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Causes of WW2 - Coggle Diagram
Causes of WW2
Political
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Policy of Appeasement:
Concessions to Aggressors: Britain and France made concessions to Germany and Italy, such as allowing the annexation of the Sudetenland, in an attempt to avoid conflict.
Misjudgment of Aggression: The policy was based on the hope that satisfying the demands of totalitarian regimes would prevent further aggression, a hope that proved misguided.
Emboldening Aggressors: Appeasement ultimately emboldened Hitler and other totalitarian leaders, leading them to pursue even more aggressive policies.
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Munich Agreement (1938):
Ceding the Sudetenland: The agreement allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland, demonstrating the failure of appeasement and signaling that further expansion might be tolerated.
Undermining Czech Security: The agreement left Czechoslovakia vulnerable and contributed to its eventual disintegration.
Increased German Aggression: The Munich Agreement encouraged Hitler to pursue further territorial expansion, leading to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of war.
Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939):
Non-Aggression Pact: The pact between Germany and the Soviet Union ensured that Germany could invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.
Secret Protocols: The secret protocols divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, facilitating the subsequent invasion of Poland and the start of World War II.
Betrayal of Alliances: The pact shocked the international community and undermined any potential alliances against Germany, isolating Poland.
Geopolitical
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British, French, and Italian Surveillance of Germany:
Diplomatic Efforts: Efforts by Britain, France, and Italy to monitor and limit Germany’s power were often undermined by diplomatic agreements that favored Germany.
Shifting Alliances: Secret agreements and shifting alliances altered the balance of power and contributed to the overall instability in Europe.
Inconsistent Policies: Inconsistent policies and responses to German aggression led to confusion and a lack of coordinated action against the growing threat.
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Economic
Great Depression:
Global Economic Instability: The Great Depression caused widespread economic hardship and unemployment, destabilizing economies worldwide and fostering political extremism.
Rise of Extremist Movements: Economic distress contributed to the rise of totalitarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan, as people turned to radical solutions for their problems.
Nationalistic Policies: Countries facing economic difficulties pursued aggressive nationalist policies to distract from domestic issues and seek economic recovery through expansion.
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Social
Treaty of Versailles:
Economic Hardship in Germany: The reparations and economic penalties imposed by the Treaty of Versailles led to severe economic difficulties in Germany, creating widespread discontent.
Nationalist Resentment: The Treaty’s terms, including territorial losses and military restrictions, fueled nationalist resentment and revanchist sentiments among Germans.
Political Instability: The Treaty contributed to political instability in Germany, facilitating the rise of extremist groups like the Nazis who promised to overturn its terms.
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