1. Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression: The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, imposed harsh economic sanctions and territorial losses on Germany, leading to widespread resentment and economic hardship among the German population. The subsequent economic collapse caused by the Great Depression further exacerbated these conditions and contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
2. Emergence of Nazism: The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in the 1930s played a pivotal role in Germany's aggression and subsequent entry into World War II. Hitler's ideology, based on extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and militarism, drove him to pursue aggressive expansionist policies.
3. Revanchism: The desire to regain territories and prestige lost in World War I was another significant factor. The Nazis used revanchist sentiment to justify their aggressive foreign policies and territorial claims.
4. Lebensraum: The Nazi ideology emphasized the need for "living space" (Lebensraum) for the German people. They believed that Germany needed to expand its territory in order to secure its resources, particularly in Eastern Europe.
5. Appeasement: The policy of appeasement pursued by Britain and France in response to German aggression contributed to the outbreak of war. By failing to effectively confront Hitler's expansionist policies, they emboldened him and gave him the impression that he could pursue his goals without facing serious consequences.
6. Remilitarization of Rhineland: In 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone under the Treaty of Versailles, in violation of international agreements. This act demonstrated Germany's disregard for international law and further eroded the credibility of the League of Nations.
7. Anschluss with Austria: In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria, uniting it with Germany under the Nazi regime. This action further emboldened Hitler and showed his growing power and influence in the region.
8. Sudetenland Crisis: Later in 1938, Germany annexed the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a predominantly German population, after issuing an ultimatum accompanied by military threats. The Munich Agreement, which allowed for the occupation of the Sudetenland, was a significant turning point that led to further aggression and the beginning of World War II.
These factors combined to create a volatile situation in Europe and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war in response.