To what extent can Hitler and his foreign policy be blamed for the outbreak of World War two?
The outbreak of World War II on September 3rd 1939 occurred due to numerous factors. These causes include the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, the failure of the League of Nations linked to the isolation of the US, appeasement introduced by the British Prime Minister in the year 1937 and the Nazi-Soviet Pact signed between Hitler and Stalin on the 28th of August 1938 . Hitlers foreign policy had a huge impact on the outbreak of World War II because of its expansionism policy and the fact that Hitler wanted a German Reich. Hitlers other aims consisted of revenge for the Treaty of Versailles, a rearmament and he wanted to obtain Lebensraum for his Aryan population. All these points play a role for the outbreak of the war but some of them are more essential than others.
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on the 28th of June 1919 , was very well known for its harshness. In article 231 of this treaty Germany was forced to accept the War guilt of the First World War . This meant that Germany had to take complete responsibility for the war and its damages although they werent the only country involved in this war. The Treaty also obliged Germany to pay a sum of 11.3 billions pounds for reparation . On top of all this Germany lost most of its land and was forced to have an army of only 100,000 men . Of course Germany reaction towards this unfairness was disastrous and volatile. No wonder Hitler, being a patriotic man, wanted to tear this treaty up with this bear hands. The Germans were maltreated and accused for total fault. All Germans were angry at the ministers who had signed such a torturous pact and all wanted revenge just like Hitler. This accord was not made for peace but for provocation. That is why Hitler ceased his chance to demolish it and start a new war.
Another factor that caused the outbreak of the war was appeasement introduced by Neville Chamberlain. This policy stated that instead of starting a war one should negotiate, come to agreements and make
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on the 28th of June 1919 , was very well known for its harshness. In article 231 of this treaty Germany was forced to accept the War guilt of the First World War . This meant that Germany had to take complete responsibility for the war and its damages although they werent the only country involved in this war. The Treaty also obliged Germany to pay a sum of 11.3 billions pounds for reparation . On top of all this Germany lost most of its land and was forced to have an army of only 100,000 men . Of course Germany reaction towards this unfairness was disastrous and volatile. No wonder Hitler, being a patriotic man, wanted to tear this treaty up with this bear hands. The Germans were maltreated and accused for total fault. All Germans were angry at the ministers who had signed such a torturous pact and all wanted revenge just like Hitler. This accord was not made for peace but for provocation. That is why Hitler ceased his chance to demolish it and start a new war.
Another factor that caused the outbreak of the war was appeasement introduced by Neville Chamberlain. This policy stated that instead of starting a war one should negotiate, come to agreements and make
Bibliography: Primary Sources:Low, David (1933) The DoormatSecondary Sources:De Marco, Neil (1987) The World This Century Harper Collins, London Pg 125Morris, Terry, Murphy, Derrick (2000) Europe 1870-1991 Harper Collins, London Pg 330Appeasement http://www.johndclare.net/EII3.htmNazi-Soviet Pact http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSnazipact.htmTreaty of Versailles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles#Treaty_terms