-
Period: to
Causes and Events Leading to WWII by Walter Lam
By Walter Lam -
An Armistice
Or a truce, that was signed in France at 5:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918. German agreed to creasefire and the war ended at 11:00 a.m. -
Paris Peace Conference
The conference was held in France, the leaders of the Allies and other countries against Germany met to create the terms of a peace treaty. Over six months, many treaties were created. One treaty that made it out of the conference was the Treaty of Versailles. This document laid peace between Germany and the Allies. The United States President Wilson introduced a 14 - point plan for forever lasting peace and international cooperation. However some Allied leaders wanted to blame Germany. -
War Guilt Clause
a part of the term in the Treaty of Versaillies making Germany responsible for causing the start of World War I. -
The Treaty of Versailles **
The terms of this document were:
-Germany had to agree to War Guilt Clause
-Parts of Germany's territory would be taken away
-Germany had to pay for the damages of the war, total $30 billion
-German army can't exceed 100,000 men, they had to surrender its navy and restricted from having an air force
-Austria and Germany can't become one -
Hitler Joins Nazi Party
When Adolf Hitler first join the party, it was known as National Socialist German Party, but later changed to Nazis. Later in 1921, Hitler because leader of the party. -
Wall Street Crash **
During the depression, New York Stock Market crashed. Causing economic problems for Germany. The Germans wanted a leader that can solved the depression. This was an opportunity for Hitler to become the leader. -
Invasion of Manchuria
Japan invades one of China's province, Manchuria, in result to expand to land for the Japanese. China requested help from League of Nations to fight off the Japanese. However the League didn't have its own army and negotiate and continued with its policy of aggression. In 1937, Japanese continued with the invasion and China was now at war. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor **
Once Adolf Hitler was in power, he was called Führer "the leader" and he changed Germany to dictatorship. He ignored all the terms in the Treaty of Versailles. He also controled the German through fear and intimidation. Hitler also had a secret police force to enforce his laws. Every other party were banned expect the Nazis. Swastika became the emblem of Nazis. -
Invasion of Abyssinia
Italy invades Abyssinia to expand their land and get resources, just as what Germany and Japan have been doing. Abyssinian asked for the League of Nation's help, but without any military of its own, it didn't help much. -
Re-militarization of Rhineland
Hitler sent his troops into Rhineland, In the Treaty of Versaille, Germany wasn't allow to be there. France could not act because of political instability at the time. -
Annexation of Austria
The start of Adolf Hitler's plan was to take over Austria. However France and Britian didn't take action, because they wanted to remain the peace. Hitler knowing France and Britain wasn't going to step in and stop, continued with his master plan. -
Munich Agreement
Adolf Hitler, Germany, and Benito Mussolini, Italy, signed the Munich Pact with French Premier Edouard Daladier, and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain which let the Axis take some parts of Czechoslovakia, of " Peace of Out Time". -
Germany's Invasion on Czechoslovakia
As part of Hitler's plan to expand Germany's land. Hitler tried to invade Czechoslovakia but Britian and France tried to negotiate. The agreement was Germany can have Sudetenland and promise not to take the rest of Czechoslovakia. The policy to enforce this was called the policy of appeasement. However months after the policy took place, Hitler continued his invasion, showing the policy of appeasement have failed. -
The Formation of Axis **
As known as the Pact of Steel, the alliance Germany, Italy (1939), and Japan (1940). The Axis wanted to invade and expand their lands, as well as world domination. -
Nazi & Soviet's Non-Aggression Pact
Hitler's next plans were to unite with East Prussia with the rest of Germany. However to get there he must get through Poland. Hitler knew he didn't want to invade Soviet Union, so he sign a non-aggression pact with Joseph Stalin. Both countries agreed not to fight each other if a war occurs and they divided Poland. Now Hitler was free to make his move. -
Invasion of Poland **
When Germany invaded Poland to expand their land, Britain and France knew Hitler went to far and declared war on Germany. This was the beginning of World War II. -
Australia and New Zealand enters War
Australia and New Zealand Declares war on Germany, and supports the Allies. Australia provided their Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). New Zealand also supported the allies through Air Service. -
Canada Declares War on Germany
After Germany's invasion on Poland, Britain and France immediately declared war on Germany. Unlike the First World War, Canada had the choice to join the war or not. On September 8, there was a special session to make a decision. Two days later, Canada joins the Allies in the war. -
Germany Invasion on Soviet Union
Germany invaded Soviet Union, also known as Operation Barbarossa. This broke the Non-Aggression pact. Germany and Soviet both knew at some point they would fight each other in war. Germany gained an advantage striking the Soviet first, but the Operation turned out to be a failure. Russia joined the war to fight the Germany and the Axis. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan's attacks the United State's Pearl Harbor, knowing U.S. has a larger navy than them. The United States joined the Allies and declared war on Japan. Later Germany and Italy also declared war on U.S. Now the world was truely at war.