The Main Causes Of World War II

World War 2 was the largest war in human history. This war involved countries, colonies, and territories around the world. It lasted from 1939 to 1945. By the end of the war, over 70 million were dead. The first cause of the war was World War 1 and the Treaty of Versailles. The second cause was Appeasement. The last cause was rise of Totalitarianism. First, in World War 1 and the Treaty of Versailles, Germany lost land to surrounding nations. In the war reparations, the allies collected money to pay back war debts to the US and payed the US $57 trillion. The Germans were left bankrupt, angry, and guilt ridden. The desperate people turned to desperate leaders. Second, appeasement was a cause of war because Hitler demanded land that …show more content…
It glorifies violence and believes it is needed to prove strength of people. Fascism uses nationalism and racism. Italy and Germany became fascist countries. Hitler, Germany’s leader wanted militarism, Rhineland, and Lebensraum. Soon after becoming chancellor, Hitler began rearming Germany breaking the Treaty of Versailles. Also breaking the Treaty of Versailles by moving troops into the Rhineland territory. He wanted lebensraum or “living space” too. Austria annexed peacefully in 1938 and Sudetenland, a territory in Czechoslovakia was given to Germany by Britain and France. Hitler then invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia and went on to …show more content…
On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to sink US ships there. In two hours most of the US navy was destroyed and 2,000 sailors were killed. Japan then surrendered after the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Lastly, World War 2 ended in Europe due to a couple of things. Fifth, World War 2 ended in Europe from operation overlord when the Allies invaded France, also called D-Day. Within a month, 1 million Allied troops were stationed in Europe. Germany was surrounded by the USSR to the east. Germany surrendered in 1945 after Hitler committed suicide. The Allies divided Germany up between them, which then helps start the Cold War. Trials were held in Germany and Japan to try the people responsible for the war and many were executed and jailed for war crimes. Sixth, another part of World War 2 was the Holocaust. The Holocaust was the Nazi plan to to kill all Jews. During this time, 6 million Jews were murdered in camps in Europe. Also 5 million others were killed too including, gypsies, the mentally ill, and homosexuals. A total of 11 million were exterminated. This was a terrible genocide or purposely trying to exterminate an entire group of

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