Dbq 21 Causes Of Ww2 Essay

DBQ 21: Causes of World War II Essay In 1939, the world’s greatest and most powerful nations were launched into World War II, also known as the worst war in modern history. The Second Great War included the central powers and the allied powers. The central powers, which included the countries of Germany, Italy, and Japan, committed belligerent and combative actions which opposed the League of Nations and democratic countries. In opposition to the central powers, the allied powers included the countries of Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States during the war. The world was plunged into World War II in 1939 due to the ineffective response towards aggression. One act of aggression that was considerably significant was

For example, Adolph Hitler had an extreme determination to create the perfect Aryan society, and then to conquer other countries. He had an extreme desire to continue to expand until Germany was the ultimate world power. Hitler stated in his novel Mein Kampf, “Never will the German nation have the moral right to enter into colonial politics until, at least, it includes its own sons within a single state” (Document 1). This quotation reveals Hitler’s charismatic quality, with him stating that unity is essential so Germany will have the power to dominate and take control of other countries. Hitler’s desire to conquer contributed to the start of World War II because many democratic countries, such as Great Britain and France, appeased Germany and pacified Hitler’s demands. In addition to this, Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935. Emperor Haile Selassie asked the League of Nation (including the British Empire, France, and the Soviet Union) for assistance in ending the invasion. The League of Nations response was ineffective, and Haile Selassie responded by stating, “God and history will remember your judgement… It is us today. It will be you tomorrow (Document 2). This quotation also shows how although the League of Nations was formed post World War I to support defenseless countries and help prevent war, the organization ended up doing the complete opposite in order to appease

Chamberlain suggested that appeasement was the only way that peace could be attained in Europe. He believed that “settling differences” was the most adequate way to deal with aggressors (Document 5). Furthermore, British historian A.J.P. Taylor concluded that appeasement was, at the time, the only logical policy that could provide relief. He stated in his novel The Origins of the Second World War, “Can any sane man suppose… that other countries could have intervened by armed forces in 1933 to overthrow Hitler when he had come to power by constitutional means and was apparently supported by a large majority of the German people. The Germans put Hitler in power” (Document 8). This quotation reveals how Taylor believes that appeasement was the most convenient policy because Hitler had the support and unity in Germany that was required for his ideas to flourish. Overall, although appeasement may have seemed like a relatively beneficial policy, it was in fact a negative and futile