Although measures were set in place to avoid a second world war, many things caused it to be inevitable. The Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Hitler, the rise of Japan as a world power, the rise of fascism in Italy and the League of Nations were all factors which contributed to the cause of World War II.
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace settlement between Germany and the Allied Powers that officially ended World War I. However, the conditions in the treaty were so harsh on Germany that many believe the Treaty of Versailles was one of the main causes for the eventual rise of Nazis in Germany and the eruption of World War II. Part of the treaty commonly known as the "War Guilt Clause" forced the German nation to accept complete responsibility for initiating World War I. Germany was responsible for all material damages, and the premier of France, Georges Clemenceau, particularly insisted on Germany paying large amounts of money to compensate for all the damage caused. Clemenceau and the French were aware that Germany would probably not be able to pay such an enormous debt, but nevertheless greatly feared rapid German recovery and the initiation of a new war against France. To avoid this, the treaty also limited the German army to 100,000 men, restricted the Navy to vessels under 100,000 tons, and forbade Germany to have an air force. The terms of the Versailles Treaty were so hostile to Germany that German Chancellor Philipp Scheidemann resigned rather than sign it. However, Germany realised they had to sign it for they no longer had any military power left to resist. The treaty left Germany weak enough to turn against the Allied Powers but they were strong enough to retaliate if they broke the treaty which eventually happened ...
... middle of paper ...
...937.
There were many reasons why a second world war was inevitable. The Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Hitler, the rise of Japan as a world power, the rise of fascism in Italy and the League of Nations all had key roles in the eruption of World War II. Although there were many measures set in place to avoid a second world war it was unavoidable, and there will no doubt be at least one more in the future.
Works Cited
Maureen Anderson et al 2012, Retroactive 10: Australia Curriculum for History, Jacaranda, Milton, Queensland pp48-56
Tony Taylor et al 2012, Oxford Big Ideas: Humanities 4, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne pp72-76 http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/versailles.htm http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwari/p/Versailles-Treaty.htm http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/riseofhitler/ http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/leagueofnations.htm
Along with all the tensions on the rise, the Great European powers further expanded their armies and navies. The expansion of the armies and navies led to an arms race that increased suspicion and made the war even more likely.
There are many reason why the world plunged into its first world war. There were over a half a dozen mutual protection pacts that forced other countries to enter the war. The fact that countries were in an arms race well before the war is a leading cause. Also Imperialism led to war because European countries had territories in Africa and A...
House of Representatives. (1965, April 29). Retrieved March 16, 2014, from Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates: http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/commemorations/education/Documents/avw_topic1.pdf
Another factor in causing World War II was the Wall Street Crash of 1929 resulting in a 2-year economic depression all over the world. Not only did these cause countries such as Britain and France to take a less active foreign policy, but also it destroyed the newly found prosperity in Germany and made many people jobless. This led to Hitler
In the nineteenth century, the “History wars” became the fight between the most prominent historians revolving around the deception of frontier conflict between the labor and coalition. The debate aroused from the different interpretations of the violence that took place during the European colonization and to what degree. It became a crisis in history, emerging from the dispossession of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) that resulted in exclusion of their traditions and culture. The ATSI were the first people of Australia that brought along a different culture, language, kinship structures and a different way of life (Face the Facts, 2012). Post European colonization was a time where the ATSI people experienced disadvantage in the land they called home. With the paramount role as future educators, it demands proficient knowledge on the Australian history and one of the most influential moments in our history started from the first European settlers.
...on of these harsh terms on their nation. These Treaty of Versailles conditions together with Adolf Hitler’s proficient propaganda campaign prompted World War Two.
Various Authors (2012) Oxford Big Ideas Australian Curriculum History 10, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria
Gard, S. (2000). A history of Australia. The Colony of New South Wales. South Yarra: MacMillan Education Australia Pty Ltd.
The causes of World War 2 were : the failure of both Versailles Treaty, League of
The Treaty of Versailles, initially created to keep peace in Europe and ensure that another war like World War I wouldn’t happen again, had in fact, backfired and spiraled the world down into a deeper, bloodier battle. The treaty discriminated strongly against Germany, with the loss of territories, military restrictions, economic reparations, and the War Guilt Clause. It caused humiliation and anger within Germany, and led to Hitler and the Nazi Party coming to power. World War II was not only started by Adolf Hitler and Germany, but had a lot to do with the humiliation that Germany felt when the terms for the Treaty of Versailles were laid down. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles may be indirectly related to the cause of World War II, but nonetheless was a huge factor in starting the war.
Finally, the accumulated hatred amongst the people gave birth to the potential for a revolution. The Treaty of Versailles is, therefore, an indirect cause to World War II, because of the alliances it caused, the punishments it enforced, and the hatred it developed. The coalitions brought by the Versailles Treaty contributed greatly to starting WWII. The Treaty was responsible for the formation of the Allies. However, when made, these alliances were based on promises from the superpowers, particularly France.
When writing the "big picture" histories, historians often overlook or exaggerate certain aspects of Australian history to make their point. Discuss with reference to one the recommended texts.
Warfare between two parties has always been a major catalyst of world history today. Specifically, Word War I had many dictators and world leaders that were not satisfied with the way things had played out, including Hitler, dictator of Germany. World War I began during 1914, and was between the Allied Forces and Axis Forces. It was the result of tension building up in the European front for decades prior to WWI. However, although Germany was punished terribly for WWI, it did not stop her from joining forces with Italy and Japan. These three powerful countries took action against the rest of the world, beginning in 1939, and initiated WWII. The League of Nations, designed to keep peace between the European fronts, failed to do its job. Therefore, the main reason world was plunged into World War II in 1939 was because of the League of Nations’ failure to act promptly. This brings to light that the effective response to aggression is collective security, and not appeasement.
Jerod Ford 3/20/14 Period 6 Why Was WWI Inevitable? Europe has seen many wars over its vast and broad history, some of which are quite immense and destructive. One such war would undoubtedly be World War One. A war powered by the brainwashing ways of militarism and the stubborn pride of nationalism.
In October 1918 the German government came forward to the U.S. president Woodrow Wilson to make a general armistice (Encyclopedia Britannica). Germany accepted Woodrow Wilson’s treaty but the other allies demanded that German pay for the damage they have caused all over Europe. After all negotiations were over the Treaty of Versailles was signed 28th of June 1919, but America never signed the treaty because the USA Germany had little to no say of what was put into the treaty and the allies knew that the German government would adhere to any conditions. German knew they had been beaten and needed to stop the war at all cost which gave the allied powers free range on whatever they thought the German people should pay. The treaty cut a mass chunk out of the land that German had owned, depleted their allowed