The rise of nationalism: After the end of World War I, many European countries experienced a rise in nationalism. This was particularly true in Germany, Italy, and Japan, where leaders such as Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo stoked nationalist sentiment in order to gain power.
The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed at the end of World War I, was widely seen as being unfair to Germany. It forced Germany to give up territory, pay reparations, and limit its military strength. This led to resentment in Germany, and many Germans believed that they had been betrayed.
The Great Depression: The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had a devastating impact on the world economy. It led to mass unemployment, poverty, and social unrest in many countries. This created a fertile environment for the rise of authoritarian leaders who promised to restore economic stability and national greatness.
The failure of collective security: The League of Nations, which had been created after World War I to promote collective security, was unable to prevent the outbreak of war. This was due to the fact that many of the leading countries in the League, such as the United States and Great Britain, were reluctant to use military force to stop aggression.
These are just some of the key factors that led to the outbreak of World War II. It is important to understand these factors in order to gain a full understanding of the war and its consequences.