3 Long Term & 3 Short Term Causes of WWII

Long Term Causes:

1. Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations -

• Extreme reparations, especially on Germany
• Become a mode for strong countries to band together against weaker, less autonomous nations
• Lack of action on world threats as opposed to promises in articles of confederation
  
• Cause of extended nationalism - unify Germany against Europe
  

2. Militarism/Industrialism/Nationalism -

• Buildup of forces to fight and increased aggression
• Competition for resources and material goods
• Increased nationalism in the race for heightened economy
• Lead to competition and desire for DOMINATION!!!
  

3. Post-WWII Division of Land -

• Losing countries of WWI angry due to loss of land that was rightfully theirs
• Change in boundaries and borders leave people of other nationalities in new countries, also put arguing political groups in same country
• Leave countries such as Germany desiring to reclaim their rightful land
  

Short Term Causes:

1. German Rearmament -

• Germany's increase in armed forces cause European countries to rearm due to the German threat
• Europe viewed the rearmament as a call to war, almost, at least as a threat
  

2. Annexation of Land (German & Italian) -

• Germany's continual aggression in the reclamation of land (Rhineland and Sudatenland)
• Italy attacks Ethiopia
• Europe fear all out war - both countries test their boundaries
  

3. Hitler's Invasion of Poland -

• Germany cross the line by invading Poland, thus forcing Britain and France
  to declare war
• Europe feel betrayed