The Great Depression: The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had a devastating impact on the world economy. Germany was particularly hard-hit, and the economic crisis helped to create a sense of desperation and instability in the country.
The Rise of Fascism: The interwar years saw the rise of fascist movements in Europe, including Italy, Germany, and Spain. Fascist governments were characterized by their authoritarianism, nationalism, and militarism. They often appealed to people who were feeling angry and frustrated about the economic crisis and who were looking for a strong leader to restore order and prosperity.
The Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations was an international organization that was created after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among nations. However, the League was unable to prevent the outbreak of World War II. This failure contributed to the loss of faith in international institutions and the rise of nationalism and militarism.
Japanese Imperialism: In 1910, Japan annexed Korea and took control of Manchuria in 1931. Japan also invaded China in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War. Japan's aggression caused alarm in the United States, Britain, and France. It also led to a conflict with the Soviet Union, which had a border dispute with Japan in Manchuria.
The Invasion of Poland: On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This invasion marked the beginning of World War II. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later.