AMSCO 7.6

Causes of World War II

• Essential Theme: What were the causes and consequences of World War II?

• Historical Context:

  • Quote by Benito Mussolini: "It is blood which moves the wheels of history." (1914)

Overview of Causes

• The primary causes of World War II are rooted in the unresolved issues stemming from World War I, specifically:

  • Economic instability in Europe after WWI, resulting in civil unrest particularly in Italy and Germany.

  • The rise of fascism in Italy linked to economic downturn after WWI.

  • The emergence of Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party in 1922

  • Promises: Renewal of the Italian economy and establishment of a new Italian empire in the Mediterranean.

  • The punitive measures from the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany.

  • Economic and political strains along with territorial loss fostered resentment among the German population.

  • Influence of Italian fascism spread to Germany, contributing to the ideology adopted by Hitler and the Nazis.

The Path to War

• Introduction of Adolf Hitler amidst broad economic and political trends:

  • Ideology focused on Aryan supremacy and vision for a grand German civilization, leading to the persecution of Jews and minorities, and land acquisitions.

Rise of Nazism

• Post-defeat in 1918, Germany transitioned from a monarchy to the Weimar Republic:

  • The Republic was perceived as weak under the Treaty of Versailles:

  • Imposed reparations in billions.

  • Disbandment of the military.

• Popularity of the Weimar Republic declined amidst the Great Depression:

  • Resulted in high unemployment and disillusionment, particularly among WWI veterans.

  • Shift in support towards right-wing parties promising decisive action.

Hitler's Ascendancy

• Hitler's ideologies laid out in his book, Mein Kampf

  • His extreme anti-Semitic views were articulated while imprisoned post a failed coup in 1924.

  • The Nazis gained power legally, performing well in 1932 elections.

• Appointment as Chancellor in early 1933:

  • Paul von Hindenburg, the President, invited Hitler to form a government.

• Following Hindenburg’s death in 1934:

  • Hitler consolidated power, declaring himself Chancellor and later President.

Manipulation and Control

• Use of fear and manipulation:

  • Staged events, such as the burning of the Reichstag, to justify outlawing opposition parties.

• Promotion of ultranationalism and scientific racism:

  • Claims of Aryan racial superiority.

  • Hostility directed towards Jews and other minority groups: Slavs, communists, Roma, and LGBTQ+.

• Justification for a ‘pure’ German nation through the elimination of perceived corrupting influences.

Nuremberg Laws (1935)

• Legislative actions aiming to target Jews:

  • Laws forbidden marriage between Jews and gentiles.

  • Withdrawal of citizenship and marginalization of Jewish society.

• Shock among assimilated German Jews facing discrimination.

Formation of Axis Powers

• Strategic alliances for Lebensraum (living space):

  • Military pact with Fascist Italy in October 1936 (Rome-Berlin Axis).

  • Alliance with Japan via the Anti-Comintern Pact against communism.

• Creation of Axis Powers encompassing Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Escalation of Anti-Jewish Campaign

• Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938):

  • Organized riots against Jews led to significant unrest and destruction:

  • 90+ Jews killed, thousands of synagogues and shops vandalized, 30,000 Jews arrested into concentration camps.

Nazi Germany’s Aggressive Militarism

• Breach of the Treaty of Versailles to expand the military:

  • 1935: Establishment of a German air force.

  • Introduction of conscription for army expansion.

• Occupation of the Rhineland (March 7, 1936):

  • Violation of the treaty met with weak international backlash.

Failure of the Policy of Appeasement

• British perception of Hitler as a counter to communism:

  • Reluctance to engage in conflict led to pacification strategies.

• Support for Spanish Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War as a signal of Germany's militaristic intentions.

German Expansion and Aggression

• Austrian Anschluss (March 1938):

  • Utilization of pressure to incorporate Austria into the Third Reich.

• Czechoslovakia and Sudetenland Conflict:

  • Hitler’s demands led to a Munich Agreement in September 1938 allowing annexation in return for non-expansion.

  • This encouraged further aggression leading to full invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Conflict Over Poland

• Pursuit of Danzig port cited as a historical claim:

  • Just a pretext for invasion.

• End of appeasement policy by Britain:

  • Establishment of protective agreements with Poland.

• German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact (August 23, 1939):

  • Negotiations resulted in partitioning of Poland details.

• Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939):

  • Claim of Polish aggression as a pretext.

  • Triggered declarations of war from Britain and France, marking the official start of World War II.

Summary of Causes of World War II

• Diplomatic Causes:

  • Imbalance of the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Failures stemming from appeasement and League of Nations.

  • Rise of global depression.

• Economic Factors:

  • Strains from the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Militarism in Japan and Germany with Hitler's ascendance.

Japan's Expansion in Asia

• Historical aggression leading to World War II in Asia:

  • Invasion of Manchuria (1931).

  • Full-scale invasion of China by 1937 following fragmented incidents.

Key Terms by Theme

• Government:

  • Important figures: Adolf Hitler, Neville Chamberlain.

  • Political entities: Weimar Republic, Sudetenland, Danzig.

  • Policies enacted: Nuremberg Laws, Lebensraum.

  • Alliances: Rome-Berlin Axis, Anti-Comintern Pact, Axis Powers, German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.

• Cultural Beliefs and Ideas:

  • Works: Mein Kampf, concepts of scientific racism, anti-Semitism.

  • Notions of Aryans and appeasement.

• Social Events:

  • Significant events: Kristallnacht, Anschluss, Munich Agreement, establishment of the Third Reich.