Causes of WWII
Rise of Totalitarian Regimes 3 major powers were unhappy with the outcome of WWI Germany resented loss of territory & reparations payments Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933
Italy: wanted territory Mussolini comes to power in 1922 Fascism Japan: wanted control of China Military becomes powerful in government
Failure of Peace Efforts League of Nations Had limited powers Failed to respond to aggressive actions (e.g. Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935)
Washington Conference (1921-22): countries limited the size of their navies 1934: Japan pulled out of treaty US was not prepared militarily
Formation of Axis Coalition Treaties between Germany, Italy, & Japan (1936-1940) Became the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis
Germany Begins to Act Aggressively in Europe 1934: Germany begins to rearm March 1938: Hitler takes over Austria
Sept 1938: Hitler threatens war to get the Sudetenland Munich Pact: Germany got 1/3 of Czechoslovakia if Hitler promised not to take any more land
March 1939: Hitler invades Czechoslovakia; England & France promise to help Poland Aug 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact
Sept 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland Sept 3, 1939: England & France declare war on Germany April 1940: Hitler conquered Denmark & Norway
May 1940: Hitler invades Belgium & the Netherlands; then France June 1940: France surrenders August 1940: Battle of Britain begins