Unit 7.6 - Causes of World War II

Causes of World War II

Historical Context and Key Ideas

• Quote by Mussolini: "It is blood which moves the wheels of history" (1914) reflects the intense nationalism that preceded WWII.
• Essential Question: What were the causes and consequences of World War II?
  • Causes rooted in unresolved issues from WWI, including economic instability and civil unrest particularly in Italy and Germany.

Economic and Political Conditions

• Post-WWI Europe: Economic instability led to civil unrest.
  • In Italy, rise of fascism linked to poor economic conditions and Benito Mussolini's promises to rejuvenate the economy and create an Italian empire.
  • Terms from the Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties and territorial losses on Germany, creating resentment and economic hardship.

The Rise of Fascism and Nazism

• Benito Mussolini (Il Duce): Leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy.
• Adolf Hitler: Emerged from economic despair in Germany. Promoted Aryan supremacy, anti-Semitism, and expansionist ideologies.
• Weimar Republic's Weakness: Post-WWI democratic government seen as incapable, leading Germans to support extremist parties like the Nazis.
  • Great Depression worsened unemployment and discontent.

Hitler's Ascendance

• Mein Kampf: Hitler’s manifesto outlining his views and anti-Semitic ideology, written during imprisonment.
• Nazi Rise to Power:
  • Legal ascent through elections; Hitler appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg in 1933.
  • Hindenburg's death allowed Hitler to consolidate power, merging the presidency with the chancellorship.
• Use of Terror and Propaganda:
  • Staged events (e.g., Reichstag fire) to justify the outlawing of political opposition.
  • Promotion of an ultra-nationalist narrative; Nuremberg Laws (1935) introduced institutional discrimination against Jews.

Expansionist Policies and Alliances

• Lebensraum: Hitler's policy aimed at acquiring living space for a German empire, leading to military alliances.
• Axis Powers Formation:
  • Rome-Berlin Axis with Italy, followed by the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan.
  • Shared ideologies and military interests motivated these alliances.

Key Events Leading to War

• Kristallnacht (1938): Organized anti-Jewish riots marking an escalation in Nazi violence against Jews.
• Militarization and Treaty Violations:
  • Germany re-established military forces in violation of the Treaty of Versailles (e.g., reoccupation of the Rhineland).
• Anschluss (1938): Annexation of Austria, pursued through threats and hollow resistance.
• Sudetenland and Munich Agreement:
  • Hitler demanded territory from Czechoslovakia; the Munich Agreement allowed annexation, revealing the failure of appeasement.
  • Hitler subsequently invaded all of Czechoslovakia in early 1939.

Invasion of Poland and War Outbreak

• Danzig Conflict: Hitler sought to reclaim the port of Danzig, leading to Britain and France's commitment to protect Poland.
• German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact: Secretly agreed to partition Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union.
• Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939): Marked the official start of WWII, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

Summary of Causes

• Diplomatic Failures:

  • Imbalance created by the Treaty of Versailles and failure of the League of Nations to prevent aggression.
  • Appeasement policies that emboldened Germany, ultimately failed to prevent conflict.

• Economic Strains: Global depression affected economies leading to extremist political solutions.

• Nationalism and Militarism: Germany and Japan pursued aggressive nationalist policies, setting the stage for global conflict.

Key Terms

• Important Figures: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Neville Chamberlain.
• Important Laws and Agreements: Nuremberg Laws, Munich Agreement, Nonaggression Pact, Rome-Berlin Axis.
• Terminology: Lebensraum, Anschluss, scientific racism, anti-Semitism, Aryan supremacy, Axis Powers.