Topic 7.6 Causes of World War II
Thematic Focus - Governance (GOV)
A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.
Learning Objective
Explain the causes and consequences of World War II.
Historical Developments
The causes of World War II included the unsustainable peace settlement after World War I, the global economic crisis engendered by the Great Depression, continued imperialist aspirations, and especially the rise to power of fascist and totalitarian regimes that resulted in the aggressive militarism of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.
Causes of WWII
Introduction
Prior to the second World War, the Great Depression enabled authoritarian leaders to rise and begin expansion. The Great Depression was an economic crisis that affected the both the Global North and the Global South caused a lot of people to lose faith in democracies and liberal economics like capitalism. Governments and political leaders began to take a more active role in economic life. Many of these governments in the world were influenced by socialist policies. However, the reason why WWII began needs further explaining because it was not just the policies and interventions that governments took due to the Great Depression that led to WWII. The rise of Authoritarian regimes that were militaristic, nationalistic and wanted to expand were also the root causes of World War II.
Prior to the second World War, the Great Depression enabled authoritarian leaders to rise and begin expansion. The Great Depression was an economic crisis that affected the both the Global North and the Global South caused a lot of people to lose faith in democracies and liberal economics like capitalism. Governments and political leaders began to take a more active role in economic life. Many of these governments in the world were influenced by socialist policies. However, the reason why WWII began needs further explaining because it was not just the policies and interventions that governments took due to the Great Depression that led to WWII. The rise of Authoritarian regimes that were militaristic, nationalistic and wanted to expand were also the root causes of World War II.
Militarism
While the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI, most historians argue that the treaty later caused WWII in Europe because of its harsh punishments against Germany. Germany had to reduce its military by over 99%, which humiliated the once powerful Germany. Adolf Hitler promised to rebuild the military and the idea that having an industrialized and effective military illustrates the strength and power of the German nation. Similarly, the Japanese government encouraged a militaristic ideology to its citizens, arguing the victories of their military brings honor to the entire nation.
While the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI, most historians argue that the treaty later caused WWII in Europe because of its harsh punishments against Germany. Germany had to reduce its military by over 99%, which humiliated the once powerful Germany. Adolf Hitler promised to rebuild the military and the idea that having an industrialized and effective military illustrates the strength and power of the German nation. Similarly, the Japanese government encouraged a militaristic ideology to its citizens, arguing the victories of their military brings honor to the entire nation.
Alliances
A new alliance emerged before WWII, the Axis Powers, which consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan. While Japan did not plan their military strategies with Germany or Italy, all agreed that they were in strong opposition against the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, China, & the United States). Thus, WWII starts off with large-scale attacks by the Axis Powers against the Allies (Japan invades China in 1937, Germany conquers France in 1939, Germany regularly attacks Britain after 1940, Germany invades Russia in 1941, and Japan attacks the U.S. at Pearl Harbor in 1942).
A new alliance emerged before WWII, the Axis Powers, which consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan. While Japan did not plan their military strategies with Germany or Italy, all agreed that they were in strong opposition against the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, China, & the United States). Thus, WWII starts off with large-scale attacks by the Axis Powers against the Allies (Japan invades China in 1937, Germany conquers France in 1939, Germany regularly attacks Britain after 1940, Germany invades Russia in 1941, and Japan attacks the U.S. at Pearl Harbor in 1942).
Imperialism
Both Germany and Japan wanted to expand their empires. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give its colonies to the Allied Powers as well as territory in Europe. Japan was forced to return the land they conquered in WWI back to China. Both empires wanted to expand in order to gain more resources for the military as well as land to grow agriculture for the nation. In 1937, Japan invaded China in the hope of expanding their empire throughout Asia. In 1939, the Nazis expanded the German Empire through military aggression, conquering areas across Europe and parts of northern Africa.
Both Germany and Japan wanted to expand their empires. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give its colonies to the Allied Powers as well as territory in Europe. Japan was forced to return the land they conquered in WWI back to China. Both empires wanted to expand in order to gain more resources for the military as well as land to grow agriculture for the nation. In 1937, Japan invaded China in the hope of expanding their empire throughout Asia. In 1939, the Nazis expanded the German Empire through military aggression, conquering areas across Europe and parts of northern Africa.
Nationalism
The new governments in Germany and Japan took nationalism to a new level by reinforcing the idea of racial superiority as part of their national identities. The Nazis claimed racially pure Germans or Aryans were the “master race” of the world. They believed Aryans were destined to control all areas they conquer. The Japanese argued they were the highest order of all Asians and how Japan should govern all of Asia without any influence from Western Europe. These ideas, accompanied with their imperialist expansion and militaristic mindset, made WWII inevitable for the Axis.
The new governments in Germany and Japan took nationalism to a new level by reinforcing the idea of racial superiority as part of their national identities. The Nazis claimed racially pure Germans or Aryans were the “master race” of the world. They believed Aryans were destined to control all areas they conquer. The Japanese argued they were the highest order of all Asians and how Japan should govern all of Asia without any influence from Western Europe. These ideas, accompanied with their imperialist expansion and militaristic mindset, made WWII inevitable for the Axis.