#AP World History: Modern - Road to WWII 🚀

Hey there, future AP World History master! Let's get you prepped for the exam with a super-focused review of the causes of World War II. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet – concise, clear, and designed to make everything click. Let's dive in!

#1. The Unstable Peace After WWI 🕊️

#The Paris Peace Conference Fiasco

• The Paris Peace Conference (1919) aimed to create lasting peace but... it kinda failed. 😬
• Key Issues:
  • Failed to address underlying tensions like imperialism and nationalism.
  • Self-interest of major powers (France, Britain, Italy) led to territorial disputes.
  • No effective system for maintaining peace. 💔
• Mandates: Gave Hitler a justification for invading German-speaking regions, claiming to unify the "superior race." 🚩

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• Italy: Felt cheated, receiving little territory despite fighting for the Allies. This fueled nationalism and expansionist ambitions under Mussolini. 🇮🇹
• Germany:
  • The War Guilt Clause placed sole blame on Germany and imposed heavy reparations. 😠
  • Disarmament limited their military, seen as an attack on national sovereignty.
  • International Isolation: Germany was initially excluded from the League of Nations and banned from uniting with Austria.
• Result: Created widespread resentment and instability, setting the stage for future conflict. 💣

Jump to Global Economic Crisis

#2. Global Economic Crisis 📉

#The Great Depression's Global Impact

• The Great Depression (1929) began in the U.S. and quickly spread globally. 🌍
• How it Spread:
  • U.S. economic collapse led to a decline in international trade and investment.
  • European economies, heavily reliant on U.S. trade, suffered immensely.
  • Collapse of U.S. banks caused deflation and economic downturn in Europe.
• Impact:
  • Widespread unemployment and poverty led to social and political upheaval.
  • Rise of extremist political movements (fascism, communism) promising order and prosperity. 💡

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• Germany: Hit hard by the depression, leading to resentment and social unrest.
• Hitler and the Nazi Party capitalized on this, promising to:
  • End reparation payments from WWI.
  • Restore Germany as a leading power. 💪
  • Blamed the Treaty of Versailles for their woes.
• Result: Hitler's promises resonated with a desperate populace, ...