Causes of WWII

1. The Great Depression 2. The Treaty of Versailles 3. The Failure of the League of Nations 4. The Rise of Fascism 5. The Appeasement of Hitler 6. The Invasion of Poland 6 Main Causes of WWII

The Great Depression 1. Millions of People out of work 2. People are desperate 3. People looked for change

The Rise of Fascism Fascism = Dictators Dictators = Brutality and Aggression Total Power =

Dictators of the 1930s Hitler – Germany Hitler – Germany Mussolini – Italy Mussolini – Italy Stalin – Russia Stalin – Russia Hirohito – Japan Hirohito – Japan Franco - Spain Franco - Spain

The Treaty of Versailles 1. Ended World War One

2. Main purpose was to punish Germany 3. Forced Germany to admit they caused the war

4. Forced Germany to pay for the war 5. Destroyed the German Economy Economy

Reparations Germany had to pay for all damages caused by the war. The price was set at: which equalled which equalled $ $ Today it would be approximately: approximately: $ $ The debt would not be paid off until 1988

6. Led to the election of Adolf Hitler

The League of Nations Purpose Purpose The League was established to ensure that war never broke out again. This would be done through collective security and preservation of peace through talking through international disputes. How: Forcing one or two countries to work out their problems peacefully

The Failure of the League of Nations It was weak from the beginning, and had spectacular failures in Manchuria and Abyssinia, and in making Hitler keep the Treaty of Versailles. It was weak from the beginning, and had spectacular failures in Manchuria and Abyssinia, and in making Hitler keep the Treaty of Versailles.

Japanese Aggression : the Japanese army invaded Manchuria : the Japanese army invaded Manchuria : The Japanese invade China 3. The Japanese commit terrible attrocities 4. The League does nothing

Abyssinia 1. In 1935 Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia). 2. He wanted war and glory. 3. He tested new weapons of war against tribal people.

4. Abyssinia asked the League to help. 5. The League did nothing. 5. The League did nothing.

POLAND POLAND 1. Because of Appeasement and the failure of The League of Nations, Hitler thinks he can do whatever he wants without opposition.

2. On 1 September 1939, Hitler invades Poland. 3. On 3 September 1939, Chamberlain declared war on Germany. Chamberlain declared war on GermanyChamberlain declared war on Germany 4. WWII Begins!

5. On May 10, after British forces are defeated by Germany in Norway, Chamberlain resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Winston Churchill.