Mint Causes:
M
Militarism
Germany Italy and Japan all
upset with the results of
WWI began to rearm their
nations. Germany violates
the treaty of Versailles by
rebuilding an army, air
force, navy, withdraws from
League of Nations, France
and Britain ignore it
I
Imperialism
Italy, Japan, and Germany
begin to expand. Italy
invades Ethiopia; Japan
invades China and South
East Asia; Germany invades
Sudetenland, Rhineland and
Czech
N
Nationalism
Restore pride in the country
T
Totalitarian gov’ts
Fascist gov’t in which gov’t
controls all aspects of the
lives of the people, use
terror to enforce policies.
No free press, no freedom
of religion, education
controlled by the state
Prelude to war
 Treaty of Versailles: war guilt clause, loss of land, war reparations (plunged Germany into GD) led to discontent
among Germans and led to rise of Hitler. Hitler restored German pride by ignoring the treaty
Rise of Fascist Dictators
 Mussolini’s fascist party stirs nationalism with plans to return to days of rome, hitler’s nazi party calls for
breathing room for master races and scapegoats jews as the reason for germany’s problems
 Stalin’s communist party established total control with purges by the secret police
Failure of the League of Nations (LoN)
 Powerful US turned away from own creation to focus on itself
 Britain and France followed policy of appeasement in order to avoid war with Germany
Appeasement at the Munich Conference Giving in to enemy’s demands to keep peace. Germany took Sudetenland,
Austria, Rhineland, rearmed yet Britain and France did not pursue war.
Important Terms to Know!
Fascism:
Dictator:
Appeasement:
Cash and Carry principle:
Quarantine speech:
Nonaggression pact:
Lend-lease act
Spark that began WWII: Hitler’s invasion of Poland Sept 1, 1939
What policy did Britain and France follow at the Munich conference? How did Hitler respond to their policy?
Describe the causes that led to a change in US policy from isolation in 1939 to involvement in 1940 and 1941.