Territorial and Political Changes: The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was widely regarded as harsh and punitive toward Germany. This treaty led to resentment and bitterness within German society and fueled a nationalistic desire for revenge and reclamation of lost territories.
Rise of Totalitarianism: The interwar period witnessed the rise of totalitarian regimes in several countries, notably Germany (Nazism under Adolf Hitler), Italy (Fascism under Benito Mussolini), and Japan (Militarism and Imperial Expansion). These regimes sought to challenge the established world order and expand their territorial influence.
Economic Depression: The Great Depression, which began in the late 1920s, caused widespread economic devastation and political instability globally. Countries struggled to cope with the ensuing social and economic crises, and some saw increased support for right-wing, nationalist, and authoritarian leaders.
Appeasement Policy: Several nations, notably Britain and France, pursued a policy of appeasement to avoid military conflict or further territorial concessions. This policy of compromising with aggressive powers failed to deter expansionist regimes like Nazi Germany and only emboldened them to make further demands.
Arms Race: Japan, Italy, and Germany engaged in an arms buildup and military expansion, challenging the established powers and threatening the balance of power that had existed in Europe and Asia prior to World War I.
Ethnic and Nationalist Aspirations: Europe and Asia continued to grapple with ethnic, national, and territorial disputes even after World War I. These long-standing conflicts and political divisions contributed to instability and provided fertile ground for nationalist movements to exploit.
In summary, the causes of World War II were multifaceted and included a complex combination of political, economic, territorial, ethnic, and strategic factors, with roots both in the post-World War I era and in developments throughout the interwar period. Blaming World War II solely on World War I would be overlooking the various other significant contributing factors that led to the second global conflict.