Causes of World War II: Treaty of Versailles to Appeasement
The Peace Treaties of World War I
Harsh conditions were imposed on the defeated countries, especially Germany, and some victorious countries were dissatisfied, as in the case of Italy. This generated a feeling of humiliation and frustration in these countries, increasing nationalist sentiment in the masses.
The Great Depression
The economic crisis impoverished many people, and millions of workers became unemployed. European nations applied protectionist measures and tried to gain access to new markets to escape this situation. This was even more complicated for the Germans, as they had to pay reparations after the Great War, slowing their recovery.
Rise of Fascist Regimes
Fascist parties that established totalitarian dictatorships in Germany and Italy emerged and rose to power. This was influenced by the economic depression, with thousands of poor, unemployed people with no prospects for the future, and the expansion of revanchist nationalism.
Militarism and Rearmament
One of the ideological principles of the Fascist powers was imperialist expansion. To achieve this, they needed to build powerful armies. In addition, the policy of rearmament helped stimulate economic growth. Nazi Germany organized powerful armed forces, disobeying the Treaty of Versailles on disarmament. Democratic countries rearmed, fearing another conflict.
Aggressive Foreign Policy
The aggressive speeches and defiant rearmament of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy were accompanied by an aggressive foreign policy. They wanted to end the international framework created by the Peace of Paris in 1919 and the League of Nations to follow their imperialist aspirations. They also wished to test their new weapons and tactics to defeat the democratic powers and the Soviet Union in a future conflict.
The Policy of Appeasement
Faced with these challenges from the Nazis and Fascists, the diplomatic response was to look for a compromise to prevent a new and devastating war. Violations of international agreements by Italy and Germany between 1933 and 1939 were therefore tolerated, and agreements were made that legitimized them.
Ideological Pillars of Fascism
- Antifeminism: Support for the patriarchy as the foundation of society. Women were an important symbol of society; they could have kids and were in charge of the house tasks and children.
- Xenophobic Ideas: Belief in the superiority of the race. The Nazi regime had a strong antisemitic component and blamed the Jewish people for Germany’s problems.
- Radical Nationalism: Symbols such as flags or slogans were important to demonstrate the superiority of the homeland.
- Exaltation of Youth: The Nazis were aware of kids’ education since they are future defenders of the regime.
Economic Responses to the Depression
- USA: Promotion of public works, subsidies for firms, more social welfare, creation of a plan called the New Deal.
- USSR: Remained outside the crisis.
- Germany: Cutting state expenditures, autarky.
- Italy: State control of banks, cutting state expenditures, autarky.
- Great Britain: Promotion of deflation, devaluation of the currency, which favored exports.