World War II Study Pack: Two Study
Guides + Practice Test
, Section 1: Study Guide #1 – Causes and Pre-War Context
1. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
● Ended World War I; imposed harsh reparations on Germany.
● Germany lost territory, colonies, and most of its military.
● Caused economic hardship and national humiliation.
● Contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party.
2. League of Nations
● Created to maintain world peace.
● Lacked military enforcement powers.
● Failed to stop Japanese aggression in Asia and German expansion in Europe.
3. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
● Adolf Hitler (Germany): Nazi Party, expansionist policies, anti-Semitic ideology.
● Benito Mussolini (Italy): Fascist government, expansion into Africa.
● Joseph Stalin (USSR): Communist rule, collectivization, and purges.
4. Economic Factors
● The Great Depression (1929) caused global poverty and unemployment.
● Economic instability made people support extremist political movements.
Guides + Practice Test
, Section 1: Study Guide #1 – Causes and Pre-War Context
1. Treaty of Versailles (1919)
● Ended World War I; imposed harsh reparations on Germany.
● Germany lost territory, colonies, and most of its military.
● Caused economic hardship and national humiliation.
● Contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party.
2. League of Nations
● Created to maintain world peace.
● Lacked military enforcement powers.
● Failed to stop Japanese aggression in Asia and German expansion in Europe.
3. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
● Adolf Hitler (Germany): Nazi Party, expansionist policies, anti-Semitic ideology.
● Benito Mussolini (Italy): Fascist government, expansion into Africa.
● Joseph Stalin (USSR): Communist rule, collectivization, and purges.
4. Economic Factors
● The Great Depression (1929) caused global poverty and unemployment.
● Economic instability made people support extremist political movements.
