Flow Chart Assignment Directions: Create a flow chart, identifying the causes of World War II in Europe.

With a partner (only 2 people may work together for this assignment), review The National World War II Museum website, and complete a flow chart demonstrating your knowledge on the causes of World War II. Your flowchart may begin with whichever event you think was the first step towards World War II, but your flow chart must end with September 3rd, 1939, the Day England and France declared war on Germany. WEBSITE SOURCE TO USE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: http://www.ww2history.com Guidelines: You may work with a partner, but only 2 people may be in a group Your flowchart must have a minimum of 5 events. Write a minimum of 2 paragraphs detailing the event and how this event leads into the next event on your flowchart Your flowchart must demonstrate how one event leads to another event, with the final event being the beginning of the war in Europe The final event, the beginning of the war, does NOT count towards your 5 events. Your flowchart should demonstrate your knowledge of the causes

of World War II in Europe, and show a clear chain of events that led to the war.

Scoring Guide There is a minimum of 5 events +5 points Each event leads into another event, showing cause and effect +5 points Student demonstrates a working knowledge of the causes of WWII +5 points There is a minimum of 2 paragraphs per event, detailing event and how this event caused the following event +5 points The flowchart is easy to follow and looks professional +3 points The flowchart is free of spelling and grammar errors +2 points TOTAL = 25 points

Example Flowchart

World War I (1914-1918) World War I, which began in 1914 when Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. This declaration of war would set of a chain of events, due to a complicated system of alliances and treaties, which would lead to all of Europe and The United States fighting it out in the trenches. World War I pitted Austria- Hungry, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire against The British Empire, France, Russia, and the United States. World War I ended on November 11, 1918 when the Central Powers of Austria-Hungary, The Ottoman Empire, and lastly Germany signed an armistice agreement. This led to the Treaty of Versailles, signed by Germany, which severely punished Germany for the war, and setting of a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the Second World War. \/\/ \/\/

The Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1918, the treaty represents the end of conflict between Germany and the Allied Powers of The British Empire, France and The United States. Under the terms of the Treaty Germany was forced to accept full blame for the war, known as the War Guilt Clause. Germany was forced to pay for the damages of the war, taking full economic responsibility for the war. Lastly Germany was forced to disarm, their military was severely limited, and they were forced to demilitarize the Rhineland, between Germany and France. The Treaty of Versailles was a source of great resentment for the German people. Germans felt that they were forced to accept unfair terms in the treaty, and were especially offended by the War Guilt Clause, which forced them to take the blame for the war. The German economy was seriously damaged by the war reparations clause. The Treaty of Versailles would open the door for a charismatic leader to step into, and use German resentment to rebuild the German nation. \/\/ \/\/

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler, a veteran of World War I, saw the resentment Germans felt over the Treaty of Versailles, and would use that resentment to rise to power in the German government. Adolf Hitler promised to

abandon the Treaty of Versailles, build up the Germany military, end the war reparations, and return German to their former status in Europe. Hitler, who took power in 1933, quickly acted upon his promised, and began building up the German military. Hitler ordered troops back into the Rhineland, and began taking back land Germany lost in the First World War, including the Sudetenland. Though the Allied Powers of Britain and France were aware of Hitlers actions, they failed to act, instead adopting a policy of Appeasement. \/\/ \/\/

Policy of Appeasement While Britain and France were aware of Hitler breaking the terms of the treaty they failed to act, adopting a policy of Appeasement, thereby allowing Hitler to continue his actions unchallenged. Coming out of the First World War, which devastated the European landscape, European Powers were afraid to get involved in another international military conflict. The European Powers also feared the rise of Communism in The Soviet Union, and hoped Germany would stop the spread of Communism westward. European powers sympathized with the Germans concerning remilitarization, arguing that they should be allowed to defend themselves from the Communists. A policy of appeasement was adopted, designed to avoid a war, while containing Hitler and

stopping the spread of Communism. The main proponent of appeasement was Chamberlain the Prime Minister of Britain, who declared he had secured peace for our time. \/\/ \/\/

Germany Invades Poland The European Powers took a policy of appeasement towards Germany, thereby allowing Germany to rebuild its military, enter the Rhineland, and take lands such as the Sudetenland. The appeasement allowed Hitler to greatly expand his powers in Europe, and led Hitler to believe he would go unchallenged in his pursuits. This would lead to Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, guaranteeing the Soviet would not interfere in German activities concerning Poland. One September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Due to the nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union, the Germans were able to easily defeat the Polish arm and occupy Poland. The invasion of Poland was the breaking point for European Powers, who had guaranteed to protect Poland, and on September 3, 1939 Britain and France declared war on Germany, effectively beginning the Second World War. \/\/ \/\/

On September 3, 1939 European Powers, most notably Britain and France formally declared war on Germany, after the German

invasion and occupation of Poland.