when did ww2 start

Question

when did ww2 start

Accepted Answer

World War II, one of the most significant and devastating conflicts in human history, officially began on September 1, 1939. This war involved many of the world’s nations, including all of the great powers, eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Understanding the start of World War II requires a look into the complex web of political, economic, and social factors that had been building up for decades.

Immediate Cause
The immediate cause of World War II was the German invasion of Poland. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, launched a surprise attack on Poland. This invasion was characterized by the blitzkrieg strategy, which means "lightning war" – a rapid and intense military attack designed to bring about a swift victory. Two days later, on September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany, marking the official beginning of World War II.

Long-term Causes
Treaty of Versailles (1919):

Harsh Reparations: The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, imposed severe reparations and territorial losses on Germany. The treaty demanded that Germany accept full responsibility for the war and make substantial territorial concessions and financial reparations. This created deep resentment and economic hardship in Germany, laying the groundwork for future conflict.
Military Restrictions: The treaty also imposed strict limitations on the size and capabilities of the German military, which humiliated the nation and fostered a desire for retribution and the restoration of national pride.
Economic Instability:

The Great Depression (1929): The global economic crisis of the late 1920s and early 1930s severely affected Germany and other nations. Unemployment and poverty were rampant, contributing to political instability and the rise of extremist movements that promised to restore national strength and prosperity.
Hyperinflation in Germany: During the early 1920s, Germany experienced hyperinflation, further destabilizing the economy and contributing to widespread public discontent and desperation.
Rise of Totalitarian Regimes:

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party: The political and economic instability in Germany facilitated the rise of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party). Hitler's charismatic leadership, nationalist propaganda, and promises to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and restore German greatness won him widespread support.
Fascism in Italy and Militarism in Japan: Similar political movements were taking root in Italy and Japan. Benito Mussolini's fascist regime in Italy and the militaristic government in Japan pursued aggressive expansionist policies, contributing to global instability.
Failure of the League of Nations:

Ineffectiveness: The League of Nations, established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation, was largely ineffective in preventing aggression by totalitarian regimes. Its inability to enforce disarmament and its failure to act decisively in the face of international crises undermined its credibility.
Manchurian and Ethiopian Crises: The League's inability to effectively respond to Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 demonstrated its weaknesses and emboldened aggressive powers.
Appeasement Policies:

Munich Agreement (1938): European powers, particularly Britain and France, adopted policies of appeasement, hoping to avoid another large-scale war by conceding to some of Hitler’s demands. The Munich Agreement allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. This policy failed as it only emboldened Hitler to pursue further territorial expansion.
Invasion of Czechoslovakia: Despite the Munich Agreement, Germany proceeded to occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, further demonstrating that appeasement had failed to curb German aggression.
Non-Aggression Pact:

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939): On August 23, 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact, officially known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This treaty included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This agreement ensured that Germany would not face a two-front war and paved the way for the invasion of Poland.
Summary
The outbreak of World War II was the result of a complex interplay of immediate and long-term factors. The immediate trigger was Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. However, the underlying causes can be traced back to the aftermath of World War I, the economic hardships of the Great Depression, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the failure of the League of Nations, and the policy of appeasement adopted by European powers.

The war would go on to become the deadliest conflict in human history, reshaping the world order and setting the stage for the geopolitical dynamics of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Course: World History Project AP® > Unit 1

ACTIVITY: Draw Your History

Complete the activity online

Download or print the activity

Want to join the conversation?