The Second World War

The Second World War

Causes: - though invasion of Poland by Germany was the immediate causes for the out break of Second World War in 1339. The real causes were many:-

ü Treaty of Versailles

ü World Wide economic depression

ü Mussolini and Italian fascism

ü Rise of Nazi power in Germany

ü Policy of appeasement.

But still now debate is going on whether Nazi aggression or Anglo-French appeasement was responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War. Actually to millions of people in Europe during the 1920’s and 1930’s the dominant image of life was political instability, economic crisis, unemployment etc. Such

people were easily attracted towards fascist’s ideas. Hitler emerged as a leader out of this situation. He utilized the grievances of the small farmers, middle class in winning over support of itself. Thus by promising strong government the end of employment and by suppressing its opponents Hitler rose to power.

The main factor which helped the Nazi rise was humiliating terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The seeds of the Second World War were sown in the treaty of Versailles. The treaty was based on the spirit of revenge and Germany was forced to sign the treaty at the point of bayonet. She was deprived of her colonies, territories and natural resources. She was also burdened with reparation which was beyond her capacity to pay. Under the leadership of Hitler, Germany decided to repudiate the unjust treaty and prepared for a great trial of strength with victorious powers. During 1933-39, Hitler completely destroyed the democratic institutions at home and started the process to Nazify Europe. The decisive point was Hitler’s support to Mussolini’s Abyssinian adventure. The Spanish civil war cemented their friendship. By this time Hitler completed the German rearmament and re-militarization of Rhine land. Austria was annexed in 1938. Czechoslovakia was also conquered. The Polish Corridor was the issue which Hitler whipped up Germany’s ultra nationalistic sentiments. The Second World War German ultra nationalism thus became the basic causes for the war.

Aggressive policy of Japan was also responsible for the outbreak of war. In 1931 Japan attacked and captured Manchuria. She than captured a number of Chinese towns such a Hankow, Canton, Nanking, Shanghai etc. In this situation America would not tolerate any chance in the status quo in South-East Asia Japan captured indo-china. America then imposed an economic embargo on Japan and stopped export of steel and iron to Japan, which created great resentment in Japan. Japan entered with military alliance with Germany and Italy and signed a non-aggression pact with Soviet Russia. Japan regarded America as her enemy in the South East Asia, fortified by these entire pacts Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbors. As a result USA declared war against Japan.

The Appeasement policy followed by Britain and France was also responsible for the outbreak of war. It was the policy followed by Britain and France of avoiding war with aggressive powers such as Italy, Germany and Japan, by giving way to their demands, provided that they were not too reasonable. Following are the examples of appeasement policy followed by Britain and France:

1) When Japan attacked china in 1931 and captured Manchuria, England and France did nothing to check her imperialistic design. They wanted to use Japan to weaken the powers of China and Russia.

2) There was only half-hearted British action against the Italian invasion of Abyssinia.

3) No action was taken to check the German rearmament.

4) The Anglo-German Naval Agreement was signed without any consultation with France and Italy.

5) Although disturbed at the German re-occupation of the Rhine land, the French did not mobilize their troops. They were deeply divided and received no backing from the British, who were impressed by Hitler’s offer of 25 years of peace.

6) When civil war broke out in Spain, Italy and Germany openly helped General Franco. England and France did nothing to save the rightful government.

7) When Hitler occupied Austria in 1938, many in Britain saw it as the natural union of one Germany group to another.

8) Chamberlain should have backed the Czechoslovakia against Hitler's aggression. But at Munich, Chamberlain allowed Hitler to occupy Sudetenland.

It is said that ‘’success and the absence of resistance tempted Hitler to reach out further, to take bigger risk’’. He may not have had definite plans for war, but after the surrender at Munich, he was convinced that Britain and France would remain passive again. So he decided to gamble on war with Poland, there by starting the Second World War.