What Caused wwii?
Image from: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/versailles.htm
Claim: The major causes of World War 2 were power-hungry rulers,imperialism, and the Treaty of Versailles.
Evidence: Japan was seeking to have a pacific empire, according to the class timeline. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. At this time, Japan was having to rely on the US for resources (class timeline and United States Army in World War 2, China-Burma-India Theater). Also, the Rape of Nanking was from 1937-1938. Italy was another country with a power-hungry leader. Mussolini ruled under fascism, where a leader decides what is best for the whole country. Italy craved more power and more land; it was a relatively young country at the time (according to the class timeline). Also from the timeline, Italy took over Ethiopia around 1936 and then had another battle with Ethiopia in 1939. Germany and Italy became allies in 1939. The Treaty of Versailles marked the "end" of World War 1. Germany was very angry and it's resentment built up when Hitler came to power as Chancellor in January 1933. This anger was a long term cause, leading back to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. The patriotic Germans had never forgotten how they were treated that year in Paris. According to Document 3 in the DBQ, "Treaties were signed in which will hold us down for centuries:and who has signed those treaties?... Governments." Also, the US didn't actually sign the Treaty of Versailles (class timeline info).
Reasoning: Japan invaded Manchuria because it wanted to be self sufficient and not have to rely on the US for resources. It was trying to expand to build a large empire. The Rape of Nanking was caused by Japan as a way to take over China, expand the empire, and also gain new resources. Japan imperializing China for its own gain had a huge effect on the rest of the world. Italy taking over Ethiopia and having a very strong and strict government caused other ambitious leaders to want to have Italy as an ally. Germany and Italy becoming allies caused two large and powerful countries to join together to dominate. The quote from document 3 shows that Germany was very bitter about the Treaty of Versailles and was angry that it had to give up so much because of what other countries said. The Treaty couldn't possibly be that helpful because the US, who was a major creator of it, did not sign it. Germany was still furious with the other countries about the Treaty of Versailles.
Evidence: Japan was seeking to have a pacific empire, according to the class timeline. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. At this time, Japan was having to rely on the US for resources (class timeline and United States Army in World War 2, China-Burma-India Theater). Also, the Rape of Nanking was from 1937-1938. Italy was another country with a power-hungry leader. Mussolini ruled under fascism, where a leader decides what is best for the whole country. Italy craved more power and more land; it was a relatively young country at the time (according to the class timeline). Also from the timeline, Italy took over Ethiopia around 1936 and then had another battle with Ethiopia in 1939. Germany and Italy became allies in 1939. The Treaty of Versailles marked the "end" of World War 1. Germany was very angry and it's resentment built up when Hitler came to power as Chancellor in January 1933. This anger was a long term cause, leading back to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. The patriotic Germans had never forgotten how they were treated that year in Paris. According to Document 3 in the DBQ, "Treaties were signed in which will hold us down for centuries:and who has signed those treaties?... Governments." Also, the US didn't actually sign the Treaty of Versailles (class timeline info).
Reasoning: Japan invaded Manchuria because it wanted to be self sufficient and not have to rely on the US for resources. It was trying to expand to build a large empire. The Rape of Nanking was caused by Japan as a way to take over China, expand the empire, and also gain new resources. Japan imperializing China for its own gain had a huge effect on the rest of the world. Italy taking over Ethiopia and having a very strong and strict government caused other ambitious leaders to want to have Italy as an ally. Germany and Italy becoming allies caused two large and powerful countries to join together to dominate. The quote from document 3 shows that Germany was very bitter about the Treaty of Versailles and was angry that it had to give up so much because of what other countries said. The Treaty couldn't possibly be that helpful because the US, who was a major creator of it, did not sign it. Germany was still furious with the other countries about the Treaty of Versailles.
Image from: http://englishrussia.com/2012/11/27/the-battle-of-the-caucasus/