In the course of history, it is sometimes difficult to define monumental moments and what exactly caused those moments. Usually, it is not until many years later that specific actions and events in history become essential and highly influential pieces of the larger picture. Then it is possible to evaluate the causes of these crucial moments. It is the same with World War II. Looking back generally, it is easy to pinpoint key moments as Hitler initially swept through Europe with little resistance from European powers Britain and France. Similarly, it is possible to identify an increase in Japanese aggression as they conquered Asian colonies. Regardless of the ease of identifying these moments, it is still sometimes difficult to determine the
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In an isolated system, the individual actions and evidences of nationalism, colonialism, and communism may fail to yield war, but as global interaction and tension grew, so did the probability of war because of contrasting views in these three areas. The shifting scene of governments around the world gave a foretaste to some of the military and political actions that would follow. Prior to World War II, liberal democratic government briefly became popular before being converted into Fascist and Communist governments, particularly in Italy, Germany, and the USSR (Class Notes, 10/26/15). As Hitler rose to power in 1933 and Japan and Italy increased in strength by invading Manchuria and Ethiopia respectively, an alliance of sorts began to form and was solidified in 1937 between these three nations called the Anti-Comintern Pact. Subsequently, Japan invaded China (1937-1938) and Germany overtook both Austria and Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia (1938) with increased resolve to expand their territory due to nationalist and idealistic views (Strayer, Ways of the World, p. 636-650). The desire for colonialism resulting from a greater sense of nationalistic pride can be seen in these …show more content…
Following World War I, the cultures and societies of losing nations were diminished. As new Fascist governments rekindled nationalistic ideals, equality was not achieved, but a reversal of the pendulum occurred. As the Axis powers expanded their respective empires, invigorated by this patriotic fervor, German, Italian, and Japanese culture and society pervaded in the newly conquered territory. A singularly dominant jingoistic mindset was established and this is evidenced in the Holocaust and its atrocities. Because of nationalism, Hitler was able to conquer nations and peoples with the support of his
In an isolated system, the individual actions and evidences of nationalism, colonialism, and communism may fail to yield war, but as global interaction and tension grew, so did the probability of war because of contrasting views in these three areas. The shifting scene of governments around the world gave a foretaste to some of the military and political actions that would follow. Prior to World War II, liberal democratic government briefly became popular before being converted into Fascist and Communist governments, particularly in Italy, Germany, and the USSR (Class Notes, 10/26/15). As Hitler rose to power in 1933 and Japan and Italy increased in strength by invading Manchuria and Ethiopia respectively, an alliance of sorts began to form and was solidified in 1937 between these three nations called the Anti-Comintern Pact. Subsequently, Japan invaded China (1937-1938) and Germany overtook both Austria and Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia (1938) with increased resolve to expand their territory due to nationalist and idealistic views (Strayer, Ways of the World, p. 636-650). The desire for colonialism resulting from a greater sense of nationalistic pride can be seen in these …show more content…
Following World War I, the cultures and societies of losing nations were diminished. As new Fascist governments rekindled nationalistic ideals, equality was not achieved, but a reversal of the pendulum occurred. As the Axis powers expanded their respective empires, invigorated by this patriotic fervor, German, Italian, and Japanese culture and society pervaded in the newly conquered territory. A singularly dominant jingoistic mindset was established and this is evidenced in the Holocaust and its atrocities. Because of nationalism, Hitler was able to conquer nations and peoples with the support of his