1. The Treaty of Versailles (1919): The end of World War I resulted in the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh conditions on Germany. These included the loss of territory, the payment of reparations, and restrictions on its military. The resentment caused by the treaty contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany.
2. The Great Depression (1929): The global economic crisis that began in 1929 had devastating effects on Europe and Asia. It caused widespread unemployment, poverty, and political instability, which weakened the democratic governments of the time.
3. The Rise of Fascism: The economic and social chaos of the Great Depression led to the rise of authoritarian leaders, such as Hitler in Germany, Benito Mussolini in Italy, and Emperor Hirohito in Japan. These leaders exploited the fears and grievances of their populations to gain power and expand their countries' territories.
4. Japanese Expansionism: Japan had been expanding its empire in Asia since the late 19th century. The Japanese military sought to secure access to resources and territories, and they viewed China as a key target. Their invasion of Manchuria in 1931 marked the beginning of World War II in Asia.
5. The Munich Agreement (1938): In 1938, Germany annexed Austria and then demanded the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. To avoid war, the British, French, and Italians signed the Munich Agreement, which allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland. However, this appeasement only emboldened Hitler and made war more likely.
6. The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939): In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact, which shocked the world. This agreement allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.
7. The Invasion of Poland (1939): On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II. Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany, but it was too late to stop the German war machine.
In summary, the combination of nationalism, territorial disputes, economic instability, and the rise of authoritarian leaders created the conditions that led to the outbreak of World War 2 in Europe and Asia.