CAUSES OF WWII

THINKING AHEAD

What were the causes of WWII? How did Canada become involved in WWII? How did Canada’s foreign policies in the

1930s contribute to the start of WWII?

1930s

During the Great Depression, many Canadians were struggling to merely get by

Little concern for what was happening elsewhere around the world but ...

... Political leaders making decisions that would soon have a great impact

on the entire world ...

Treaty of Versailles

4 clauses: War reparations Military reparations Geographical terms War guilt clause

T of V was a HUGE shock to Germany USA president Wilson wanted a treaty that did

not seek revenge so that war could be avoided - ignored!

League of Nations

Created after WWI to ensure that war did not break out again

USA did not join the League – weakened the L of N’s reputation & America returned to policy of isolationism

1st test of the L of N – Japan invades Manchuria in 1931

Rise of Fascism

Defn – extreme conservative type of govt led by a dictator

Italy – Benito Mussolini (“Il Duce”)

Rise of the Nazis

Leader – Adolf Hitler (“Fuhrer”) Used many fascist techniques to gain loyalty Attacked anything opposed to their policies: T

of V, communism, democracy, L of N

Nazi party elected in 1933 – offered solutions to those suffering from the GD

Appeasement

Defn. - Policy of giving in to the demands of a dictator to avoid war

British PM Chamberlain supported appeasement, as did PM Mackenzie King (said Hitler was a “simple sort of peasant, not very intelligent and no serious danger to anyone”)

Churchill opposed appeasement