World War Two
Causes
*** remember with the acronym: FART
How did the Treaty of Versailles
become a cause of World War
Two?
“C’mon guys…. you already know
this.!”
The “T”: Treaty
of Versailles
Review:
Geographical Terms
Reparations
 Germany lost all of its colonies
 132 billion marks paid to the Triple
 Germany lost part of Eastern Germany to
Entente
Poland
 Saar region loaned to France (15 years)
 Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine (to France)
Military Terms
 Germany’s army reduced to 100,000
 Not allowed tanks
 No air force
 Small ships only
War Guilt Clause
 Sign a clause that stated they were the
primary cause of WW1
All of this economically crippled and
humiliated Germany
The “T”: Treaty of
Versailles
How did this help cause WW2?
• The “Treaty of Versailles”: caused severe economic
issues for Germany (made vulnerable to the rise of
dictators)
• Was a rallying point for the people of Germany
• One of Hitler’s main campaign promises was to rip up the
Treaty, this was very popular
The “T”: Treaty of
Versailles
The “T”: Treaty of
Versailles
Conditions in Europe which led to the Rise of
Dictators:
1. Both winners and losers of WW1 felt cheated
2. There were problems with the new borders of Europe
3. Problems with governments of Europe (monarchies
and democracies)
4. The Great Depression
5. Problems blames on foreigners, communists and Jews
The “R”: Rise in Dictators
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kW_L_Nbm38
The “R”: Rise in Dictators
Benito Mussolini: Italy
The “R”: Rise of Dictators
Benito Mussolini
http://video.answers.com/the-rise-of-benito-mussolini516911377
Formed the Fascist Party to fight communism and
socialism
“Black Shirts” followers broke up trade union
meetings and communist rallies with campaign of
terror
The “R”: Rise of Dictators
Benito Mussolini
1922- there was a treat of a General Strike. Fascists
said they would stop it and they marched on Rome
the King asked Mussolini to form new government
Mussolini made Italy self-sufficient
He “made the trains run on time”
Mussolini became a dictator, the “Black Shirts”
silenced criticism, there was no opposition, only
Fascists could run for elections
The “R”: Rise of Dictators
Adolf Hitler: Germany
The “R”: Rise of Dictators
Adolf Hitler: Germany
Was a corporal in WW1
Joined the Nazi party in its infancy
Gave party: military organization, its own salute
and uniforms and a symbol (the swastika)
By 1933, Nazis were the largest party in German
parliament
Hitler was appointed “Chancellor”, then
Parliament voted Hitler complete control of the
government and he became “der Fuhrer”
The “R”: Rise of Dictators
Life in Nazi Germany
•
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•
•
•
•
•
“Total revolution of German life”
All political parties were banned
Enabling Act: can pass laws without parliament
“Night of the Long Knives”
Gestapo and SS
Kristallnacht
Nuremburg Laws (process of de-humanization)
The “R”: Rise in Dictators
Nuremburg Laws
Nuremburg Laws
Life in Nazi Germany
• Sales of Hitler's political autobiography "Mein
Kampf," sometimes referred to as the bible of the
Nazi Party, made him a millionaire. From 1933
to 1945, free copies were given to every
newlywed German couple. After World War II,
the publication of "Mein Kampf" in Germany
became illegal.
The “R”: Rise in Dictators
Life in Nazi Germany: Propaganda
Hitler Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGhdX1SI3KY
&bpctr=1363880802
Other Dictatorships
In Spain: Francisco Franco
In Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin
In Japan: Emperor Hirohito
** people turned to dictatorships because they
offered simple solutions, promised national glory
and silenced opposition
The “R”: Rise in Dictators
Failure #1: Manchuria: Sept 1931
• Japan invades Chinese
province of Manchuria
• League???
The “F”: Failure of the
League of Nations
Failure #2: Abyssinia: May 1936
• Italy invaded through neighbouring Italian
Somaliland
• Annexed to Italy
• Haile Salassie (former emperor) addressed
the assembly of the League
• “It is international morality that is at
stake…. God and history will remember
your judgment”.
The “F”: Failure of the League of
Nations
Failure #3: Hitler leaves the League
The “F”: Failure of the League of
Nations
Date
Expansion Demands
Rationale (Reason)
World Reaction
1936
The Rhineland
Challenge Versailles settlement
France and Britain protested the
League of Nations
- did nothing
1938
Austria
Felt it was German territory
- no reaction
- did nothing
1938
The Sudetenland (part
of Czech)
- demanded
- Munich Agreement
- Czech not invited
- League agreed, could not fight
Germany alone
- permitted
- annexation
Mar,1939
Czechoslovakia
- danger to Germany
- occupied the rest of the country
- Churchill predicted
- Chamberlain betrayal
- will take a harder line
1939
Demanded some of
Poland
- Gateway
- space
- high Jewish population
- will declare war on Germany
Aug, 1939
Poland
SEPTEMBER 3rd Britain declared war
The “A”: Appeasement
The “A”: Appeasement
Lil’ Hitler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcrRrst1i0g
The “A”: Appeasement
Europe 1941
The “A”: Appeasement
“Lightning War”
• Speed and surprise
• Prevent enemy from defense
1) Planes (luftwaffe): rapid bombardment
2) Tanks (panzers): speed
3) Ground Troops (wehrmacht): mobile
Eg) Sitzkreig “Phony War”
Sept,1939:
Poland
Apr, 1940:
Denmark
Norway
May, 1940:
Holland
Belgium
1940:
France (north)
Blitzkrieg: “Lightning War”