What were the major causes of world war 2?

What were the major causes of World War 2?

World War 2 was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving nearly every country in the world. It was the deadliest war in human history, resulting in an estimated 50-80 million fatalities. To understand the complexities of the war, it is essential to examine the major causes that led to its outbreak.

Immediate Causes:

• The invasion of Poland by Germany (September 1939): Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, which was met with a declaration of war by France and the United Kingdom. This marked the beginning of World War 2.
• The Soviet Union’s invasion of Poland (September 1939): The Soviet Union, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, also invaded Poland, and the two powers partitioned the country.

Long-term Causes:

• Treaty of Versailles (1919): The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War 1, imposed severe penalties on Germany, leading to widespread resentment and feelings of injustice. This resentment contributed to the rise of nationalism and anti-Semitism in Germany.
• Great Depression (1929-1939): The global economic downturn of the Great Depression had a profound impact on Germany, leading to high levels of unemployment and poverty. This created a sense of desperation among the German people, who were attracted to Hitler’s promises of jobs and prosperity.
• Appeasement Policy (1935-1938): The policy of appeasement, pursued by the United Kingdom and France, involved giving in to Hitler’s demands in the hope of avoiding war. However, this only emboldened Hitler, leading to the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, and the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Regional Causes:

• Japanese Expansion (1931-1941): Japan, driven by a desire for resources and territory, invaded Manchuria in 1931 and created the puppet state of Manchukuo. This led to tensions with China and the United States.
• Italian Fascism (1922-1943): Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime in Italy sought to expand Italian territory and create an "Empire of Rome." This led to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia and the bombing of innocent civilians in Spain and Greece.
• German-Austrian Relations (1938): The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, led to tensions between Germany and the countries of Eastern Europe.

Ideological Causes:

• National Socialism (1933-1945): Hitler’s National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) ideology emphasized the superiority of the "Aryan" race and the need to eliminate perceived enemies, including Jews, Romani people, homosexuals, and individuals with disabilities.
• Fascism (1922-1943): Mussolini’s fascist regime in Italy emphasized the importance of military strength, nationalism, and the cult of personality.
• Communism (1917-1945): The rise of communist movements in Europe, led by the Soviet Union, created tensions between capitalist and communist nations.

International Causes:

• Interwar Politics (1918-1939): The fragile peace after World War 1 led to a power vacuum in Europe, with no single nation or institution capable of maintaining stability.
• The League of Nations (1920-1946): The League of Nations, established after World War 1, proved ineffective in preventing the invasion of Poland and the spread of aggression.
• The Soviet-Japanese Non-Aggression Pact (1936): The pact between the Soviet Union and Japan allowed both powers to focus on their own expansionist agendas, rather than engaging in conflict with each other.

Consequences:

• World War 2:

  • Toll of war: The war resulted in an estimated 50-80 million fatalities, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.
  • Widespread destruction: The war left much of Europe and Asia in ruins, with cities reduced to rubble and economies in shambles.
  • Cold War:

    • Rise of the United States and the Soviet Union: The war marked the beginning of the Cold War, a period of ideological and geo-political rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
    Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns Now
    
    
    • Division of Europe: The war led to the division of Europe into Eastern and Western blocs, with the Iron Curtain separating the Soviet sphere of influence from the West.

Conclusion:

World War 2 was a complex and multifaceted conflict, with numerous causes that contributed to its outbreak. The immediate causes, such as the invasion of Poland, were sparked by a combination of long-term causes, including the Treaty of Versailles, the Great Depression, and the policy of appeasement. Regional and ideological factors, such as Japanese expansion and National Socialism, also played a significant role in the lead-up to the war. Ultimately, the consequences of World War 2 were far-reaching and profound, shaping the course of international relations and the world we live in today.

Timeline of Events:

Bibliography:

• Keegan, John. The Second World War. Penguin Books, 2005.
• Wheeler-Bennett, John. The Nemesis of Power: The German Army in Politics, 1918-1945. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
• Schulze, Hagen. Germany: A New History. Harvard University Press, 2002.
• Goralski, Robert. World War II Almanac, 1931-1945. Infobase Publishing, 2004.