World War II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

World War II - Essay Example ond World War was really a continuation of the former and many of the causes of the Second World War are to be found in the resentment over and the unfinished agenda of the First World War. An event as catastrophic and disastrous, as a world war, cannot be the result of any single event. Like a volcano that is simmering, till the inner pressures cause it to erupt, so too the simmering discontent of the German people, finally resulted in the Second World War. During the months and years after the First World War, political and economic events like the treaty of Versailles, the great economic depression of 1929 and the rise of Nazism, and Hitler’s ambitions for German expansion were some of the causes of the Second World War. The humiliating terms of the treaty of Versailles whipped up feelings of anger and frustration among the Germans. The heads of the British and French governments bowed before the anger of their people. â€Å"If these things are hardships for Germany, they are hardships which Germany has brought upon herself.† (Clemenceau, 1919) was the sentiment of the allies. The German army and navy was reduced, the map of Europe was redrawn, causing Germany to lose large tracts of her land, to countries like France, Poland, Belgium, Denmark and Czechoslovakia; and Germany was held solely responsible for the hardships and misery caused to the rest of the world. As Hitler’s popularity grew in a country still smarting under the humiliation of World War I and embattled with economic problems, Hitler began to increase the size of the army, building up weapons and aircraft as well as his navy. â€Å"We are all proud that through Gods powerful aid we have become once more true Germans."( Hitler, 1933) he told his fellow countrymen, after he became Chancellor. Britain and France were aware of this buildup but did nothing hoping that this would prevent the spread of communism from Russia to the west. When German troops entered Rhineland in 1936, Hitler’s