Warm-up: What were the causes of World War II?

Dictators & War

The Legacy of WWI Treaty of Versailles Germany had to pay reparations Germany had to disarm Many Germans felt humiliated Italy & Japan (Allies) expect to receive more land for their sacrifices Worldwide depression brought despair to many already suffering from the war

Totalitarianism Many countries turned to a new form of government -- totalitarianism Totalitarian governments in 1930s: Soviet Union – Joseph Stalin Italy – Benito Mussolini Germany – Adolf Hitler Each of these countries faced economic and political problems

Totalitarian Leaders Promised to bring jobs, food, and prosperity Promised to make their country great again However, brutal tactics used by these leaders resulted in the deaths of millions of people

Soviet Union Italy Joseph Stalin Benito Mussolini Attempted to turn SU into a industrial power Forced people to work in factories and on state-run farms Killed or imprisoned suspected traitors during the Great Terror Ruled through fear and massive propaganda Benito Mussolini Government unable to deal with country’s problems Asked Mussolini to help and he formed the Fascist Party with his followers the Black Shirts who fought to gain power Called Il Duce, took control of the government using secret police to maintain control

Germany Japan Adolf Hitler: Military leaders: Weimar Republic struggled with overwhelming economic and social problems Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party appointed chancellor He then seized power and created a totalitarian state He rebuilt the nations army and put people back to work in munition factories He ruled with unlimited power Violently anti-Semitic Military leaders: Attempted to solve country’s problems through aggressive military conquests Invaded Manchuria, then China with attack on Nanjing being especially brutal

Acts of Aggression in Europe and Asia

Appeasement A weak League of Nations did little to stop the aggression Many feared another war Some believed the Soviet Union posed a greater threat than Nazi Germany Others questioned the resolve of their own country and embraced a policy of isolationism Kept appeasing Hitler and continued appeasing with the Munich Pact Sacrificed the Sudetenland to Germany in return for peace Peace did not come…War came instead

Activity