Darren Mowrer

Period 3

May 3, 2000

Causes and Effects of World War II

Causes

Unhappiness over the treaties at the end of World War I

Peace of Paris

Treaty of Versailles

The worldwide economic depression

Encouraged growth of Communism and fascism

The growth of nationalism in Europe and Japan

Problems between religious and ethnic minorities

The rise of dictatorships made easier with political unrest and a poor economy

Many of these forces combined to lead to aggression into other lands and civil war in others.

Appeasement did not solve the problems of aggression.

Invasions into other countries forced the hand of allied countries to declare war

Effects

Death of over 17 million soldiers and the destruction of many parts of Europe

More than 12 million "displaced persons" or refugees after the war; poverty and hunger

Allies occupied Europe and tried to assist in peace, but caused problems

The United Nations was formed in an attempt to keep the peace

The allies in war, such as the Soviet Union, could not remain so in peace--led to the Cold War,

which led to the arms race and the idea of the "iron curtain"

US became more involved in world politics and not so isolationist