UNIT 3 WORLD WAR II
UNIT 3 WORLD WAR IICauses of World War II in Europe Treaty of VersaillesGermans resented the treaty as it was imposed (diktat) on them not negotiated and Germany was forced to sign or face invasionGermans thought the terms were harsh and unfair > Article 231 (War Guilt clause) blamed Germany for starting the warit contributed to Hitler’s rise to powerHitler violated the treaty (cancelled reparations, rearmed, occupied Rhineland) but the League of Nations did not stop him by enforcing the termsLeague of Nationspurpose of the League was to prevent war through collective security (all members support a member attacked) but it was weak and ineffective for several reasons:the U.S. was not a membercouncil members had the power of veto (cancel vote)Britain and France were the most powerful members of the League but were unwilling to enforce economic sanctions (economic restrictions) against aggressorsthe invasion of Manchuria and Ethiopia are examples that demonstrate the League’s weakness to deal with aggressors1931 Japan invaded Manchuria (China) and League did not impose sanctions1935 Italy invaded Ethiopia and although League imposed sanctions but many important resources were excluded such as oil making sanctions ineffective Great Depressionthe Depression was a contributing factor to Hitler’s rise to powerthe Depression prompted Japan to pursue territorial expansion by conquest to solve its economic problems caused by the Depression1936-1939 Spanish Civil Warthe civil war pitted the left-wing Republican government (coalition of Socialist, Communists, workers) against the right-wing Nationalist forces (General Francisco Franco, army, landowners, fascists, Church)Hitler and Mussolini supported the right-wing Nationalists (army) while Stalin supported Republicans (government)Hitler used the civil war to test his new air force, the Luftwaffe, and bombing strategy (bombing of cities and civilians) Britain and France did not get involved in the war (non-intervention policy)Hitler learned Britain and France were unwilling to use force to stop aggressorshistorians refer to the civil war as a dress rehearsal for World War IIHitler’s Policies and AggressionHitler wanted to expand German territory into Eastern Europe as part of his concept of lebensraum (living space) as indicated in his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle)Hitler wanted to overturn the terms of the Treaty of Versailles March 1936 Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland (map #1)March 1938 Hitler annexed Austria (Anschluss or union) (map #2)October 1938 Hitler annexed Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) (map #3)March 1939 Hitler occupied Czechoslovakia (map #4)September 1939 Hitler invaded Poland (World War II begins) (map #5,6)Appeasementappeasement was the policy adopted by British PM Chamberlain and supported by France in dealing with Hitler’s aggressionappeasement means to grant concessions in order to maintain peace and avoid warthe idea was that Hitler had certain reasonable demands and that if these demands were granted then he would be satisfied and a war would be avoidedthe annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia by Germany October 1938 is an example of appeasement Hitler’s Aggression and Expansion in Europe 1936-1939 ................
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