CauseProblems Left Over from World War I
Germany wasn't very happy with the results of World War I, or with how they were being treated before and after it ended. Another problem was that the world was in a major depression adding to previous poverty in many nations. This left people wanting strong leaders to restore peace and power. The Rise of Dictatorships Very powerful leaders began to take control over Italy (Mussolini), Germany (Hitler), and Japan (Tojo). Meanwhile Joseph Stalin became the Communist dictator of the Soviet Union. The secret agreement between Stalin and Hitler to divide Poland made it so Germany had an opening to start World War II. Military Moves on Other Nations A lot of different military events caused the snowball effect into the start of World War II. Major countries made major military moves. It started when Japan invaded Manchuria and China, Italy seized control over Ethiopia and Albania, and Germany took over Austria and Czechoslovakia. Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union also took part in the Spanish Civil War in which they tested new weapons and strategies for the future. |
EffectsThe United Nations was established
Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, all major powers in 1939, were reduced in importance after 1945 The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers Germany, Italy, and Japan were stripped of all lands they seized before and during the war. Great Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union each maintained military occupation of a zone of Germany The U.S.S.R dominated other Eastern European countries Japan was operated by U.S. forces until 1952 The use of the atomic bomb against Japan marked the beginning of the nuclear age |