1. Treaty of Versailles (1919): The harsh terms imposed on Germany after World War I, including territorial losses, significant reparations payments, and the "war guilt" clause, created a sense of resentment and revanchism among the German people.
2. Rise of Fascism and Nazism: The interwar period saw the emergence of fascist and nationalist ideologies in Europe, most notably in Italy under Benito Mussolini and in Germany under Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party.
3. The Great Depression: The global economic crisis that began in 1929 deepened social and economic problems, leading to political instability and the rise of extremist movements.
4. Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936): Germany's violation of the Treaty of Versailles by remilitarizing the Rhineland, a territory that had been demilitarized, signaled Hitler's willingness to challenge the international order.
5. Anschluss (1938): The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 further expanded Nazi territory and raised concerns about Hitler's territorial ambitions.
6. Munich Agreement (1938): The agreement reached between Germany, Italy, Britain, and France, allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, setting a precedent for appeasement and emboldening Hitler's territorial demands.
7. Non-Aggression Pact (1939): The surprise signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939, divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence and allowed Germany to invade Poland without immediate fear of Soviet intervention.
8. Invasion of Poland (1939): On September 1, 1939, German forces invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II. Britain and France, bound by treaties, declared war on Germany two days later.
These events and factors, among others, demonstrate how the combination of political, economic, and territorial grievances, coupled with the rise of aggressive nationalist movements, led to the escalation of tensions and ultimately ignited World War II.