Origins and Key Events of World War II
Origins of World War II
The origins of World War II can be found in the Treaty of Versailles, which caused feelings of humiliation among the Germans and Italians, who refused to accept the restrictions imposed. This led to a desire for revenge and the rise of dictatorial political systems that favoured a new war to gain economic and political dominance in Europe.
Hostile Actions in the 1930s
In the 1930s, the authoritarian states began a series of hostile attacks against other countries:
- Asia: Japan occupied Manchuria and invaded China.
- Africa: Italy took possession of Ethiopia (extending its colonial empire).
- Europe: Italy invaded Albania.
Spanish Civil War Involvement
Italy and Germany took part in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), supplying the insurgent forces with soldiers and weapons, while France and Great Britain chose not to get involved (Non-Intervention Pact).
German Expansion Policy
Germany developed a policy of territorial expansion (Third Reich). In 1936, in violation of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler militarised the Rhineland. In 1938, Germany occupied Austria and the Sudetenland.
The Munich Conference (1938)
The Munich Conference (1938), convened by Hitler, ended with the democracies accepting Hitler’s promises to expand no further.
Formation of Alliances
In the late 1930s, the following alliances were formed:
- 1936: The Rome-Berlin Axis was formed, which was renewed in 1939 under the name of the Pact of Steel.
- 1936: The Anti-Comintern Pact* was signed, which allied Japan and Germany. (*Anti-Communist International Pact)
- 1939: After Hitler had claimed the Danzig Corridor, France and Britain committed to Poland to respond militarily to an eventual German occupation.
- 1939: The German-Soviet Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) was signed, after which Stalin began the invasion of Poland.
In response, the Allies (France and Great Britain) declared war on Germany, which marked the beginning of World War II.
End of the Pacific War
The President of the US, Harry Truman, took the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to get Japan to surrender.
Besides, it was an excuse to test new weapons that had never been used before. The result of the bombings was destruction on a scale never previously witnessed.
The conflict involved independent states and colonies from five continents, and military operations were not limited to Europe but also took place in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
An Ideological Battle
The weapons used were not only material but also ideological. Mobilising people’s consciences was very important.
The Allied campaigns focused on upholding democratic values against the dictatorships. The Axis powers, especially Germany, advocated the superiority of the Aryan race and promoted the idea of Jews and Communists as the enemy.
Economic Exploitation
The Germans wanted to impose the new Nazi order on the whole of Europe.
The Nazi occupation plundered raw materials, agricultural products, and industrial goods, and exploited workers.
The Germans demanded an equity stake in foreign companies, controlled food and mining production, and engaged in forced confiscations, without taking into account the needs of the general population.
During German occupation, the introduction of a regime of violence and terror was essential for military and political domination. The German SS and the Gestapo were instruments used for this purpose.