The Causes of World War II for AP World History

Feb 2

7 min read

Many historians argue that World War II was a continuation of World War I because the Treaty of Versailles did not solve the underlying conflict that caused World War I. The failures of the Treaty of Versailles are just one of the causes of World War II. Read the Google Slides to learn about the causes of World War II.

An Overview of the Causes of World War II

World War II, one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, stemmed from a complex web of interrelated factors. At its core lay the unresolved tensions and resentments lingering from World War I, exacerbated by the harsh terms imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Economic turmoil, political instability, and social unrest provided fertile ground for the rise of aggressive and expansionist regimes, notably Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, and militarist Japan. These regimes sought to assert dominance, redraw borders, and pursue imperial ambitions, often at the expense of neighboring countries. The failure of international diplomacy and collective security mechanisms, such as the League of Nations, to prevent aggression and mediate disputes further fueled the march towards war. Additionally, ideological clashes between democracy and totalitarianism, as well as territorial disputes and the quest for Lebensraum (living space), contributed to the escalating tensions. The invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939, followed by the subsequent declarations of war by Britain and France, marked the formal beginning of World War II, plunging the world into a devastating conflict that would reshape the course of history.

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919 to formally end World War I, imposed harsh penalties and conditions on Germany, setting the stage for the grievances and resentments that fueled World War II. Among the key problems were the crippling reparations payments demanded from Germany, which destabilized its economy and fueled resentment among its populace. Additionally, the treaty imposed severe territorial losses on Germany, including the loss of Alsace-Lorraine and significant parts of its industrial heartland, weakening its geopolitical position and igniting nationalist sentiments. The demilitarization of the Rhineland and restrictions on the size and capabilities of the German military further exacerbated feelings of humiliation and injustice. Politically, the treaty’s clauses were seen as a diktat imposed by the victorious Allies, undermining the legitimacy of the Weimar Republic and fostering a climate of political extremism. These grievances were exploited by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, who capitalized on widespread discontent to rise to power, promising to overturn the injustices of Versailles and restore Germany’s former glory. Ultimately, the failure to address the systemic flaws and injustices of the Treaty of Versailles sowed the seeds of instability and resentment that contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression, a severe economic downturn that began in 1929, played a significant role in setting the stage for World War II. The economic turmoil triggered by the stock market crash of 1929 led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest across the globe. As economies collapsed and international trade contracted, countries turned inward, adopting protectionist measures and pursuing policies of economic self-sufficiency. This economic nationalism exacerbated existing tensions and rivalries among nations, contributing to a climate of political instability and uncertainty. Moreover, the Great Depression fueled the rise of extremist ideologies and authoritarian regimes, such as fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany, and militarism in Japan, which promised to restore order and prosperity through aggressive expansionism and nationalist fervor. These regimes exploited the economic hardship and disillusionment of their populations, channeling discontent into aggressive foreign policies aimed at territorial expansion and the pursuit of national greatness. Ultimately, the economic devastation wrought by the Great Depression weakened the international order, eroded faith in democratic institutions, and created conditions conducive to the outbreak of World War II.

The Rise of Fascism

The rise of fascism in Italy and Germany emerged as a significant cause of World War II. In Italy, Benito Mussolini capitalized on social unrest and economic instability to establish a fascist regime in the 1920s. Promising to restore Italy’s former glory and address the nation’s grievances, Mussolini employed authoritarian tactics to suppress dissent and consolidate power. His aggressive foreign policy, including the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, demonstrated Italy’s expansionist ambitions and contributed to regional tensions. Similarly, in Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power amidst economic turmoil and political chaos following World War I. Exploiting nationalistic sentiments and scapegoating minority groups, Hitler implemented a totalitarian regime that prioritized militarization, territorial expansion, and racial supremacy. The rearmament of Germany, the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the persecution of Jews and other minorities underscored Hitler’s aggressive ambitions and posed a direct threat to regional stability. The fascist regimes in Italy and Germany, characterized by authoritarianism, militarism, and territorial expansion, significantly escalated tensions in Europe and laid the groundwork for the outbreak of World War II.

The Nazi Party

The rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler to power in Germany was a complex process fueled by a combination of economic hardship, political instability, and nationalist fervor. In the aftermath of World War I, Germany was grappling with severe economic challenges, exacerbated by the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses on the country. Amidst widespread disillusionment and discontent, Hitler, a charismatic and persuasive orator, emerged as a powerful figure, capitalizing on the public’s grievances and fears. Promising to restore Germany’s former glory and overturn the perceived injustices of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler and the Nazi Party appealed to nationalist sentiments and blamed minority groups, particularly Jews, for the nation’s woes. Through a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign and the use of paramilitary organizations like the Sturmabteilung (SA), Hitler garnered support and instilled a sense of unity and purpose among disaffected Germans. The Great Depression further fueled public frustration, creating fertile ground for extremist ideologies. In the midst of political chaos and economic turmoil, Hitler’s message of national revival and racial purity resonated with many Germans, propelling the Nazi Party to electoral success. In January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and through a combination of legal maneuvering, intimidation, and violence, he consolidated power, ultimately establishing a totalitarian regime that would plunge the world into the horrors of World War II.

The Nuremberg Laws

The Nuremberg Laws, enacted by the Nazi regime in Germany in 1935, were a series of discriminatory measures aimed at institutionalizing racial segregation and persecution of Jews. These laws defined who was considered Jewish based on ancestry and prohibited marriage or sexual relations between Jews and non-Jews. Additionally, they stripped Jews of their citizenship and civil rights, excluding them from many aspects of public life, including employment, education, and participation in public events. The Nuremberg Laws laid the legal groundwork for the systematic persecution and eventual genocide of millions of Jews during the Holocaust. They exemplified the extreme anti-Semitic ideology of the Nazi regime and marked a significant turning point in the escalation of racial oppression in Germany, contributing to the growing atmosphere of fear and discrimination that ultimately culminated in World War II.

Lebensraum

In Nazi Germany, Lebensraum, meaning “living space,” was a key ideological concept propagated by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. It referred to the expansionist policy aimed at acquiring territory, primarily in Eastern Europe, to accommodate the perceived needs of the German people. According to Nazi ideology, Germany required additional land to support its growing population and provide resources for its economic and agricultural development. This expansionist agenda was driven by notions of racial superiority, with the belief that Germans, as the so-called “Aryan” race, were entitled to dominate and exploit inferior races. As part of this Lebensraum policy, the Nazi regime engaged in aggressive territorial conquests, annexing territories such as Austria, Czechoslovakia, and parts of Poland. These actions ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II as neighboring countries resisted Nazi expansionism. The pursuit of Lebensraum reflected the expansionist and imperialistic ambitions of the Nazi regime, leading to devastating consequences for Europe and the world.

The Axis Powers

In the buildup to World War II, Germany forged alliances with Japan and Italy, shaping the course of global events. Germany’s alliance with Italy, epitomized by the Pact of Steel in 1939, stemmed from shared fascist ideologies and a mutual desire for territorial expansion. Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, saw the alliance as an opportunity to bolster its position in the Mediterranean and pursue imperial ambitions in North Africa. Concurrently, Germany’s collaboration with Japan, highlighted by the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936, aimed to counter the perceived threat of communism and expand influence in East Asia. Japan, seeking resources and regional dominance, found common cause with Germany against the Soviet Union and Western powers. These alliances culminated in the Axis Powers, presenting a formidable challenge to the established order.

The Munich Agreement

In the lead-up to World War II, Germany pursued a policy of territorial expansion under Adolf Hitler’s aggressive leadership. The annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, marked the beginning of this expansionist phase. Hitler’s next target was the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. In response to escalating tensions, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain pursued a policy of appeasement, hoping to avoid conflict by acceding to some of Hitler’s demands. This approach culminated in the Munich Agreement of September 1938, where Britain and France agreed to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for Hitler’s promise of no further territorial ambitions. However, the Munich Agreement ultimately failed to prevent war, as Hitler continued his expansionist agenda, seizing the rest of Czechoslovakia and eventually invading Poland in 1939. The policy of appeasement, epitomized by the Munich Agreement, has been widely criticized for emboldening Hitler and enabling further aggression, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II.

World War II Begins

The period between the Munich Agreement in September 1938 and the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 was marked by a series of significant events that heightened tensions and paved the way for conflict. Despite the Munich Agreement, which appeased Hitler’s territorial ambitions by allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, the Nazi regime continued its aggressive expansionist policies. In March 1939, Germany violated the agreement by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia, further alarming the international community. Meanwhile, Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, expanded its territorial ambitions by invading Albania in April 1939. The signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union in August 1939 shocked the world, as it included a secret protocol to divide Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This pact cleared the way for Germany’s invasion of Poland, which occurred on September 1, 1939, triggering the onset of World War II. The events leading up to the war underscored the failure of appeasement policies and highlighted the aggressive actions of totalitarian regimes, ultimately leading to a global conflict of unprecedented scale and devastation.

Would you rather watch a video on the causes of World War II?