1. Essential Question What were the causes of WWII? What were the causes of WWII?

2. The Causes of World War II

3. Italy Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party Took power in 1922 as Il Duce Took power in 1922 as Il Duce

4. Joseph Stalin Took control after Lenin died Took control after Lenin died Murdered 8 to 10 million peasants who did not support Communist policies Murdered 8 to 10 million peasants who did not support Communist policies

5. Germany Angry with the loss of World War I and the Versailles Treaty Angry with the loss of World War I and the Versailles Treaty Country in political and economic chaos Country in political and economic chaos

6. Adolf Hitler Wrote Mein Kampf while in prison Wrote Mein Kampf while in prison

7. Hitler’s Ideas Germans belonged to the master race of Aryans Germans belonged to the master race of Aryans Germans needed more living space (land) Germans needed more living space (land) Slavic peoples were inferior and should be enslaved by the Germans Slavic peoples were inferior and should be enslaved by the Germans Jewish people were responsible for the world’s problems Jewish people were responsible for the world’s problems

8. Hitler as Leader Reichstag voted to give Hitler powers of a dictator Reichstag voted to give Hitler powers of a dictator Took the title of Fuhrer or Leader Took the title of Fuhrer or Leader

10. Japan Difficult economic times Difficult economic times Military took control of the government Military took control of the government Invaded Manchuria (northern China) for its resources Invaded Manchuria (northern China) for its resources

11. World War II Begins

12. Rising German Strength Rebuilt army, navy, air force Rebuilt army, navy, air force Took military positions in the Rhineland (former demilitarized zone) Took military positions in the Rhineland (former demilitarized zone)

13. Response of Europe Gave in to Hitler’s demands in order to keep peace Gave in to Hitler’s demands in order to keep peace Hoped to avoid another war Hoped to avoid another war

14. The Austrian Anschluss March 1938 – Hitler sent troops into Austria March 1938 – Hitler sent troops into Austria Announced the unification (anschluss) of Germany and Austria Announced the unification (anschluss) of Germany and Austria

16. Czechoslovakia Germany claimed the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia that had a large German-speaking population) Germany claimed the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia that had a large German-speaking population) Czechs resisted Czechs resisted

17. Munich Conference Representatives of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany met to decide Czechoslovakia’s fate Representatives of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany met to decide Czechoslovakia’s fate Sept. 29, 1938 Sept. 29, 1938

18. Munich Conference Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demands Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demands Policy of appeasement = giving concessions in exchange for peace Policy of appeasement = giving concessions in exchange for peace

19. Czechoslovakia March 1939 March 1939 Germany sent troops into Czechoslovakia and broke up the country Germany sent troops into Czechoslovakia and broke up the country

20. Danzig, Poland Oct. 1938 – Hitler demanded the return of the city of Danzig (part of Poland) to Germany Oct. 1938 – Hitler demanded the return of the city of Danzig (part of Poland) to Germany Important Baltic Sea port Important Baltic Sea port

21. Response of Europe Realized appeasement had failed Realized appeasement had failed If Poland went to war to defend its territory, Britain and France would come to its aid If Poland went to war to defend its territory, Britain and France would come to its aid

22. Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact August 23, 1939 August 23, 1939 Treaty between Germany and the USSR Treaty between Germany and the USSR Secret deal to divide Poland between the two Secret deal to divide Poland between the two

23. Beginning of World War II Sept. 1, 1939 Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland from the west Germany invaded Poland from the west Soon after, the USSR invaded Poland from the east Soon after, the USSR invaded Poland from the east

24. Beginning of World War II Sept. 3, 1939 Sept. 3, 1939 France and Britain declared war on Germany France and Britain declared war on Germany

25. U.S. Response Population supported isolationism = belief that the U.S. should avoid international commitments that could drag them into war Population supported isolationism = belief that the U.S. should avoid international commitments that could drag them into war

26. Neutrality Act of 1935 Made it illegal for Americans to sell arms to any country at war Made it illegal for Americans to sell arms to any country at war

27. America First Committee Group of Americans who opposed any intervention or aid for the Allies Group of Americans who opposed any intervention or aid for the Allies Isolationist Isolationist

28. Roosevelt’s Perspective Favored internationalism = trade between nations creates prosperity and helps to prevent war Favored internationalism = trade between nations creates prosperity and helps to prevent war

29. Election of 1940 Roosevelt ran for a third term (first president to do so) Roosevelt ran for a third term (first president to do so) Voters preferred staying with FDR in time of war Voters preferred staying with FDR in time of war