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4 years, 8 months ago
FCPS World II SOL Standards: WHII 12a
FCPS HS Social Studies © 2014
World War II: Causes (1919–1939)
You Mean World War I Was Not “The War to End All Wars”?
Causes of World War II
The death and destruction of World War I was so
horrible that it was called “the war to end all wars.”
Yet, the agreement to end World War I did not resolve
the problems of the world and, according to some
historians, lead directly to the next catastrophe:
World War II. The major causes of World War II were
numerous. They include the impact of the Treaty of
Versailles following WWI, the worldwide economic
depression, failure of appeasement, the rise of
militarism in Germany and Japan, and the failure
of the League of Nations.
Treaty of Versailles
Following World War I, the victorious Allied Powers
met to decide Germany’s future. Germany would be
forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Germany had
Map of Germany’s advancement
Source: http://mrshealyhistoryclass.wikispaces.com/file/view/WWWIIMapEurope%231.JPG/316812366/530x381/
WWWIIMapEurope%231.JPG
Failure of Appeasement
Appeasement meant agreeing to the demands of another nation in order to avoid conflict.
During the 1930s, politicians in Britain and France began to believe that the Treaty of Versailles
was unfair to Germany and that Hitler’s actions were understandable and justifiable. This belief,
adopted by Britain, was the Policy of Appeasement. An example of appeasement was the
Munich Agreement of September 1938. In the Agreement, Britain and France allowed
Germany to annex areas in Czechoslovakia where German-speakers lived. Germany
agreed not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia or any other country. In March 1939,
Germany broke its promise and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. Neither Britain nor
France was prepared to take military action. Then, on September 1, 1939, German troops
invaded Poland. Britain and France immediately declared war on Germany. World War II
had begun in Europe.
British Prime Minister Chamberlain
holding up the Munich Peace Agreement
Source: http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW2/
causes.htm agreement with Hitler in 1938
Economic Depression
The whole world was hit by an economic depression in the late 1920s. In a depression, economies shrink, trade is re-
duced, businesses close, prices fall, banks fail, and unemployment rises. Sometimes during a depression, people look
for a strong political leader to resolve their problems. In 1933, Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany by promising to
restore German wealth and power.
Germany’s Militarism
Hitler immediately began secretly building up Germany’s army and weapons. Although Britain and France knew of Hitler’s
actions, they thought a stronger Germany would stop the spread of Communism from Russia. In 1936 Hitler ordered
German troops to enter the German-speaking areas of the Rhineland (France), Austria, and Czechoslovakia. At this point
neither France nor Britain was prepared to go to war. In 1936, Hitler made alliances with Italy and Japan. The military
alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan was called the Axis Powers.
to accept guilt for the war and to pay reparations. Germany lost territory and was prohibited from having a large military.
Grivanshi Rajput 4 years, 7 months ago
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