2.  WWII started on Sept 1 st, 1939 with the German invasion of Poland  In response, Britain & France declared war on Germany on Sept 3  Canada declared war on Germany on Sept 10  Before we examine Canada’s involvement, we need to understand what led to the conflict

6.  32 victorious countries met at the Palace of Versailles (just outside Paris, France) to develop a peace settlement in 1919  Restore order & reshape world after four years of war  Main decisions were made by the so-called “Big 4”, the leaders of the top allied nations at that time (Britain, France, USA, Italy)  Because of our strong role in the war effort, Canada was represented as a single nation at the meetings & at the official treaty signing.  Germany was not invited to the peace talks

7.  Officially ended hostilities between Allies & Central Powers  Terms were designed to weaken Germany so it would not wage war again  The drafters of the treaty wanted to make WW1 “the war to end all wars”  Changed the borders of Europe creating new countries in Eastern Europe from the pre-war Austrian, German, Russian, & Ottoman empires  Formation of the League of Nations

8. United States….Woodrow Wilson Great Britain….David Lloyd George France….George Clemenceau Italy…Vittorio Orlando

9.  One result that came from Versailles was the redrawing of many longstanding borders & the creation of new countries within Europe  Many of these were formed from territory that once had once belonged to the German, Austrian, & Ottoman Empires  The emergence of these new countries led to many boundary issues that created tensions in Europe during the interwar years

12.  http://www.the-map-as- history.com/demos/tome03/index.php

13.  The terms of the Versailles Treaty that the Big Four imposed on Germany following WW1 were extremely harsh as they attempted to cripple Germany militarily, territorially, & economically  By doing so the Allies had hoped to make renewed aggression from Germany impossible  Instead, the treaty did the opposite, for it gave the German people grievances to which the German dictator Adolph Hitler would appeal

14.  Germany had to pay reparations,($33 million in war damages) the bulk of which would go to France & Belgium to pay for the damage done to their infrastructure during WWI  Germany had to admit full responsibility for starting WWI  German had to give up all conquered lands & overseas possessions which became League of Nations Mandates  Germany was forbidden to unite with Austria

15.  Reduction of German military Army reduced to 100 000 men Conscription was banned Only allowed limited naval ships Forbidden to have modern weapons such as armoured vehicles, submarines, aircraft, or tanks

16.  As we have discovered, the old pre-WW1 German empire in Europe was dismantled at Versailles  Germany lost national territory in Europe to surrounding countries including France, Belgium, Denmark with most going to the newly created Poland

19.  For Germany, it was to agree to the terms of the treaty & sign or face an invasion by allied forces

20.  Hitler used these harsh terms to come to power in Germany  He promised to restore a sense of pride for Germans and unite all Germans into one country again  People in other countries (like Canada) thought Germany had been treated unfairly and agreed with Hitler (at first)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/hi story/mwh/ir1/treatyact.shtml

21.  Founded by the winners of WWI in 1919 to create permanent peace through collective security Collective security meant that if a member was threatened with conflict, the others would come to its aid- preferably by discussion & diplomacy rather than by the use of force

22.  Disputes/issues could also go to arbitration at the International Court of Justice  If members went to war with another, other members would refuse to trade with the aggressor  The League had many aims, including the improvement of world health & of living & working conditions.

23.  It was initially proposed by U.S.A President Wilson but the American Congress would not ratify American involvement so the world’s most powerful country did not join  The League’s power rested in the strength of its members which often pursued their own interests or were more concerned with their own problems

24.  1919-1939 was a very turbulent time in world affairs.  In addition to the Great Depression, new totalitarian governments appeared throughout the world during the 1920s  In 1929 the Great Depression began & lasted throughout the 1930s  Rise of Nationalism (Complete ‘Rise of Dictators’ worksheet) Rise of Nationalism

25.  1919-1939 was a very turbulent time in world affairs.  In addition to the Great Depression, new totalitarian governments appeared throughout the world during the 1920s  In 1929 the Great Depression began & lasted throughout the 1930s  Rise of Nationalism (Complete ‘Rise of Dictators’ worksheet) Rise of Nationalism

26.  Fascism: a system of government in which a nationalism is promoted, labor and industry are regulated by a strong national government, and all opposition is suppressed.

27.  Founded in the Italian Government of Benito Mussolini in 1922  Strong central government, led by a dictator  Based on the ideals of nationalism, militarism, and persecution.

28.  Extreme Nationalism: Devotion to one’s country even at the expense of everyone else  Devotion to a dictator (one who rules a country alone) All opposition is suppressed and the media is censored  Militarism: Focus on having a strong army and using war to settle disputes  Persecution of minorities and communists - Blaming the country’s problems on scapegoats

29.  Fascism in Germany (Nazism) took two unique forms one directed at lebensraum ( the quest for living space for all Germans) or in anti-Semitism (the hatred of Jews)