Rising Storm Slides Rising Storm
The Road to World War II
The Aftermath of 1918
World War I was known as the "Great War." When it ended in 1918, the world was changed forever.
Countries were exhausted. They hoped the peace would last forever, but the way the war ended created new problems.
A Shaky Peace
The Treaty of Versailles
The Rules for Germany:
Must take full blame for the war.
Must pay billions in reparations (money).
Must give up large areas of land.
This treaty made many Germans feel humiliated and angry. It set the stage for future conflict.
Vocabulary: Reparations
Money paid by a country that loses a war to help repair the damage.
The Great Depression
In 1929, the world economy collapsed. This was a global crisis .
25%
Unemployment
Food Shortages
Lost Homes
When people are desperate and hungry, they often turn to extreme leaders who promise quick solutions.
The Rise of Totalitarianism
Germany
Adolf Hitler
Promised to tear up the treaty and restore pride.
Italy
Benito Mussolini
Wanted to build a new Roman Empire.
Japan
Military Leaders
Sought natural resources through conquest.
A Dictator has total control and allows no opposition.
Aggression and Expansion
1
Japan invades Manchuria (1931)
Taking land for resources in Asia.
2
Italy invades Ethiopia (1935)
Expanding power into Africa.
3
Germany takes Austria (1938)
Violating the Treaty of Versailles.
Appeasement
Other countries like Britain and France tried to keep the peace by giving in to some of Hitler's demands. This was called appeasement , but it only made the dictators bolder.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Hitler
Germany
A Secret Deal
Stalin
USSR (Russia)
In 1939, these two enemies shocked the world by promising not to fight each other . This allowed them to divide Poland between them.
September 1, 1939
Conflict
Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Great Britain and France declared war.
WORLD WAR II HAS BEGUN
Gathering Storm Worksheet The Gathering Storm
Causes of World War II
STUDENT:
DATE:
The history of World War II actually begins with the end of another conflict. In 1918, World War I finished, and the nations of the world met to create a lasting peace. They signed a document called the Treaty of Versailles . This treaty placed all the blame for the war on Germany. It required Germany to pay massive amounts of money, called reparations , and give up valuable land. Instead of creating peace, the treaty left many Germans feeling angry and humiliated.
During the 1930s, the world faced a massive economic collapse known as the Great Depression . Millions of people lost their jobs and could not afford food. In these desperate times, some people turned to extreme leaders who promised to solve their problems through power and strength. These leaders, known as dictators , took total control of their governments.
In Germany, Adolf Hitler rose to power by promising to restore German pride and ignore the Treaty of Versailles. In Italy, Benito Mussolini wanted to build a new empire. Across the ocean, Japan’s military leaders began invading parts of China to take control of natural resources. These three nations formed a group called the Axis Powers .
To avoid another war, countries like Great Britain and France tried a policy called appeasement . This meant they gave in to some of Hitler’s early demands, hoping he would eventually stop. However, this only encouraged him to take more land. In 1939, Hitler made a secret deal with the USSR (the Soviet Union) so they could divide the country of Poland between them. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and the world was plunged into World War II.
3 Comprehension Check
1. How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the start of World War II?
It helped Germany become rich and happy by giving them money.
It made Germans angry because it blamed them and took their money and land.
It encouraged countries to share their resources equally.
2. What role did the Great Depression play in the rise of dictators?
It made people wealthy, so they didn't care who was in charge.
It caused countries to stop using armies and focus on building homes.
It made people desperate, causing them to turn to strong leaders who promised help.
3. Based on the passage, what is "appeasement"?
A policy of giving in to a leader's demands to try and avoid a war.
A secret military plan to attack multiple countries at once.
Gathering Storm Answer Key Teacher Answer Key
Grade 3 • Gathering Storm Worksheet
Unit Context
Rising Storm: WWII Origins
1. How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the start of World War II?
It made Germans angry because it blamed them and took their money and land.
Teacher's Tip: Explain the term "humiliation" to 3rd graders—feeling smaller or worse than others. This helps them understand the emotional motivation for Germany's later aggression.
2. What role did the Great Depression play in the rise of dictators?
It made people desperate, causing them to turn to strong leaders who promised help.
Teacher's Tip: Use a real-world analogy. If you are very hungry and someone offers you food but tells you that you must follow their rules forever, would you do it? Many people during the Great Depression chose security over freedom.
3. Based on the passage, what is "appeasement"?
A policy of giving in to a leader's demands to try and avoid a war.
Teacher's Tip: Discuss why countries might choose this path. The memory of World War I was still fresh, and they were willing to do almost anything to avoid another massive conflict.
4. Why did the secret deal between Germany and the USSR surprise the world?
Sample Answer: The deal was surprising because Germany (Hitler) and the USSR (Stalin) were actually enemies who didn't like or trust each other. By promising not to fight, they were able to work together to take over Poland.
5. Vocabulary: Use the word "dictator" in a sentence.
Sample Answer: "The dictator took complete control of the country and did not let anyone vote or speak out against his rules."
3rd Grade Instructional Focus
At the 3rd-grade level, we transition from simple "fairness" to understanding cause and effect . Focus on the sequence: Economic hardship → Desire for strong leadership → Rise of Dictators → Territorial expansion → Conflict. Encourage students to identify these specific "links in the chain" of events.
