World War Ii and Adolf Hitler

Introduction

Adolf Hitler was the individual who was significantly responsible for World War II. Hitler, who was leading Germany, invaded Poland. As a result of this aggressive move, France and Britain felt unsafe, fearing that they too could be invaded by Germany at any time. Consequently, France and Britain declared war against Germany, marking the beginning of World War II. There were multiple causes that led to World War II, many of which were complex and interrelated.

Causes of World War II

Among the causes of World War II were Italian fascism in the 1920s, invasions of China in the 1930s, and especially the political takeover in 1933 of Germany by Hitler and his Nazi Party, which pursued an aggressive foreign policy. The Treaty of Versailles, signed at the end of World War I, was particularly harsh against Germany, which had lost the war. The treaty forced Germany to accept responsibility for the damages suffered by the Allies during the war, requiring Germany to pay a huge sum of money to them (Keynes, 1919).

Japanese Expansion

Before World War II, Japan was expanding rapidly. However, being an island nation, Japan did not have the resources to sustain its growth. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China in 1937 to acquire the resources needed to grow its empire (Pyle, 1996). This expansionist policy contributed to the global tensions that led to World War II.

Fascism and Dictatorships

Some countries were taken over by dictators who formed fascist governments. Spain was among the first to have a fascist government, ruled by a dictator named Franco. Subsequently, Mussolini took control over Italy. These dictators sought to expand their territories by searching for lands they could conquer. Ethiopia was invaded and taken over by Italy in 1935, not Germany as previously mentioned. Adolf Hitler would surpass Mussolini in his takeover of Germany.

Hitler and the Nazi Party

Germany eagerly wanted someone to turn around their economy and restore their power. This was the time when Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party rose to power. Hitler instilled hope in the Germans and was proclaimed the leader of Germany in 1934. He resented all the restrictions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler allied Germany with Italy and then focused on expanding the empire and restoring Germany's power. The first territory he annexed was Austria in 1938. When he saw that the League of Nations did not stop him, he proceeded to take over Czechoslovakia in 1939 (Shirer, 1960).

Appeasement and the Road to War

After World War I, European nations were cautious about engaging in another conflict. While Italy and Germany continued to attack their neighbors, Britain and France attempted to maintain peace, hoping to avoid another war. This policy of appeasement allowed Hitler to expand without immediate consequences. The complexity of these causes highlights that World War II was not instigated by a single individual. It resulted from the actions of various groups, events, incidents, and countries. However, Adolf Hitler's aggressive policies and expansionist ambitions played a massive role in triggering World War II.

References

Keynes, J. M. (1919). The Economic Consequences of the Peace. Harcourt, Brace and Howe.

Pyle, K. B. (1996). The Making of Modern Japan. Lexington Books.

Shirer, W. L. (1960). The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Simon & Schuster.