How did the Wall street crash and depression cause World War 2?

While the Wall Street Crash and the following Great Depression were significant and influential global events, they were not the sole or direct cause of World War II. Various factors contributed to the outbreak of World War II, and the effects of the economic crisis were intertwined with political, ideological, territorial, and ethnic tensions that arose during the 1920s and 1930s. Here is how the Great Depression played a contributing role:

1. Impact on Germany: After World War I, Germany was struggling with the economic penalties imposed on it by the Treaty of Versailles. The Depression exacerbated Germany's economic and social conditions, causing severe unemployment and hardships. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party gained momentum as they promised to restore German pride, rebuild the economy, and reverse the consequences of the treaty.

2. Treaty of Versailles Resentment: Germany felt resentment toward the Treaty of Versailles, which had blamed Germany solely for the First World War and imposed severe economic and territorial punishments. The Depression's economic hardships fueled frustration and anger, motivating some Germans to seek ways to challenge these impositions.

3. Rise of Nationalism and Fascism: The economic crisis led to a rise in nationalist and authoritarian movements in various countries, including Italy, Germany, and Japan. These movements promoted policies of rearmament and expansionism as solutions to economic problems. Germany's Nazi regime adopted a philosophy of racial supremacy and pursued a policy of aggressive territorial expansion, setting the stage for conflict.

4. Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, established after World War I to prevent future conflicts, proved unable to effectively address international disputes. The Great Depression weakened its authority, as member states focused on their domestic problems and failed to collectively respond to rising nationalism and aggression.

5. Isolationism in the U.S.: In the wake of World War I and the Depression, the United States pursued an isolationist foreign policy, minimizing its involvement in international affairs. This left a vacuum in global leadership and emboldened certain countries, such as Germany and Japan, to pursue aggressive military strategies.

It is important to recognize that the Wall Street Crash and the Depression intersected with other factors, such as the rise of militarism, territorial conflicts, and unresolved issues from World War I. The combination of these multifaceted circumstances collectively contributed to the escalation of tensions and culminated in the outbreak of World War II.