1. The Treaty of Versailles: The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, left Germany feeling humiliated and resentful. This resentment was a major factor in the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s.
2. The rise of fascism: In the 1920s and 1930s, fascist governments came to power in Italy, Germany, and Japan. These governments were characterized by their aggressive nationalism, militarism, and disregard for human rights.
3. 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.
4. The Munich Agreement: In 1938, Germany annexed the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia, with the consent of the British and French governments. This agreement was a major diplomatic victory for Hitler and it emboldened him to further aggression.
5. The invasion of Poland: In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, which was the final straw for the British and French, who declared war on Germany. This marked the beginning of World War II.