World War Two

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, was seen as a humiliating and harsh settlement by Germany. It included the following terms:

• Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war
• Germany had to pay heavy reparations to the Allied powers
• Germany lost all its colonies and had its military severely restricted

This caused resentment in Germany and a desire for revenge.

The Rise of Fascism

Fascism was an authoritarian, nationalist ideology that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. Fascist regimes came to power in several countries, including:

• **Italy** under Benito Mussolini
• **Germany** under Adolf Hitler

Fascist leaders sought to expand their power and influence, which led to increased tensions and the eventual outbreak of war.

The Policy of Appeasement

The policy of appeasement was adopted by Britain and France in the 1930s. This involved making concessions to Hitler's demands in an attempt to avoid war. However, this policy was ultimately unsuccessful and only encouraged Hitler's aggression.