaggression Pact, promising not to attack each other. Hitler secretly offered Stalin eastern Poland and the Baltic States in return for signing the pact.

Political Cartoon Hitler’s Aggressions

J. On September 1, 1939,. Germany invaded Poland J. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland without fear of an attack by the Soviet Union. September 3, 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany.