SETTING THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER WAR

World War II was one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, resulting in the loss of millions of lives and ravaging entire nations. The myriad of causes that led up to the war were both complex and multifaceted, originating from various economic, political, and ideological factors that contributed to the global climate of tension, aggression, and mistrust. In this essay, we will delve more deeply into the causes of World War II, exploring the intricate web of events and circumstances that ultimately led to one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed in 1919, remains one of the most pivotal events that set the stage for World War II. The treaty punished Germany severely for its role in World War I, imposing harsh financial reparations, limits on military capacity, and territorial losses, including the cession of land to Poland. The humiliating terms of the treaty made Germany feel victimized, helpless, and angry, driven by a sense of injustice and humiliation which fueled the rise of nationalist movements that sought to rectify the perceived wrongdoings. The Treaty of Versailles created a fertile environment for the rise of extremist factions in Germany and the birth of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. Winston Chruchill wrote that "Once Hitler's Germany had been allowed to rearm without active interference by the Allies and former associated Powers, a second World War was almost certain." (Churchill 1948, 170)

The causes of World War II were complex and layered, originating from a multitude of economic, political, and ideological factors. The aftermath of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles created the perfect breeding ground for the rise of nationalist sentiment, extremism, and militarism. The rise of totalitarian regimes in Germany, Italy and Japan and Japan's military expansionism led to international tensions and conflicts that ultimately led to the global conflict. The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was another crucial factor that contributed to the rise of totalitarianism and authoritarianism across the globe. The economic crisis caused widespread poverty, unemployment, and social unrest, which led many people to question the effectiveness of liberal democracy. With a sense of disillusionment and mistrust, many nations began to embrace extremist ideologies and authoritarian leaders as a means of achieving stability and economic prosperity.

The collapse of democracy in Germany in 1933 gave rise to the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, who swept into power on a wave of nationalist sentiment and promises of national renewal. The Nazis' aggressive policies reflected their extremist ideologies of racial purity, anti-Semitism, and expansionism. They aimed to create a utopian society by eliminating all that was deemed inferior, including Jews, homosexuals, Roma, communists, and people with disabilities. Hitler's aim of expanding the German empire by acquiring "Lebensraum," or living space, for the German people, led him to annex Austria, Czechoslovakia, and eventually Poland.

Similarly, in Italy, Benito Mussolini's fascist ideology gradually took root, leading to the establishment of a regime that aimed to revive ancient Roman glory and expand its influence in Europe and Africa. Mussolini's ambitions eventually led to an invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, further destabilizing the delicate balance of power in Europe and propelling the world towards war.

Japan's aggression in Asia also played a significant role in triggering the Second World War. Japan began its military expansion in the 1930s, with a series of invasions and annexations that aimed to establish its dominance over the region. The Second Sino-Japanese War, which began in 1937, resulted in the occupation of large parts of China, and Japan's actions alarmed the world, leading to international condemnation and increasing tensions between Japan and the Western powers.

GERMANY INVADES POLAND

The invasion of Poland was a turning point for Hiter's new Germany and Europe. Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and Slovakia jointly attacked the Republic of Poland, marking the beginning of World War II. The German invasion began on 1 September 1939, just a week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and one day after the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union had approved the pact.

The invasion was well-coordinated, with German forces launching a three-pronged assault from the north, south, and west. Slovak military forces also advanced alongside the Germans, further adding to the Polish defence's woes. As the Wehrmacht advanced, Polish forces had no option but to withdraw from their forward bases close to the Germany-Poland border and to more established defence lines.

Polish forces hoped to await expected support and relief from France and the United Kingdom as they prepared for a long defence of the Romanian Bridgehead. However, by mid-September, after the disastrous Battle of the Bzura, the Germans had gained an undisputed advantage. The Polish forces, without support from their allies, withdrew to the southeast, where they awaited what they thought would be a long and bitter defence. What they got instead was yet another punch to the gut when the Soviet Red Army invaded Eastern Poland. This territory beyond the Curzon Line fell into the Soviet "sphere of influence" as per the secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, rendering the Polish plan of defence entirely obsolete.

The Polish government confronted a two-front war, and their defence of the Romanian Bridgehead was no longer feasible. They had no option but to order the emergency evacuation of all their troops to neutral Romania. On 6 October, following the Polish defeat at the Battle of Kock, the Germans and the Soviets had full control over Poland. This marked the end of the Second Polish Republic, although Poland never formally surrendered.

In the aftermath of the invasion, the Germans directly annexed western Poland and the former Free City of Danzig and placed the remaining block of territory under the administration of the newly established General Government. The Soviet Union incorporated its newly-acquired areas into its constituent Byelorussian and Ukrainian republics and immediately commenced a campaign of Sovietization.

The invasion of Poland led Britain and France to declare war on Germany on 3 September. However, their aid to Poland was meagre at best, and the Poles felt betrayed by their Western allies. The lack of direct help from Britain and France caused a rift between the two alliances and further weakened the position of the UK and France in Europe. - Scott Lyons

Primary Sources

Churchill, Winston. The Second World War: The Gathering Storm. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.

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Ferguson, Niall. The War of the World: Twentieth-century Conflict and the Descent of the West. New York: Penguin Group USA, 2006.

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McDonough, Frank. The Hitler Years: Triumph, 1933-1939. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2021.

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