Causes Of Ww2

The end of the first world war was not as fulfilling as one might have initially thought. The so called “War to end all wars” as stated by Margaret MacMillen, was just a ripple before the tidal wave. World War I was successful only at forming new problems and expanding others. Firstly, WWI was caused by Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, Industrialism, and Alliances that were governing powerful countries across the world. These drove the globe into its first World War and in return led to World War II as well. Secondly, the Treaty of Versailles, as established by the League of Nations, intended to make Germany pay reparations for the war. This did not go as planned, as it led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Immediately …show more content…
Additionally, rising tensions due to Japan wanting to expand and isolate its trade system caused for America and European countries to react to the potential loss of an extensive trade system. Finally, German anxiety being built up in Europe, was creating an inevitable World War II. This provides a perfect example to which the extent of World War II was just a continuation of problems produced before and after World War I. The heavy hitters that caused World War I to begin were nationalism, imperialism, militarism, industrialism, and alliances. All of these were contributing factors to the initiation of World War I. Nationalism is the belief that one’s own country is the best. This caused many people and countries to fight in order to show that their country was the best and most powerful. As stated by Norman Rich, “ The extraordinary feeling that some people seem to derive from the belief that they are members of a superior nation or race is undoubtedly one of the greatest appeals of modern nationalism another is the belief that this superior nation was chosen by God or fate…” (Document J). This quotation proves that there were people in the …show more content…
This shows that after World War I, Japan had been influenced by the ideas of imperialism and was attempting to separate itself from the world and form trade routes solely within the boundaries of its self developed “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”. Japan was trying to colonize and dominate the pacific seas. Using methods of industrialism and militarism, they were doing very well. Japan trying to prove its global imperial presence is an example of how the original problems of imperialism and industrialization during World War I were present in the second world