01. causes of ww2

causes of ww2

1. treaty of versailles

2. great depression

3. germany economy

treaty of versailles

• signed: June 28th, 1919

  • goal: to officially end ww1 between Germany and the allied powers

    • driven by need to punish Germany

    • prevent future global conflicts

blame / war guilt clause

• signing meant that Germany is legally and fully responsible for all the damage caused by the war

• goal: to humiliate Germany so that no nation would attempt to start a war of aggression in the future

consequences of treaty of versailles

• Germany to pay 132 billion gold marks as compensation for other countries

• lost 13% of its land and 10% of its population

• restrict alliances with other countries such as Austria

• all overseas colonies were taken away

• Germany's economy to be destroyed

  • lack of jobs, etc.

• humiliation towards Germany, hurt pride

• widespread resentment towards Germany

the great depression

• date: August 1929 and lasted until mid 1930s

  • collapse in construction, agriculture, manufacturing industries

• prompted cruel dictators such as Hitler to gain power

  • people left without jobs

  • Hitler promised to make Germany great again

the German economy

• Germans blamed government for agreeing to the treaty’s terms