Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, was seen by many Germans as harsh and punitive. The treaty placed the blame for the war on Germany, mandated Germany to pay significant reparations, and imposed territorial losses. This created widespread resentment and a desire for revenge among many Germans.
Economic Instability: The global economic crisis of the 1930s, known as the Great Depression, had a devastating impact on Germany and other countries. Economic hardship and high unemployment led to political instability, and the rise of extremist movements such as the Nazi Party in Germany.
Rise of Fascism and Militarism: The interwar period saw the rise of fascist regimes, particularly in Germany, Italy, and Japan. These regimes were characterized by authoritarian leadership, aggressive nationalism, and militarism. They sought to expand their territories and challenge the existing international order.
Failure of the League of Nations: The League of Nations, an international organization established after World War I to promote peace and resolve disputes, was unable to effectively address the challenges and tensions of the interwar period. The failure of the League weakened the collective security system and allowed aggressive states to pursue their expansionist ambitions.
Appeasement Policy: The policy of appeasement, followed by some Western democracies, involved making concessions to aggressive regimes in an attempt to avoid conflict. This policy emboldened dictators like Adolf Hitler and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
Munich Agreement: The Munich Agreement of 1938, in which Britain, France, and Italy allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, is often cited as a key turning point on the road to war. It demonstrated the willingness of some European powers to appease Hitler and avoid confrontation, but ultimately failed to prevent further German aggression.
These factors, combined with other circumstances and events, created the conditions for the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.