1. Treaty of Versailles (1919):
- The harsh terms imposed on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles following their defeat in World War I caused resentment and a desire for revenge, fuelling nationalism and revanchist sentiments within Germany.
2. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes:
- The emergence of fascist regimes in Europe, particularly Adolf Hitler's Nazi party in Germany, Benito Mussolini's Fascist Party in Italy, and the militarist leadership in Japan, played a significant role in initiating World War II.
3. The Great Depression:
- The global economic crisis, or the Great Depression, triggered widespread economic suffering and instability, fuelling political unrest and nationalism across the world.
4. Expansionist Ambitions:
- Germany, Italy, and Japan embarked on expansionist and territorial policies to recover lost territories, gain natural resources, and assert national power. This resulted in geopolitical tensions and military conflicts leading to war.
5. Appeasement Policies:
- Western powers initially appeased Hitler's aggressive actions believing that they could avoid confrontation and maintain peace. Examples include Germany's violation of the Versailles Treaty by remilitarizing the Rhineland (1936) and the appeasement policy followed during the Munich conference (1938), when Britain and France accepted Hitler's incorporation of the Sudentenland region into Germany.
6. Outbreak of War (1939):
- On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, which led to Britain and France declaring war on Germany, marking the official start of World II.