The Causes of World War II Long Term

The Causes of World War II • • Long Term Causes: 1) Discontent about the Treaty of Versailles 2) Worldwide economic depression 3) Rise of totalitarian governments A. Axis Totalitarianism – desire to destroy democracy B. Axis Militarism - vast sums spent on war preparations; war a glorious adventure; death for the Fatherland the highest honor C. Axis Nationalism - Japan, Italy, and Germany destined to rule over “lesser peoples” D. Axis Imperialism - lacked land resources; were “have-not” nations

The Causes of World War II (cont’d) • • • Subsidiary Causes of World War II A. Failure of Appeasement Neville Chamberlain – Final application Munich Conference B. Failure of Collective Security - democratic nations shrank from any military action; US neutral; UK & FR delay a firm alliance until 1939 Note: USSR urged collective security (fear of Nazi Germany); democratic nations reluctant: C. American Neutrality Legislation - no help to “ill- equipped” victims of Axis; no US intervention to check Axis

AJP Taylor & WWII • • • 1961: Argued Hitler should not shoulder sole or major responsibility for the war Claimed Hitler was a typical German statesman pursuing typical German ends; simply took advantage of situations (not evil) Hitler did not want war in 1939 (accidental) Functionalists: Hitler NOT in control of all Intentionalists: Hitler in CONTROL; (Most historians) German FP a refelction of his goals

AJP Taylor & WWII • • WWI had neither satisfied nor crushed Germany’s expansionist ambitions Taylor blamed the Versailles peacemakers; claimed WWII was “implicit” since the settlement left Germany embittered but failed to reduce its latent power