What Caused the Second World War? Who Was to Blame?

Essay by sdepo04High School, 12th gradeA-, December 2002

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Britain and France on Germany declared war, 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...