However, your second part of the question is not entirely accurate. World War II did not start as a direct result of the armistice agreement or the conclusion of World War I. While the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I and was signed in June 1919, did impose harsh conditions on Germany, it was not the sole cause of World War II. The factors leading to World War II are more complex and interconnected.
Historians and scholars generally point to a combination of factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War II. These include:
1. Economic Problems and Resentment: The global economic crisis in the 1930s, known as the Great Depression, severely affected Germany, leading to widespread unemployment and economic instability. This situation stoked resentment among Germans, who felt the harsh conditions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles were contributing to their economic woes.
2. Emergence of Fascism: The rise of fascist ideologies and regimes, particularly in Germany under Adolf Hitler, played a crucial role in the lead-up to World War II. Fascist leaders like Hitler exploited public grievances, nationalist sentiments, and fears to consolidate power and promote aggressive expansionist policies.
3. Appeasement Policy: The policy of appeasing Germany and avoiding conflict pursued by some European countries, such as Britain and France, allowed Germany to remilitarize the Rhineland, annex Austria (Anschluss), and occupy the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia without significant international opposition. This emboldened Hitler and further escalated tensions.
4. Territorial Ambitions: Germany's desire to expand its territory and regain lost territories from World War I was a significant factor in the lead-up to the conflict. Hitler pursued an expansionist agenda that included the reunification of all ethnic German territories, including those outside the country's existing borders.
5. Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, an international organization established after World War I to promote peace and prevent future conflicts, proved ineffective in preventing the outbreak of World War II. The League's inability to enforce its resolutions and address Germany's violations of the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the failure to maintain peace.
In conclusion, while the end of World War I with the armistice agreement on November 11, 1918, marked the cessation of hostilities, it did not directly lead to the start of World War II. The causes of World War II are multifaceted and interconnected, involving economic, political, social, and ideological factors.