Causes of World Wars: Ideologies and Non-Democratic Leaders
The Two World Wars Were Caused by a Variety of Reasons
One of those reasons was the different non-democratic or non-western ideologies that undoubtedly brought a lot of disagreement between many countries in Europe. To begin with, Russia, which was a monarchy ruled by a czar was overthrown in 1917 and as a result the Provisional government was created. A new government was formed, which intended to have democratic reforms. However, in what was called the October Revolution, the Bolshevik overthrew this government and established a new government based on communist ideologies fostered by Karl Marx. During the Civil War that Soviet Russia went through due to the constant fighting, the called War Communism was established by the Bolsheviks. This form of policy, especially economic, consisted of seizing banks, heavy industry, railroads, and grain. After the Civil War, Soviet Russia became the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Lenin, the main leader died shortly after, thus giving the way to Stalin. Stalin fought with the Axis Powers and then against them during WWII. The Soviet Union became the main Communist State of the World.
In Addition
It is seen how Spain and Italy changed their form of government from being a Monarchy to a Fascist state. In Italy, Benito Mussolini gets to power in 1922 as Prime Minister, but after roughly three years, he decided to establish a dictatorship and disregard the constitution. Mussolini became, thus the founder of fascism, which was adopted by his government; a government with the political attitude of giving full interest in economic, social, and military power to a dominant race or state lead by a single dominant leader. He used oppression and censorship through his secret police in order to keep freedom away from unwanted ideologies and possible opposition.
Moreover, It
Is necessary to consider Germany and its most memorable years of nationalism and fascism. After the end of World War I and the establishment of many democratic governments, there was an ideal that was very much spread throughout Europe. That was the idea that the democratic governments had won the war in order to make the world safe, peaceful and more democratic. German Monarchy was overthrown after the Allied Powers invaded most of the Central Powers Nations, thus bringing an end to the War. The Treaty of Versailles imposed economic sanctions on Germany as well as other countries that fought in the central powers. However, as democratic governments began to decline, and with the arrival of Adolf Hitler to power in Germany, it is seen how the area as a whole began to destabilize once again. Adolf Hitler’s strong views on statism, anti-individualism, elitism, racism, and nationalism brought all the Germans together and into the idea of abolishing the mandates of the Treaty of Versailles. As Hitler began to invade neighbor countries and British along with French leaders adopted policy of appeasement, the Reich acquired power and had a great influence throughout Europe. Italy joined alliance soon after the fact as well as the Japanese Empire. Hitler’s influence and strong views on fascism as well as his policies of pro-violence, anti-democracy, and anti-communism cost him many enemies, but also gave him some strong allies. The Nazi government used the Berlin Olympic games of 1936 to spread propaganda of the image of a new strong and united Nation. The world could not identify their racism, also known as anti-Semitism as well as German growing militarism because they were intelligent enough to mask all of these factors. Despite of all the destruction of property and infrastructure that happened during the First World War, Germany successfully showed the world, during the Olympics they hosted, that they were a new Nation capable of achieving good things and acquiring new power.
To Continue
Austria establishes a fascist state after the Austrian Civil War. In 1936, it is perceive how the Nazis violated the Treaty of Versailles by arming again the Rhineland, and also how the Italian fascists invaded Ethiopia. Along with that, the Soviet Union begins the Great Purge, which basically was a repression of the opposition. Both German and Italian forces get involved in the Spanish Civil War with the intention of bringing some influence and expanding their interest. After more invasions and the successful victory of the nationalistic movement in Spain, World War II takes place. This period of time is featured by one of many casualties, lack of balance of power caused by uprising non-democratic governments, and concessions by the already in power democratic governments.
History Has Shown
That democracies usually never fight against each other. This idea is strongly advocated by the theory of international relations, the Democratic Peace Theory. Certainly, there was a lot of conflict because of the unconformity by the people living in these non-democratic nations. Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Lenin, among other non-democratic leaders definitely brought a change in the politics of the 1930s, thus leading up to one of the bloodiest wars in the history of mankind. Of course the bloodshed did not end when the Reich fell because the Soviet Union still spread its communist and socialist ideals, also known as non-democratic, throughout Eastern Europe. However, it is very important not to forget that Hitler was the protagonist of this non-democratic group that caused so much damage to a lot of people.