Causes of World War 2

The Treaty ended WW1 between
Germany and Allied partners

Treaty was harsh against Germany

Germany was forced to accept the
responsibility of the war damages
suffered by the Allies

Germany had to pay reparations

The Treaty left Germany's economy
in ruins

People starved

The Government was in chaos

Period before WWII Japan
grew rapidly

An Island nation

Did not have land or
natural resources to
sustain their growth

Began to look to grow their
empire in order to gain
new resources

Invaded Manchuria in 1993
and China in 1937

WW1 left economical
turmoil behind

Dictators formed powerful
fascist governments

Italy was first fascist
government ruled by
the dictator Mussolini

Italy invaded and took
over Ethiopia in 1935

Adolf Hitler to later emulate
Mussolini in his take over
of Germany

Other fascist government
was Spain ruled by the
dictator Franco

Adolf Hitler and Nazi Party
rose to power

Germans were desperate for
someone to turn around economy

Hitler was proclaimed the "Fuhrer"
(leader) and became the dictator
of Germany

Hitler resented restrictions like the
Treaty

Expanded his empire

Took over Austria in 1938

Took over Czechoslovakia in 1939

Most of Europe did not
want another war after WW1

Italy and Germany
became aggressive

Britain and France hoped
to keep peace through
"appeasement"

Tried to make Hitler happy
rather than stopping him

They hoped there would not be
a war by meeting his demands

Appeasement backfired and
Hitler became bolder

Great economic suffering
throughout the world during
period before WW2

Economic suffering was
called the Great Depression

Many people were out of
work and struggled

Unstable governments were
created as well as worldwide
turmoil

Thus WW2