The world was plunged into World War II due to a complex of factors, including but not limited to territorial ambitions, and economic instability because of fascists ideological fervor, with Japan, Italy and Germany emerging as key aggressors. However, collective security holds promise as an effective response to aggression, if all countries commit. An ambitious need for expansion caused tensions to rise in Europe and Asia leading to the commencement of World War I. Following Hitler’s seizure of Austria, Winston Churchill “asked that Britain, together with France and other powers, guarantee the security of Czechoslovakia” (doc 6). These nations did not oblige with what Winston Churchill requested. The failure of these political leaders to take …show more content…
Many people believed that the resolution of the Munich Agreement would preserve peace and terminate any thoughts of a world war, the agreement only fueled Hitler's aspirations to expand his growing empire. Many celebrated the avoidance of immediate conflict in Europe, but the consequences of the Munich Agreement were terrible causing Germany to fully take control of Czechoslovakia (breaking the Munich agreement) which in turn led to the war to commence. These events show what the consequences were of appeasing aggressive expansionist rules, which ultimately paved the way for the outbreak of World War I. A need for a powerful and dominant country for these powerhouses was caused by an urge to become what they once …show more content…
In Germany, Adolf Hitler decided to send troops into the Rhineland, which went against what constraints were given to them in the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler decided to do this in order to “mark the close of the struggle for German equality status and with that re-won equality the path is now clear for Germany’s return to European collective cooperation.” (doc 3). Germany’s decision to do this was met with international shame, mostly with France. France appealed to the League of Nations to address Germany’s violation of the treaty of Versailles. Similarly in Italy, economic instability led to social unrest. The people of Italy needed a new leader, which led to the rise of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. A great depression hit Italy in the 1930’s, which caused many factories and businesses to be closed. “Mussolini searched for ways to build a new ‘Roman Empire’ and distract his people from hardship” (page 7). Mussolini decided to invade Abyssinia in order to do so. His aggression was unchecked as the league of nations gave only moral condemnation. Many countries continued to trade with Italy even after the league of nations issued trade sanctions. The league did nothing to support Abyssinia. These actions and aggression by fascist leaders were born from economic instability throughout their countries. Collective security is an effective and vital approach in