Why Did WWII Start Just 21 Years After the End of WWI?

The end of World War I in 1918 set the stage for World War II through a series of political, economic, and social consequences that destabilized Europe and sowed the seeds of conflict. The Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919 was one of the most significant outcomes of WWI, imposing harsh penalties on Germany.

Political and Economic Consequences

The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe penalties on Germany, not only redrawing borders and dismantling empires but also placing the entire blame for the war squarely on Germany. Demanding reparations in the amount of around 132 billion gold marks (roughly 33 billion at the time), Germany faced significant economic hardships. The country faced hyperinflation in the early 1920s, decimating the savings of its middle class and creating widespread social unrest.

Faith in the Weimar Republic

As the economy faltered, so did faith in the Weimar Republic, the democratic government established after the war. Disillusionment with democracy opened the door for extremist political movements, particularly the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) led by Adolf Hitler. Hitler capitalized on the resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles, promising to restore Germany's former glory, rebuild its military, and reclaim lost territories.

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes and Nationalism

The rise of totalitarian regimes in other countries further exacerbated tensions in Europe. In Italy, Benito Mussolini established fascism, promoting nationalism and militarism. Similarly, in Japan, expansionist policies began to take root as the nation sought to assert its dominance in Asia. These ideologies often collided with the principles laid out by the League of Nations, which was formed after WWI to promote peace and cooperation but proved ineffective in maintaining stability.

The Great Depression and Economic Distress

The global economic crisis of the late 1920s and early 1930s, known as the Great Depression, intensified economic distress worldwide. Countries turned inward, focusing on nationalist policies that undermined international cooperation. As economies faltered, they turned increasingly to militarism and expansion as solutions, leading to conflicts such as Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

Germany’s Repression and the Policy of Appeasement

By the mid-1930s, Germany began rearming and violating the Treaty of Versailles, which went largely unchecked by European powers. The policy of appeasement, epitomized by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's approach toward Hitler, allowed Nazi Germany to annex Austria and demand the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia without facing significant resistance. This emboldened Hitler, who saw it as a green light to pursue further territorial expansion.

The Outbreak of World War II

The culmination of these tensions occurred on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France, having been unwilling to confront Hitler earlier, declared war on Germany two days later, marking the official start of World War II. The legacy of the Treaty of Versailles and the economic and political instability it created played a significant role in setting the stage for the outbreak of World War II just 21 years after the end of WWI.

Conclusion

The end of World War I and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Versailles created a series of political, economic, and social consequences that led to the outbreak of World War II. The harsh penalties imposed on Germany, the rise of extremist political movements, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, and the policy of appeasement all contributed to the eventual start of World War II.