Causes of WWII Rise of Totalitarian Regimes n

Causes of WWII

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes n n 3 major powers were unhappy with the outcome of WWI Germany resented loss of territory & reparations payments • Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933

n Italy: wanted territory • Mussolini comes to power in 1922 • Fascism n Japan: wanted control of China • Military becomes powerful in government

Failure of Peace Efforts n League of Nations • Had limited powers • Failed to respond to aggressive actions (e. g. Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935)

n Washington Conference (1921 -22): countries limited the size of their navies • 1934: Japan pulled out of treaty • US was not prepared militarily

Formation of Axis Coalition n n Treaties between Germany, Italy, & Japan (1936 -1940) Became the Rome. Berlin-Tokyo Axis

Germany Begins to Act Aggressively in Europe n n 1934: Germany begins to rearm March 1938: Hitler takes over Austria

n n Sept 1938: Hitler threatens war to get the Sudetenland Munich Pact: Germany got 1/3 of Czechoslovakia if Hitler promised not to take any more land

n n March 1939: Hitler invades Czechoslovakia; England & France promise to help Poland Aug 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact

n n n Sept 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland Sept 3, 1939: England & France declare war on Germany April 1940: Hitler conquered Denmark & Norway

n n n May 1940: Hitler invades Belgium & the Netherlands; then France June 1940: France surrenders August 1940: Battle of Britain begins