Introduction
The complex interplay of political and economic causes precipitated World War II. The separation between the Allies and the Weimar Republic government stems from the Treaty of Versailles’ harsh demand for reparations from Germany. As the German economy collapsed in 1929, democracy disillusioned people, and the leftist government began to endorse fascism as a solution (Yonkman 5).
German fascists were encouraged by the unwillingness of other countries to intervene or initiate a conflict in the wake of World War I’s destruction. Global tensions were high, yet World War II was inevitable. Therefore, WWII occurred because political leaders’ actions brought conflict throughout the interwar era.
Economic Causes
The first economic cause was “the unfair Treaty of Versailles,” which required Germany to hand over merchant ships, coal, and livestock to the countries that came out on top in World War I. Between 1919 and 1923, this factor contributed to out-of-control inflation. This led to uncontrollable inflation between 1919 and 1923 (Yonkman 44). Besides, the paralysis of industry and commerce led to a collapsed economy and increasing unemployment rates (Yonkman 44). It is highly concerning that all governments have employees demonstrating in the streets, an effect resulting from the United States practice.
Signs of a U.S. stock market meltdown emerged when the global economy improved. According to Yonkman (23), nations had concerted efforts to return to the more conservative tendencies of nineteenth-century liberalism after the crisis that terminated the war cycle before it subsided in the 1920s. The United States’ foreign policy had to gain the trust of neighboring countries. Therefore, it was crucial to work with the state, offer new ideas for economic revival, and search for a formula to overcome the exhausting and disastrous crisis.
Political Causes
Peace treaties were negotiated between nations after the First World War ended. Governments negotiated peace treaties, but they were inadequate and, for certain countries, unfair, leading to widespread discontent and a desire for vengeance (Sharp). The Treaty of Versailles is World War II’s most crucial political cause.
The unjust measures imposed by this treaty offended Germany, leading to conflict (Cashman and Robinson 120). The treaty’s unfairness united the German people in a common desire for vengeance, but their government lacked the authority to make it a reality until Hitler came to power. Adolf Hitler was the conductor and created a group known as the National Socialist, or NAZI, party (Yonkman 5).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Second World War is the defining moment of the 20th century. The United States and Western European nations established NATO to strengthen the collective defense, and the United Nations started to operate as an organization to prevent additional conflict. A state with a strong leader dictates the social order; people become the building blocks of the social order. This ideology promises to remake society in line with a single, all-encompassing truth, thus meeting the needs of people. Hence, those who feel alone or alienated feel more connected to society.
Works Cited
Cashman, Greg, and Leonard C. Robinson. An introduction to the causes of war: Patterns of interstate conflict from World War I to Iraq. Rowman & Littlefield, 2021.
Sharp, Alan. “The Paris Peace Conference and Its Consequences.” New Articles RSS, 2022. Web.
Yonkman, Michaela. “The Treaty of Versailles and the Rise of Nazism in Germany, 1918-1933.” (2021).