Causes of World War II

Causes of World War II

• World War II was largely influenced by unresolved issues from World War I.
• Key Causes of WWII:
  • Impact of the Treaty of Versailles
  • Worldwide Economic Depression
  • Failure of Appeasement
  • Rise of Militarism in Germany and Japan
  • Failure of the League of Nations

1. The Treaty of Versailles

• Germany's refusal to sign the peace agreement and subsequent threats of invasion by Allies led to severe terms imposed on Germany:
  • Loss of all colonies and territories (e.g., eastern territories became Poland).
  • Return of French provinces.
  • Prohibition of military forces and weapons.
  • Reparations amounting to $35 billion Canadian.
  • Economic turmoil and starvation plagued Germany, fostering resentment.

2. Economic Depression

• The late 1920s brought a global economic depression:
  • Economic shrinkage, reduced trade, business closures, falling prices, bank failures, and rising unemployment.
  • Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933 by promising to restore national wealth and strength.

3. The Rise of the Nazis and German Militarism

• Hitler secretly began to rebuild Germany's military strength:
  • Actions ignored by Britain and France, who mistakenly believed this would contain Communism.
  • In 1936, Germany violated treaties by reoccupying the Rhineland, annexing Austria, and invading Czechoslovakia.
  • Formed the Axis Powers with Italy and Japan.

4. Failure of Appeasement

• Aimed to prevent conflict by yielding to dictators' demands:
  • Western leaders underestimated Hitler's intentions, believing he aimed to destroy Communism.
  • British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain considered Hitler sincere.
  • Notable incidents include:
  • Anschluss: German troops' entry into Austria in 1938, despite Hitler's promises to respect its sovereignty.
  • Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland: Chamberlain's agreement allowed for German occupation to appease Hitler, who subsequently took over all of Czechoslovakia by March 1939.
• Hitler's ambition extended to Poland, causing increasing tensions after the fall of Czechoslovakia.

5. Failure of the League of Nations

• Established in 1919 to maintain peace:
  • Canada joined, promising to deter aggression through trade boycotts.
  • Lack of U.S. membership weakened its influence.
  • Inability to respond to conflicts like Italy's invasion of Ethiopia and Japan's actions in Manchuria highlighted its flaws.

6. Japanese Militarism

• The economic depression in Japan led to the public's loss of faith in the government:
  • The army gained popularity as a solution to economic woes.
  • Japan's need for resources led to invasions in China.
  • The League of Nations was ignored as Japan continued its aggression in Asia (Vietnam, Korea).
• Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 marked the expansion of WWII into Asia.