The Causes of WW2

Communism

• A political system where the government controls the nations’ wealth and where private ownership is very limited.

The Treaty of Versailles

• The peace treaty that ended WW1 and forced Germany to accept the blame for starting the war.

Reparations

• Money which has to be paid as compensation for doing something wrong.

Hyperinflation

• A condition in which prices increase rapidly as a currency loses its value.

• During the 1920s prices rose at a very fast rate and the Germans’ standard of living fell. Money became worthless.

• An item that cost 70 German marks in 1921 required 4200 million marks to buy in 1923. Peoples savings were quickly used up buying basic items of food.

Hyperinflation continued:• Source:

As soon as I received my salary I rushed out to buy the daily necessities. My daily salary, as editor of the periodical Soziale Praxis, was just enough to buy one loaf of bread and a small piece of cheese and some oatmeal…An acquaintance of mine, a clergyman, came to Berlin from a suburb with his monthly salary to buy a pair of shoes for his baby; (by the time he arrived atthe shop) he could buy only a cup of coffee.

Dr Frieda Wunderlich, quoted in Bry, Wages in Germany 1871-1945, Princeton, 1960.

Hyperinflation continued:

Source Questions:1. Identify the effects of hyperinflation that are

described in this source.2. If you were living in Berlin during this time,

would it be better to be paid daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly? Explain your answer.

3. Suggest ways in which people living in Germany in 1923 might have been able to obtain basic everyday food items.

Adolf Hitler • In the early 1920s Adolf Hitler made his first attempt to gain power in Germany, when he was unsuccessful he turned to fascist methods to encourage people to support him. In 1933 Hitler became Germany’s leader and the Nazi party took control over Germany.

Hitler became popular in Germany because he:

• Said he would create more jobs and make people better off financially

• Said he would restore Germanys greatness• Promised to reunite all German speaking

people into one country• Blamed the Jews and communists for all

Germany’s problems• Was a skilful public speaker• Organized large rallies to promote his ideas• Used violence against those who opposed

him

Fascism A political ideology which

dictates that individuals should serve the state, which should be governed by a strong leader who embodies the national will.

Characteristics of Fascism:• Control by one man who was

supported by most people• The use of force to overcome

any opposition• A belief in the superiority of

ones own nation• Opposition to communism• A desire to expand territory• http://www.youtube.com/watch

?v=rp34b2_8qMk&NR=1

The Spanish Civil war

In 1936, General Franco, a Spanish fascist, led a military revolt against Spain’s republican government. In this civil war, over half a million people died. Both Hitler and Mussolini supplied Franco with troops, bombers and transport aircraft. In all 50,000 Italian, and 10,000 German troops went to Spain. Hitler used the war to train his men, and the Luftwaffe (German airforce) pilots perfected their dive-bombing technique.

Appeasement

The name given to the policy that Britain and France pursued towards Germany from the mid 1930s until 1939; their intention was to give in to some of Hitler’s demands in the hopes of avoiding war.

The Declaration of WAR!3rd September 1939

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtrOJnpmz6s

http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/wardeclared/index.html

Comprehension Questions: The Causes of WW2

1. What was the name of the treaty Germany was forced to sign at the end of WW1?

2. Why did Germany have to pay reparations?

3. Identify the European countries that had fascist governments in 1939.

4. Outline how Hitler became Germany’s leader in 1933.

5. Identify reasons that the Spanish civil war was important for the Fascists.

6. Explain why Britain and France followed a policy of appeasement towards Germany during the 1930s.

7. Which two countries did Germany take over during the appeasement?

8. Why did Britain and France declare war on Germany on 3rd September 1939?

9. Identify reasons for Australia’s involvement in the war.