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War was declared by Britain and France on Germany, September 1939. World War II lasted for six years killing millions; injuring and traumatizing many more. Two decades earlier, World War I had taken place also killing, injuring and traumatizing millions. How was it that even with the creation of the Treaty of Versailles aiming to limit Germany's power and prevent another war; twenty years later Europe was once again plunged into chaos.
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party with their aggressive policies and actions, in my opinion, are to blame for the war. However, many others are responsible for allowing Hitler and Germany to be in this position and infact, the Treaty of Versailles, aiming to prevent another war, had a huge effect on Hitler coming to power in Germany and achieving a position of power from which a war could take place. Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. In 1919 he joined and took over the party later to be known as the 'Nazi' party. By 1933, due to several reasons, Hitler was able to make his party the largest in Germany and also very cleverly change the German constitution so that he could become dictator of Germany. Hitler was fiercely patriotic and believed the German race to be far superior to any others especially those to the East.
Like many others, Hitler was outraged with the Treaty of Versailles which he felt was extremely unfair and unjust. He aimed to completely overturn the Treaty which would restore German pride and make Germany strong once again; it would also unite all German people together in the then split up country of Germany. As a fascist Hitler despised the communism of Russia in the East and furthermore intended to 'smash' it and take land to the East for 'lebensraum' (living space). Hitler was a very aggressive leader who would turn to violence if he did not get what he wanted. He once said: "Our motto shall be 'if you will not be a German, I will bash your skull in'"! His whole foreign policy from coming to power seems to be focused on preparing for a war.
In October 1933, soon after coming to be dictator of Germany, Hitler showed his contempt for the Treaty of Versailles by withdrawing from the League of nations which also showed his lack of desire for peace. At the same time he also withdrew from the disarmament conference again showing peace was not a big priority for him. Infact he straight away, against the Treaty of Versailles, began to build up Germany's army, navy and airforce (Luftwaffe), spending a huge proportion of Germany's income on the military; in 1935 Hitler introduced conscription. Hitler also, chiefly through propaganda, attempted to increase Germany's birth rate; perhaps preparing for a much later war or great losses. He also started the 'Hitler Youth' where young boys were indoctrinated with Nazi ideas and trained to fight and accept war. Hitler thought Germany had lost W.
W. I as they had to rely on other countries for war materials and this is why he wanted to achieve autarky (self-sufficiency) in Germany. His introduction of the four year plan seems to us to be an obvious way of Hitler saying he wanted a war. The plan aimed to make Germany self-sufficient in war materials such as steel, rubber and oil. Infact, the amount of money invested into the industry and military meant Germany needed a war to stop its economy from collapsing (one can rape a country of its materials once it has been conquered). Hitler taking the Rhineland and annexing of the Sudetenland, although aggressive, was reasonable as both contained mainly Germans.
His 'pressurised' take over of Czechoslovakia however was a lot different as it contained few Germans. It was not a reversal of the Treaty of Versailles but Hitler's first strive for Lebensraum. The final straw was Hitler's 'Blitzkrieg' (lightning war) of Poland. France and Britain thought that Hitler had overstepped the line in his take over of Czechoslovakia, so they stated that they would stand by Poland in case of war.
Hitler wrongly thought that this was an idle threat so attacked, and thus, W. W. II was declared. Although France and Britain declared war I think we can blame Hitler.
He was the aggressor who at all times seemed to be preparing and encouraging a war. However, Hitler never wanted a war with Britain and France and we must, as well as blame, address the issue of responsibility which many hold. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Britain, France, America and Italy in 1919; Germany was only invited to listen to their fate being discussed. In the treaty Germany: lost lots of land including West Prussia, North Schleswig and Danzig as well as the Saarland for 15 years and the Rhineland demilitarised.
had their army limited to 100, 000 men no tanks or aircraft and only 6 battleships had to accept responsibility and blame for the war and thus: had to pay 6, 600 million dollars in reparations Germany as the losers of the war had to accept the Treaty. It made their once strong country weak and responsible for a war which seemed to have killed millions of their own men in vain. It made the Germans angry and without pride. From anger comes retaliation and revenge which of course was not possible then. Their resentment made Hitler's aim of reversing the Treaty much more appealing as it was what many German's wanted to restore their country's strength and national pride. The harshness of the Treaty later led to other countries feeling guilty so they were more lenient with appeasement and giving 'weak' Germany the benefit of the doubt.
The allies demanded a democratic government (the Weimar Republic) be set up in Germany, but forcing it to sign the Treaty was in effect 'stabbing it in the back'. It meant people resented the democracy which had signed the Treaty. It also gave Hitler a good subject for antidemocratic propaganda which helped to get him elected. Finally, the reparations caused a BIG international problem to be even worse in Germany Germany couldn't keep up with her reparation payments to France so France invaded the Ruhr. Germany called a policy of passive resistance (no one works! ). So with this loss of her workers' income the only way Germany could pay its workers was by printing more money.
This caused hyperinflation which led to 'the paper the money was made of being worth more than its face value'. America offered the 'Dawes and Young Plan' to help stabilise Germany's economy. This was lots of short-ter...
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