Causes of World War II

The three most powerful Allied leaders during World War I: Georges Clemenceau of France, David Lloyd George of Britain, and Woodrow Wilson of the USA.

A peace treaty signed after World War I, officially ending the war between the Allied powers and Germany.

The monetary payments imposed on Germany after the war by the Allied victors to compensate for war damages.

Extreme or rapid increase in prices due to an over-supply of money.

French troops occupied the Ruhr region of Germany to force Germany to pay reparations.

A non-violent method used by the German government to protest the French occupation of the Ruhr, encouraging workers to refuse to work.

Clause in the Treaty of Versailles that held Germany solely responsible for starting World War I.

Germany's economy was severely hurt by the war and its reparation payments in the Treaty of Versailles.

Hyperinflation in Germany drastically reduced the value of money, severely impacting savings and pensioners.

Gustav Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark, a new currency, to combat hyperinflation; and secured loans for German businesses through the Dawes Plan.

The Locarno Pact, signed by Stresemann, improved Germany's international relations with France and Belgium.

The 1929 Wall Street Crash prompted American banks to recall foreign loans, leading to significant economic problems globally.

Germany experienced severe unemployment during the Great Depression, rising dramatically from 2 million to 6 million between 1929 and 1932

The Nazi Party lured voters by promising jobs, wealth, and a restoration of German pride through nationalism.

Under leadership of Hitler, Germany violated provisions of the Treaty of Versailles such as rearmament and territorial expansion.

Appeasement was trying to avoid war by giving into aggressive states' demands.

France, Britain, and the USA all had different goals for Germany after World War I. France wanted to punish Germany for the war and prevent future attacks. Britain wanted to ensure Germany was still able to trade with them. The USA wanted to establish a peaceful world order.

The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe penalties on Germany. Germany had to accept blame for starting the war, make large reparations payments, reduce its military, and lose territory.

France occupied the Ruhr industrial region in 1922 to force Germany to pay reparations. Germany responded with passive resistance, refusing to work. This led to severe economic hardship, hyperinflation, and widespread distress.

Hyperinflation is an extremely rapid increase in prices due to a sharp decline in the value of a currency. This happens when too much money is printed without a corresponding increase in goods and services.

Hyperinflation in Germany made money practically worthless. Savings were wiped out, pensioners lost their incomes, and people struggled to afford even basic necessities.

A non-violent way of protesting where people refuse to cooperate with an authority. In the Ruhr crisis, German workers refused to work in protest of the French occupation.

The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles created deep resentment and bitterness among the German people. This resentment fueled nationalism and facilitated the rise of extremist political groups like the Nazis, who promised to overturn the treaty.

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 led American banks to withdraw loans from Germany. This resulted in a severe economic crisis in Germany, deepening the effects of the Great Depression and exacerbating existing problems like unemployment and political instability.

Germany printed excessive amounts of money to pay war reparations, leading to a rapid decrease in its value.

The Wall Street Crash triggered a global economic crisis, leading to a severe rise in unemployment in Germany, with millions losing their jobs.

Hitler and the Nazi Party promised to solve Germany's economic problems, restore national pride, and reclaim lost territory.

Stresemann introduced a new currency (Rentenmark) to combat hyperinflation and secured US loans for German businesses through the Dawes Plan.

An agreement between Germany, France, and Belgium that aimed to improve international relations and ensure peace in Europe.

Hitler reinstated conscription, significantly expanding the German army, defying the Treaty's disarmament clause.

A policy of giving in to demands of aggressive nations to avoid war, often used to describe reactions to Hitler's expansionism.

Hitler believed in acquiring more land, or "lebensraum", for the German people, leading to aggressive territorial expansion.