Causes of WWII

Question 1

What were the 10 main causes of WWII

(State at least 10 of the 13 listed)

Answer 1

1. Hitlers foreign policy objectives
2. Manchuria in 1932
3. Germany leaving the LoN
4. Saar Plebiscite
5. Abyssinia in 1935
6. Breaking of the treaty (conscription, rearmament and remilitarisation)
7. Appeasement
8. Anschluss with Austria
9. Munich Agreement
10. Spanish civil war
11. Invasion of Czechoslovakia
12. Nazi-Soviet pact
13. Invasion of Poland

Question 2

What were Hitlers 3 foreign policy objectives?

Answer 2

1. Revise and push the boundries of the Treaty of Versailles
2. Unite all German speaking people into one Reich (Empire)
3. Expand eastward to achieve “Lebensraum” (living space)

Question 3

What happened in Manchuria around 1932 and how did this lead to WWII?

Answer 3

It started with the Japanese military sabotaging one of their train lines that went through Manchuria, a city in China. They did this to then accuse China of sabotaging the railway, which also marked the beginning of Japanese occupation in Manchuria. This marked a massive escalation of aggression in Japan and the actions contributed to the worsening of relations between Japan and other countries.

Question 4

When did Germany leave the LoN and how did this contribute to the start of WWII

Answer 4

Germany left the LoN on October 14, 1933. Germanies withdrawal signaled Germany’s defiance of international norms and his intention to pursue his own agenda without any regard for the LoN

Question 5

What was the Saar Plebiscite and how did it contribute to WWII

Answer 5

The Saar Plebiscite was a referendum held in the Saar region, which Germany had lost due to the treaty at the end of WWI, that called for the Saar region to reunite with Germany. The Plebiscite was quite significant because it highlighted tensions in Europe leading up to WWII. The Plebiscite was also used as a propaganda tool for nazi germany and it also showcased Hitlers ability to rally support even in regions that h

Question 6

What was the Saar Plebiscite and how did it contribute to WWII

Answer 6

The Saar Plebiscite was a referendum held in the Saar region, which Germany had lost due to the treaty at the end of WWI, that called for the Saar region to reunite with Germany. The Plebiscite was quite significant because it highlighted tensions in Europe leading up to WWII. The Plebiscite was also used as a propaganda tool for nazi Germany and it also showcased Hitlers ability to rally support even in regions that he had no control over. The Saar region voted to return to German control.

Question 7

What happened in Abyssinia in 1935 and how did it lead to WWII

Answer 7

In 1935, Italy under the fascist rule of Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). The Ethiopian government sought help from the LoN, but all they did was place limited economic sanctions against Italy, which failed to stop the invading force. This helped lead to WWII as it highlighted The weakness and ineffectiveness of the LoN as well as this action drew Italy closer to Nazi Germany

Question 8

How did the rearmament, conscription and remilitarisation of Germany lead to WWII

Answer 8

First of all, they went directly against the Treaty’s terms, which also showed how little respect Hitler had for the Treaty and the LoN. This was also the buildup of Germany’s army which threatened the other European countries

Question 9

How did appeasement lead to WWII

Answer 9

Appeasement was the initial policy used by the LoN to combat the nazi threat. It involved making compromises that basically just let Germany get away with stuff. This allowed the German power to grow and highlighted the weakness of the LoN

Question 10

When did Germany invade poland?

Answer 10

September 1939. This also marked the beginning of the war

Question 11

When did WW2 End? (In Europe

Answer 11

May 8th