Hitler's Aims and Actions as the Cause of World War II When considering the reasons for the outbreak of war in 1939 it is easy to place the entire blame on Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy in the late 1930s. One British historian, writing a few years after the end of the war, claimed that ‘the Second World War was Hitler’s personal war, in that he intended it, he prepared for it, he chose the moment for launching it.’ In this assignment it is my intention to show that Hitler’s foreign policy was a major factor in causing the conflict but that other reasons, both long term and short term, need to be recognised as well. Probably the first factor that need considering is the Treaty of Versailles, of 1919. The harshness of the Treaty and the way in which it blamed Germany for World War I crippled Germany. Much of its territory was taken away from it, including West Prussia that went to form a new Polish Corridor to the sea. Plus the Treaty forced Germany to reduce its army, demilitarise the Rhineland and get rid of its navy. The Treaty also forced harsh reparations for the War resulting in a great deal of the German people resenting the Allies. And it was later that Hitler used the bitter memories of Versailles to gain public support for his actions. 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
The causes of World War II can be attributed to the following ideas or events: the mentality of power is strength by Heinrich von Treitschke, the Treaty of Versailles, the global depression following the end of World War I, and Nazi Imperialism.
A.J.P. Taylor believes that Hitler did not plan or desire for a world war to occur. Many historians have judged Hitler’s intentions when preparing his military as deliberate proof of his strategizing for an expansive war. The justification for Hitler's military plans according to Taylor, was that he viewed other countries as a threat to him and the restoration of Germany. As a result, both sides believed the other was preparing aggressively against them. Germany, Britain, and many other countries directed their generals to prepare for war. Taylor uses this to prove that Hitler’s preparation was not peculiar, or specific to only Germany; everyone during that time was preparing for a possible war.
World War Two was the most devastating conflict in the history of humanity. It crippled many nations and caused millions of people to die. One of the major causes of this disastrous war was the Treaty of Versailles which ended the First World War. This treaty was destructive towards the Germans. Germany had to pay large amounts of reparations to the Allied nations at the end of World War One resulting in a Great Depression in Germany. Additionally, the Treaty of Versailles’ war guilt clause forced Germans to admit full responsibility for starting the war. Furthermore, to gain the support of the German populace, Adolf Hitler adopted an effective propaganda campaign. Adolf Hitler employed a successful propaganda campaign to gain the support of the German people combined with the Treaty of Versailles harsh economic and political sanctions ignited World War Two.
DBQ - The Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles was pivotal in setting the stage for World War II. Its imposition of unfair conditions on Germany sparked widespread discontent among its people, pushing them to a tipping point. The dismantling of German territories and the stringent limitations placed on its military capabilities fueled a deep sense of humiliation and injustice. This wounded pride provided fertile ground for the rise of Adolf Hitler, who capitalized on the sentiments of the populace to emerge as a charismatic leader. Document A
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 of 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.
However, this essay aims to argue that the two most important reasons that Britain eventually went to War in 1939, are firstly, Germany's invasion of Poland, which forced Britain to take action, and secondly that Hitler's aggressive action eventually had to be combated, he could not be allowed to take over Europe. By 1939, Britain had abandoned all hope of keeping the peace through Appeasement and negotiation. Hitler had to be stopped, and War was Britain's last resort. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 by Britain, France and America to decide on what to do with Germany following World War One.
as a historian it is clear that in the years of 1941 and 1942 things
The Treaty of Versailles did not just end World War I, but it also changed the world. From it changing every countries view on Germany, to changing Germany itself. It contained many conditions, which led to the countless numbers of results. This treaty created a completely different outlook on the world.
The extreme policies of Treaty of Versailles caused horror and outrage in the German people. Both Hitler and the German people felt their army had not been defeated on the battlefield, but had been “undermined by political treachery at home.” (History Place) The people did not like the humiliation
There were many causes that led to World War Two, some of them being: The Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Japan as a world power, the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, and The League of Nations. However, the main reason that the Second World War was inevitable was unquestionably due to the rise of Adolf Hitler. WWII was directly brought about by his actions in the 1930s. Even though the League of Nations had set measures in place to avoid this happening, they were unable to prevent the war due to the fascist thinking that led Hitler to believe that Germany could win the war.
The treaty of Versailles was humiliating; it forced Germany to accept the full responsibility for the war. The treaty also commanded that no German troops could be stationed in their industrial heartland; it capped their military size for the country; it took away foreign holdings and forced Germany to pay reparations that were crippling. The treaty of Versailles paved the rise of Hitler and the Nazis just as the World War I did for the Communist revolution in Russia.
There were many causes of World War II. Germany wanted to expand in Europe. Italy wanted to expand in Africa. Japan wanted to expand in Asia & the Pacific. Other causes of the War include: the Treaty of Versailles, rise of dictatorship in Italy and Germany, expansionist policy of the Axis Powers, policy of Appeasement, and the weakness of the League of Nations.
World War Two Was the Result of the Aggression and Ambition of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
The Responsibility of Hitler for World War Two In this essay I will be looking at the main causes of World War 2 and deciding whether it was all Adolf Hitler's fault that it began. I will be looking at things Hitler did, other causes and then concluding with my opinion. In some ways the war was Hitler's fault.
Some people think that the beginning of World War Two was all Germany or Hitler’s fault. Yes, it may have been their fault, but there were other events that occurred that may have also started it. There was a lot of stuff that happened in those years. Manchuria and Abyssinia were invaded, there was some trouble with the Treaty of Versailles,the policies of appeasement, the Nazi-soviet Pact, and the invasion of Poland. There is more explanation between these events. Of what happened, what they did to help, and what they did to help.