World War II causes:
There were many factors that contributed to the start of World War II below I have explored the role they played in the outbreak of WWII
- The Treaty of Versailles
- The Appeasement Treaty failure
- The League of Nations failure
- Wall Street Collapse/ Great Depression
- Hitlers actions
Below is a timeline displaying the chronological order in which the following events occurred.
- The Treaty of Versailles
- The Appeasement Treaty failure
- The League of Nations failure
- Wall Street Collapse/ Great Depression
- Hitlers actions
Below is a timeline displaying the chronological order in which the following events occurred.
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was an agreement created by France, Britain, America and Italy in 1919. The treaty was an opportunity to discuss and determine the exact terms of Germany’s punishment for the damage sustained in World War I.
Each countries representative all had different opinions as to how Germany should be dealt with. Frances representative Clemenceau believed Germany should be brought to its knees, and hit so hard it would never be able
to start another War. However Woodrow Wilson, America’s representative believed Germany should be punished but in such a way that would bring peace to Europe. While Britain’s Representative Lloyd George, personally agreed with Wilson he knew the British public was desperate for revenge.
In end terms of the treaty stated:
1. War Guilt: Germany should accept full responsibility for starting world war II
2. Financial: Germany would have to cover all damage sustained during WWII, which was up to 6,600 million dollars.
3. Military: Germany was only allowed a small army of 100,000 men, and a limited navy and no air force, submarines or tanks. Rhineland also became a demilitarized zone.
4. Territorial: All overseas colonies were surrendered to the League of Nations and all land Germany gained during the war had to be returned. Anschluss, Germany and Austria’s union was forbidden to prevent either country motivating the other or getting too strong.
Many, especially Germany found this treaty harsh and unreasonable, however Germany were forced to sign and comply with the Treaty.
This angered the Germans and their suffering motivated them to elect Adolf Hitler, who promised revenge and relief from the treaty.
The Treaty of Versailles was an agreement created by France, Britain, America and Italy in 1919. The treaty was an opportunity to discuss and determine the exact terms of Germany’s punishment for the damage sustained in World War I.
Each countries representative all had different opinions as to how Germany should be dealt with. Frances representative Clemenceau believed Germany should be brought to its knees, and hit so hard it would never be able
to start another War. However Woodrow Wilson, America’s representative believed Germany should be punished but in such a way that would bring peace to Europe. While Britain’s Representative Lloyd George, personally agreed with Wilson he knew the British public was desperate for revenge.
In end terms of the treaty stated:
1. War Guilt: Germany should accept full responsibility for starting world war II
2. Financial: Germany would have to cover all damage sustained during WWII, which was up to 6,600 million dollars.
3. Military: Germany was only allowed a small army of 100,000 men, and a limited navy and no air force, submarines or tanks. Rhineland also became a demilitarized zone.
4. Territorial: All overseas colonies were surrendered to the League of Nations and all land Germany gained during the war had to be returned. Anschluss, Germany and Austria’s union was forbidden to prevent either country motivating the other or getting too strong.
Many, especially Germany found this treaty harsh and unreasonable, however Germany were forced to sign and comply with the Treaty.
This angered the Germans and their suffering motivated them to elect Adolf Hitler, who promised revenge and relief from the treaty.
The Appeasment Treaty
Another major factor in the outbreak of World War II was the failure of the the Munich Treaty between British Prime MInister Chamberlain and Adolf HItler in May 1937. This treaty also known as the Appeasment Treaty, appeasement meaning to give in to anothers demands as long as they are reasonable, agreed to surrender part of Czechoslovakia called Sudetenland to Hitler in exchange for Germany's agreement that they would not attempt to invade or make any further territorial claims.
While this was generally thought of as a success, appeasing Hitler and preventing future war, the people of Czechoslovaki had a very different perspective. Understandingly, they felt betrayed by both allies France and Britain however they were not invited to the conference and were forced to accept the Treaty.
The Munich Treaty was a momentous achievement, proving to the people differences could be settled through negotiation rather than violence and war.
However this was short lived as Hitler broke the Munich Treaty and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. This failure highlighted the impossible task of reasoning with Adolf Hitler, however Chamberlain was still reluctant to declare war for the loss of Czechosloakia and the failed treaty and instead made an agreement to defend Poland should Germany attack. The Failure of the
Another major factor in the outbreak of World War II was the failure of the the Munich Treaty between British Prime MInister Chamberlain and Adolf HItler in May 1937. This treaty also known as the Appeasment Treaty, appeasement meaning to give in to anothers demands as long as they are reasonable, agreed to surrender part of Czechoslovakia called Sudetenland to Hitler in exchange for Germany's agreement that they would not attempt to invade or make any further territorial claims.
While this was generally thought of as a success, appeasing Hitler and preventing future war, the people of Czechoslovaki had a very different perspective. Understandingly, they felt betrayed by both allies France and Britain however they were not invited to the conference and were forced to accept the Treaty.
The Munich Treaty was a momentous achievement, proving to the people differences could be settled through negotiation rather than violence and war.
However this was short lived as Hitler broke the Munich Treaty and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. This failure highlighted the impossible task of reasoning with Adolf Hitler, however Chamberlain was still reluctant to declare war for the loss of Czechosloakia and the failed treaty and instead made an agreement to defend Poland should Germany attack. The Failure of the
Hitlers Actions
Many people believe that World War 2 was unavoidable and imminent. Some think that War would have broken out regardless of Hitler, that Hitler just seized his opportunity to enforce his political ideology. Germany as a whole was angry and ready to strike out at the world in anger at the unjust terms they were bound by according to the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler actually spent time in jail for ‘political offences’.These offfences included Hitler storming the Prime Minister of Bavaria with armed men and attempting to take the world by force. Hitler was restrained and sentenced to 5 years in jail for his ‘attempted high treason’. Although he was sentenced to 5 years he was released after 6 months due to good behaviour.
Adolf Hitler spent the majority of his time in prison writing his auto-biography ‘Mein Kampf’ translating to ‘My Struggle’. This book outlined his political ideologies and future intentions for Germany. This book became the cornerstone for Nazi’s and their beliefs, policies and actions.
A major idea and popular concept in ‘Mein Kampf’ was the idea of ‘lebensraum’ or ‘living space’. This was ideas that Germany was
a growing, superior nation and needed to expand. This involved Germany acquiring and conquering Eastern Europe and Russia, cleansing it of its population and allowing the Germans to repopulate resulting in the glorious Third Reich. Hitler didn’t invent this theory, but he promoted it in both his speeches, his actions and ‘Mein Kampf’.
Hitler’s rise to power was a long-term goal, during the ‘roaring twenties’ the Germans ignored Hitler and his hatred however,
when the Great Depression and Treaty of Versailles hit them hard, they turned to him. His strong, confident position and promises to lift Germany out suffering and debt was very appealing to the people and votes increased. The current President of Germany, President Hindenburg was in desperate need of support to help control his nation and decided to employ Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933. However, he was unable to control Hitler let alone the German population and died a year later August 1934. Hitler had an opportunity to assume his role and did so without hesitation. He named himself the ‘Fuhrer’and took control of the nation.
With his new found power Hitler immediately began building up an army, created a German Air force and Navy. This alone violated the Treaty but Hitler didn’t stop there, he posted German Troops in Rhineland – a de-militarised zone according to the Treaty of Versailles. However keen to avoid another World War, France and Britain turned a blind eye. Hitler continued to
cause chaos all over Europe demanding Sudetenland be surrendered to him before invading the rest of Czechoslovakia. Hitler also made alliances with Italy and Japan in 1936, and then in 1938 German troops marched into Austria and the Austrian public welcomed them and were united.
Hitler signed multiple agreements with France and Britain promising to end his expanding aims but broke all of them. The other countries continued to turn a blind eye, desperate to avoid war however, when Hitler invaded Poland they took action and declared war.
Many people believe that World War 2 was unavoidable and imminent. Some think that War would have broken out regardless of Hitler, that Hitler just seized his opportunity to enforce his political ideology. Germany as a whole was angry and ready to strike out at the world in anger at the unjust terms they were bound by according to the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler actually spent time in jail for ‘political offences’.These offfences included Hitler storming the Prime Minister of Bavaria with armed men and attempting to take the world by force. Hitler was restrained and sentenced to 5 years in jail for his ‘attempted high treason’. Although he was sentenced to 5 years he was released after 6 months due to good behaviour.
Adolf Hitler spent the majority of his time in prison writing his auto-biography ‘Mein Kampf’ translating to ‘My Struggle’. This book outlined his political ideologies and future intentions for Germany. This book became the cornerstone for Nazi’s and their beliefs, policies and actions.
A major idea and popular concept in ‘Mein Kampf’ was the idea of ‘lebensraum’ or ‘living space’. This was ideas that Germany was
a growing, superior nation and needed to expand. This involved Germany acquiring and conquering Eastern Europe and Russia, cleansing it of its population and allowing the Germans to repopulate resulting in the glorious Third Reich. Hitler didn’t invent this theory, but he promoted it in both his speeches, his actions and ‘Mein Kampf’.
Hitler’s rise to power was a long-term goal, during the ‘roaring twenties’ the Germans ignored Hitler and his hatred however,
when the Great Depression and Treaty of Versailles hit them hard, they turned to him. His strong, confident position and promises to lift Germany out suffering and debt was very appealing to the people and votes increased. The current President of Germany, President Hindenburg was in desperate need of support to help control his nation and decided to employ Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933. However, he was unable to control Hitler let alone the German population and died a year later August 1934. Hitler had an opportunity to assume his role and did so without hesitation. He named himself the ‘Fuhrer’and took control of the nation.
With his new found power Hitler immediately began building up an army, created a German Air force and Navy. This alone violated the Treaty but Hitler didn’t stop there, he posted German Troops in Rhineland – a de-militarised zone according to the Treaty of Versailles. However keen to avoid another World War, France and Britain turned a blind eye. Hitler continued to
cause chaos all over Europe demanding Sudetenland be surrendered to him before invading the rest of Czechoslovakia. Hitler also made alliances with Italy and Japan in 1936, and then in 1938 German troops marched into Austria and the Austrian public welcomed them and were united.
Hitler signed multiple agreements with France and Britain promising to end his expanding aims but broke all of them. The other countries continued to turn a blind eye, desperate to avoid war however, when Hitler invaded Poland they took action and declared war.
Wall Street Collapse, Great Depression and
League of Nations failure.
The Wall Street Crash of late October 1929 also known as Black Tuesdays devastated the world within 1 month. The ‘roaring twenties’ went out with a bang when the shares which had been climbing rapidly started declining in value, some major investors pulled out and speculation occurred resulting in wide-spread panic. On October 1929 the market officially crashed when a record 16,000,000 shares were sold. Shares were a major industry and source of income
for the American public at the time, and their lives were tied up in it. Every man, woman, business and corner of the economy was in debt or was owed money, all the loans were called in simultaneously and market came to a standstill. This resulted in frequent almost constant bankruptcies and high-unemployment rates.
The Wall Street Collapse and Great Depression did contribute to the outbreak of World War II, the Politian’s who were making all the decisions
were surrounded by the Great Depression and its consequences, and it isn’t possible they weren’t affected by it.
The mass unemployment in Germany and poverty in Japan enraged the public of both Nations steeling them for war and allowing right-wing governments to seize control and encourage a violent reaction among the people. The instinct and desire to blame someone for the hardships turned country on country and adopt an aggressive foreign policy – relighting the smouldering remains of World War 1.
America panicked and in order to support her collapsing economy demanded Germany pay back its loans immediately. This crippled Germanys industry immediately allowing Adolf Hitler to gain control. Britain and France were struggling as well, this being the main reason they were unable to send re-enforcements to Manchuria, Italy and stop Hitler’s movements. They simply couldn’t afford to send armies when the League of Nations requested.
The League of Nations was a international organisation started at the end of World War 1 with its goal to maintain world peace. The Leagues 4 permanent members were Japan, Britain, Italy and France. Although the League of Nations was able to prevent smaller wars and disputes over land, they were unable and completely naïve to think thy could have stopped the events leading up to WWII. The League had no army or force of its own, and relief on the 4 powers to enforce decisions. Because no countries were able to enforce the League of Nations requests to settle differences by force when necessary, the League was rendered powerless.
League of Nations failure.
The Wall Street Crash of late October 1929 also known as Black Tuesdays devastated the world within 1 month. The ‘roaring twenties’ went out with a bang when the shares which had been climbing rapidly started declining in value, some major investors pulled out and speculation occurred resulting in wide-spread panic. On October 1929 the market officially crashed when a record 16,000,000 shares were sold. Shares were a major industry and source of income
for the American public at the time, and their lives were tied up in it. Every man, woman, business and corner of the economy was in debt or was owed money, all the loans were called in simultaneously and market came to a standstill. This resulted in frequent almost constant bankruptcies and high-unemployment rates.
The Wall Street Collapse and Great Depression did contribute to the outbreak of World War II, the Politian’s who were making all the decisions
were surrounded by the Great Depression and its consequences, and it isn’t possible they weren’t affected by it.
The mass unemployment in Germany and poverty in Japan enraged the public of both Nations steeling them for war and allowing right-wing governments to seize control and encourage a violent reaction among the people. The instinct and desire to blame someone for the hardships turned country on country and adopt an aggressive foreign policy – relighting the smouldering remains of World War 1.
America panicked and in order to support her collapsing economy demanded Germany pay back its loans immediately. This crippled Germanys industry immediately allowing Adolf Hitler to gain control. Britain and France were struggling as well, this being the main reason they were unable to send re-enforcements to Manchuria, Italy and stop Hitler’s movements. They simply couldn’t afford to send armies when the League of Nations requested.
The League of Nations was a international organisation started at the end of World War 1 with its goal to maintain world peace. The Leagues 4 permanent members were Japan, Britain, Italy and France. Although the League of Nations was able to prevent smaller wars and disputes over land, they were unable and completely naïve to think thy could have stopped the events leading up to WWII. The League had no army or force of its own, and relief on the 4 powers to enforce decisions. Because no countries were able to enforce the League of Nations requests to settle differences by force when necessary, the League was rendered powerless.