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The Treaty of Versailles
While the Treaty Of Versailles crippled Germany's economy after World War I, it helped the Axis powers to have an upper hand at the start of World War II. After the treaty was pass, Germany received a tremendous amount of support from the United States and other countries. Germany's economy was stabilized and Adolf Hitler was elected into office. The treaty helped the Axis powers during World War II because it led to the rise of Nazi Germany. -
China's Civil War
When China's communist party and KMT party caused a civil war, Japan had the ability to cause China to be on the defensive with their invasion. China had limited resources to halt Japan's advancements, which provided Japan with a head in WWII. With the communist rise, China could only accept defeat. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression crippled the United States economy and damaged it's international affairs. Because of the impact the Depression had, many Americans wished to remain isolated. Because of this, the United States quickly disappeared from the scope of international affairs. The United States could not take the essential steps to prevent the rise of Germany, Italy, or Japan. Because the United States was in such dire conditions, the Axis powers could easily reach success without recourse. -
Hitler's Successful Election
When Adolf Hitler become chancellor, this was a major turning point in the success of the Axis powers in WWII. Hitler caused mass destruction and chaos across Europe. Without his success, the Axis powers would not have had the same success. -
The United States Neutrality Acts
Because of the Great Depression, the United States created the Neutrality Acts throughout the 1930's to avoid conflict. Little did the United States know, that the rise of the Axis powers was caused by these fatal acts. The United States saw the concerns for the Axis powers but because they refused to be involved in another conflict, the Axis powers were able to rise without recourse. -
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
While this pact might have prevented a direct conflict between Russia and Germany, this still gave Germany, and by proxy, the Axis powers, more power in WWII. Hitler would have never successfully invaded Poland without a compromise with Russia. This allowed Hitler to seize Poland and have access to more resources to help in the rise of the Axis power. -
The Invasion of Poland
When Germany made the decision to invade Poland, they did it at little expense of resources. Germany decided to attack smaller countries with fewer resources to quickly build up the power it had. This made the Axis powers extremely successful because it was a start of a string of victories. They were able to build up resources and strengthen with smaller countries before invading larger ones. -
London Bombings
After the dropping of 30,000 bombs, Hitler had hoped to scare France into defeat. An estimated 6,000 people died and almost twice as many were critically injured. The city and the population was left in ruins. This contributed the the success of the Axis powers because not only did they kill a plethora of innocent people, but France's morale was in ruins. It gave the Axis powers the fear and image that they wanted. -
Italy Invades North Africa
Although Italy already presented a strong economic standing in North Africa, Mussolini began dreaming of expanding that presence. This allowed the Axis powers to succeed because they were creating, yet another, sphere of power that the Allies had to fend off. With a heavy presence in Northern Africa, the axis powers were able to exploit resources and gain power. -
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
When the United States was brutally bombed by the Japanese, this put a new perspective of fear across the globe. The Axis powers were seen as an effective force that needed to be stopped. The bombing contributed the Axis powers success because it damaged the United States and the allies ability to stop the rise of Germany, Italy, and Japan, and instead, put the Axis powers on a global scale with a new image.
