1. Treaty of Versailles: The harsh terms imposed on Germany after World War I, particularly the loss of territory and the requirement for reparations, created deep resentment and a desire for revenge among many Germans.
2. Rise of Fascism: The emergence of fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan, led by charismatic leaders like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo, who pursued aggressive expansionist policies.
3. Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, established after World War I to promote peace and prevent future conflicts, proved ineffective in deterring aggression and enforcing its resolutions.
4. Appeasement Policy: The policy of appeasement pursued by Western powers, particularly Great Britain and France, allowed Germany to annex territory and expand its military in the 1930s without facing significant consequences.
5. Economic Depression: The Great Depression of the 1930s caused widespread economic hardships and political instability, which weakened the resolve of democratic countries to confront rising authoritarian regimes.
6. Munich Agreement: The 1938 Munich Agreement, in which Britain and France agreed to Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, further emboldened Hitler's expansionist ambitions.
7. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact: The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 between Germany and the Soviet Union secured their mutual non-aggression and allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of immediate conflict with the USSR.
8. Invasion of Poland: Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, marked the official start of World War II when Britain and France declared war on Germany in response.