The Causes of World War II

1091 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Treaty of the versailles

From the Treaty of Versailles, to the rise of Hitler, and the failure of the League of Nations, there were many causes that lead up to World War II. World War I left Germany with many shortfalls, thus leaving them in the hands of the Treaty of Versailles. Rather unfair of a Treaty, this left Germany once again looking for another way out. A country resented by many had no other choice but to feel optimistic toward Adolph Hitlers empty promises… making it substantially simple for him to gain power so quick. Throw in the Great Depression, and you have a vastly unstable world, which the Germans believed Hitler would lead them out of. After World War One, Germany was thrown into downward spiral. They were left with a monstrous amount of unemployed people, and they were still unhappy about being the scapegoat of World War One, thus according to the Treaty of Versailles. Looking for a way to rebuild, Hitler came in at a perfect time. Adolph Hitler made them many promises, ensuring them that in believing in him, Germany would be great once again. One of his many promises was that he would stimulate employment. To do this, he promised that he would employ the unemployed, by giving them jobs building roads, stadiums, etc. Hitler promised the middle class he would reinstate small business profits, and communist threat. He also promises farmers the reimbursement for their losses during the Great Depression, by raising the prices of their produce. Another one of Hitlers many promises was that he would destroy the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles basically blamed Germany for everything, stating that Germany accepted the guilt in causing the war. Germany signed under protest. It stated that Germany was to pay for the reparat... ... middle of paper ... ... They weren't allowed any more than 100,000 men in their army, they were only entitled to keep six battleships, they were not to create and kind of powerful aircraft. The Germans believed this was only to keep them weak. Enter Hitler, and his obliterating the Treaty of Versailles. He led Germany in rearming in 1933, and Hitler proclaimed they would be ready for war by 1940. Hitler basically destroyed the Treaty of Versailles by 1939, and thus World War II began with the invasion of Poland. All in all, there were many events and a vast amount of problems that ignited World War II. It's amazing how so many different aspects can all snowball into having the same motive of causing a world war. With so many powerful individuals all wanting something different (peace, power), it was just a recipe for disaster. Evidently, a nation under stress isn't a sound nation at all.

Show More
Related

  • Germany's Fatal Attraction to Hitler

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the First World War were forced to take blame for its happening. They were forced to pay ridiculous amounts in reparations & compensation. All of this being signed in the Treaty Of Versailles; this treaty was intended as a fair and just proposal but ended up in Germany losing billions of dollars to other countries, as well as losing heaps of land, thus crippling their economy. Leaving them weak to any nation or anyone, this was one way that helped Hitler come to power. Because of the state of Germany’s economy, Hitler portrayed himself as the saviour of Germany, the man that was going to restore the respect that their forefathers had earned & installed.

    Read More

  • Treaty Of Versailles Dbq Essay

    625 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is no excuse for the horrible things Nazi Germany did during World War II. But one can get a better idea how that war started by learning about how World War I ended. The Treaty of Versailles was created by the winners of World War I, like France, Great Britain, and the United States, to make peace. So how did it help contribute to an even worse war less than twenty years later? It was mainly because it was too hard on Germany’s territory, military, economy, and national pride.

    Read More

  • Why is it Important to Learn About the Holocaust?

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hitler was superb at convincing people to believe everything he said. He promised the people a roast in every pot, security, and many more things. By promising the people security that meant that he would keep them all safe and that he can do a better job than anyone else. Adolf Hitler increased in support from bankers and industrialists. So, pretty much he had most of the people who had higher power on his side durning this time period. The the united States stock market crasedd in October 1929 unemployment in Germany quickly rose to over six million. This opened another window for Hitler to get more peoplewho thought that they had nothing and their life was over to side with him. President Hindenburg did not want for Hitler to become the chancellor so instead he appointed Von Pappen but, Adolf Hitler did not agree nor did the Nazi's. hitler eventually did become the chancellor on January 30th, 1933 Hitler then banned all political parties. In 1934 the president died and Adolf Hitler forced his way into power. Now that he was the president he can change anyhting that he wants.

    Read More

  • Rosie the Riveter

    1261 Words  | 3 Pages

    Germany was economically frail subsequent to World War I. The Treaty of Versailles had held them accountable for the cause, and the Great Depression further deteriorated their condition. Germany was ambitious for power and resources. Envisioning world domination, Adolf Hitler, dictator of Nazi Germany, led his Nazi Party to invade Poland in 1939. France and Britain guaranteed to offer military support if Poland were to become attacked; they declared war, initiating World War II.

    Read More

  • Were Hitler's Actions The Main Cause Of World War Two

    966 Words  | 2 Pages

    The actions of Adolf Hitler the Führer of the German Empire are the main causes for the starting of World War Two. The military actions of Germany such as rearming of the German forces, which increased Hitler’s power and confidence dramatically as did the assistance Germany provided during The Spanish Civil War. The breaking of The Munich Agreement by Hitler was also a very important cause because it made the other powers realise that Hitler could not keep his word and did not want peace. Finally Hitler’s overconfidence that he could invade Poland without starting a war was on of his most important actions as it the trigger point for the Second World War. As a result of Hitler’s actions millions of lives were lost and the entire world would never be the same again.

    Read More

  • Hitler's Aims and Actions as the Cause of World War II

    819 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Causes of World War II

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Treaty of Versailles is a cause of World War II because of the restrictions it placed on Germany as the alleged sole aggressor of the war. The war reparation totaled $98 billion, and under Clause 231 Germany was forced to take the entire load onto her ruined economy and attempt to repay the debt starting with an initial $5 billion payment. In terms of military, Germany was limited to a 100,000 man army, with her navy stripped to the level of a coast guard, she was allowed no heavy artillery, no weapons of mass destruction and the border with France became a demilitarized zone for 15 years following the signing of the treaty on June 28 1919. Germany also lost all her territories in Africa and became a mandate of the Allied Forces, those living in mandated zones could participate in “self-determination” after the Allies taught them how to be a democracy (...

    Read More

  • Was the Treaty of Versailles the Major Cause of World War Two?

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...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.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Causes Of World War 2

    534 Words  | 2 Pages

    The causes of World War 2 were : the failure of both Versailles Treaty, League of

    Read More

  • Causes & Effects of the Holocaust

    1411 Words  | 3 Pages

    As an Austrian born soldier-turned-politician, Hitler was fascinated with the concept of the racial supremacy of the German people. He was also a very bitter, very evil little man. In addition, having lost the war, the humiliated Germans were forced by the Allies to sign the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 that officially ended World War I. According to the harsh terms of the treaty, Germany had to hand over many of its richest industrial territories to the victors, and was made to pay reparations to the Allied countries it devastated during the war. Germany lost its pride, prestige, wealth, power, and the status of being one of Europe's greatest nations.

    Read More

  • The Effect of the Great Depression on Hitler's Power

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    The German government ordered passive resistance but workers needed to be paid. The government printed money and hyperinflation set in. During this crisis in Germany, caused indirectly by the Treaty, when Hitler tried to seize power he was unsupported. Therefore the Treaty of Versailles, on its own, was not a reason why Hitler rose to power. After 1929, the Great Depression acted as a catalyst, igniting the German people's anger for the Treaty of Versailles and it then became a factor in Hitler's rise to power.

    Read More

  • How Did The Versailles Treaty Help The World War II?

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Treaty of Versailles as a Cause of WWII

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    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. This ensured that Germany would not have support from the smaller countries in Europe (Document B). Belgium had aligned itself with France previously, and it continued to do so, but Czechoslovakia and Poland...

    Read More

  • The Cause, Course, and Consequences of world War II

    386 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Why was it inevitable that there would be a second world war, even though measures were set in place to avoid this?

    1100 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Treaty of Versailles was one of the factors that led to the inevitability of World War Two. The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty that occurred as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that was held after Germany was defeated in World War One. The Treaty was put into action and required that Germany should accept responsibility for the war; of course Germany was humiliated by this. They were required to pay colossal war reparation payments. This was one of the main reasons the treaty had a severe impact on Germany; it crippled the German economy and critically reduced the living standards of the people. This made it virtually impossible for the German economy to function productively. The effects that the treaty had on Germany directly led to the rise of Hitler who he capitalised on German resentment at their treatment. He provided a focus for the German people and their desire to take back what they once had, and to restore their pride once again becoming a glorious nation.

    Read More

More about The Causes of World War II

Open Document