World War II: Causes and Precursors
A Grade 12 Social Studies worksheet exploring the primary causes and significant precursors to the outbreak of World War II.
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World War II: Causes and Precursors
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Provide detailed explanations where required, demonstrating your understanding of the complex factors leading to World War II.
1. Which of the following treaties is often cited as a significant cause of resentment and instability leading to World War II due to its harsh terms imposed on Germany?
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Trianon
Treaty of Westphalia
2. The policy of appeasement, exemplified by the Munich Agreement in 1938, primarily aimed to:
Form a strong alliance against Germany
Prevent war by making concessions to aggressive powers
Strengthen the League of Nations
Promote economic cooperation in Europe
3. The failure of the to effectively address international crises and enforce collective security contributed to the rise of aggressive dictatorships.
4. Adolf Hitler's ideology of and his desire for 'Lebensraum' (living space) fueled Germany's expansionist policies.
5. The Great Depression had no significant impact on the political stability of European nations, thus playing no role in the outbreak of WWII.
True
False
6. The Anti-Comintern Pact was an agreement between Germany and Japan, later joined by Italy, to oppose communism and the Soviet Union.
True
False
7. Explain how the concept of 'collective security' was intended to prevent another major war after WWI, and why it ultimately failed.
8. Discuss the role of Japanese expansionism in Asia as a contributing factor to the global conflict that became World War II.
Match each term with its correct description.
9. Anschluss
a. The union of Germany and Austria in 1938.
10. Sudetenland
b. A region of Czechoslovakia with a large German-speaking population, annexed by Germany in 1938.
11. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
c. A secret agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union to divide Poland.
Observe the map below, which illustrates the territorial changes and alliances leading up to World War II.
12. Based on the map, identify one significant territorial change that occurred in Europe between 1935 and 1939 that contributed to rising tensions.