The Start of WWII

Mind Map: Causes of the Second World War

Central Idea: Twenty-one years after the armistice that ended the First World War, Europe was at war again.

The Second World War Started when Hitler Invaded Poland

  • Hitler invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.

  • Britain declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939.

Long-term Factors Led to the War

  • The Great Depression

    • The Wall Street Crash in 1929 caused a global economic crisis.

    • Germany was hit hard, leading to further resentment.

League's Failure Contributed to the Outbreak of War

  • Countries prioritized their own economic recoveries, making the League less effective.

  • Lack of a united front against aggression made it easier for Hitler to act.

Leaders' Role in the Outbreak of War

  • Hitler's Responsibility

    • Wanted to take new land for Germany and had an aggressive foreign policy.

    • Rearmed Germany to be a military power, indicating intentions for war.

  • Chamberlain's Appeasement Policy

    • Trust in Hitler's promises proved unwise, encouraging Hitler's aggression.

    • Delayed war but gave Britain time to prepare.

  • Stalin's Role

    • The Nazi-Soviet Pact allowed Hitler to invade Poland without Soviet intervention.

    • Britain and France's exclusion of Stalin from negotiations pushed him into the pact.

Long-term Factor: Treaty of Versailles, 1919

  • Germans, especially Hitler, harbored resentment towards the treaty.

  • New countries created were unstable and vulnerable to German attacks, fueling Hitler's ambitions.