How Did Germany's Actions Cause Ww2

On June 28, 1919, the Allied countries of World War I thought the storm of warfare had passed and ushered in a new era of everlasting peace, all because of one document- the Treaty of Versailles. However, the unforgiving reparations that the Allies imposed on Germany in Article 232 of the treaty contributed to the collapse of the German economy. The economic instability then created an environment that thrust Hitler into power, which ultimately led to World War II. When the Allies and Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles on that June day in 1919, Article 231 (the “War Guilt Clause”) made it clear that World War I was Germany’s fault. Furthermore, in Article 232, the Allies required that Germany pay “compensation for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property during the period of belligerency.” However, according to John Maynard Keynes, …show more content…
When Hitler demanded the Polish city of Danzig back, which the Treaty of Versailles had declared as free, Britain sensed the danger and promised protection to Poland if war broke out. The breaking point came when Hitler denied that the Western countries would not go to war over Poland and invaded the country on September 1, 1939. Because Hitler continually violated the treaty without consequences, he perceived the Allies as weak. However, they realized the danger of his actions when he became violent. The Western countries recognized that Hitler would continue fulfilling his expansionist ideology if they did not stop him. Consequently, on September 3, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany while the Soviet Union (Germany’s ally) sent its opposing troops into Poland on September 17. World War II began less than two decades after the end of the First World War, and it became evident that everlasting peace was just a