World War II THE ROAD TO WAR CAUSES

World War II THE ROAD TO WAR – CAUSES AND BEGINNINGS

Causes of World War II Sorry…I don’t have a cool way to remember it Treaty of Versailles Caused problems for German economy Nationalism Germany Need and Japan wanted to unite their peoples for resources Empire building Appeasement: Germany kept wanting more… Great Depression – led to rise of dictators (Fascism + Totalitarianism)

Italians Invade Ethiopia (Again) Angry Earlier Italy from all their troubles after WWI invasion failed in 1896 returns in October 1935 Conquers Ethiopia in 1936 Deaths: 2000 Italians vs. 275, 000 Ethiopians Ethiopian Also technology overmatched they took over Albania and then Libya

Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) Nationalist rebels vs. Republican Army Nationalists backed by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy Led by Francisco Franco WWII Rehearsal Seen as a way for Germany to try out its war tactics

“Guernica” by Pablo Picasso

Japan started it all… Japan conquers Manchuria (1931 -1932) Need for resources Invades China (1937) The Rape of Nanjing Use Chinese for bayonet practice Rape/murder Burn woman of homes Chinese risk of civil war Nationalist vs. Communist

What are the teams this time around? Axis: Allies: Great Britain Germany France Italy USA Japan Soviet Union

Overview “Official” start date: Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland Germany and Soviet Union sign a “Non. Aggression” pact Germany later violates this by invading USSR Soviet Union moves to the Allies Japan attacks Pearl Harbor USA enters WWII against the Axis