Why World War II Happened

Hello, friends! World War II stands as one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. It left numerous major cities in ruins and continues to influence geopolitical events and international relations to this day. In this article, we will delve deep into the story of World War II, from its origins to its impact.

The Roots of Conflict

"It is difficult to track down one single event that sparked the conflict. For ultimately, it was a series of events that conspired together to eventually light a flame of war." The most hated treaty in the world, the Treaty of Versailles, set the stage for World War II in 1939. The year to start our story is 1919 when World War I had just ended. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in this year, included an essential clause, Article 231, which assigned full responsibility for the losses incurred during World War I to Germany. This infamous "War Guilt Clause" implied that Germany was solely to blame for the war, regardless of the involvement of other nations. France and Britain, seeking reparations for their wartime losses, demanded that Germany pay a staggering fine of $33 billion, equivalent to approximately $270 billion today. Astonishingly, it took until 2010 for Germany to make the final payment, stretching across almost a century. This enormous financial burden fell upon the shoulders of the German citizens, leading to severe economic turmoil and hyperinflation in the country in the early 1920s.

Enter Adolf Hitler

It was in this dire economic climate that Adolf Hitler emerged. A charismatic political leader, Hitler rose to prominence in the early 1920s. In 1923, his Nazi Party attempted to overthrow the German government in a coup, though the effort failed. Nevertheless, this episode catapulted Hitler to national attention and significantly bolstered his popularity. Hitler capitalized on the feelings of international humiliation and embarrassment in Germany, attributing these woes to supposed "anti-national" elements in the country, particularly Jews and socialists. Over the next decade, Hitler's propaganda machine was put to work, manipulating the masses, spreading hate, and laying the groundwork for the horrors to come.

The Great Depression and Hitler's Rise

The onset of the Great Depression in 1929 further deepened Germany's economic crisis, with unemployment reaching staggering levels. By 1933, six million Germans were jobless, and the nation was in dire straits. It was at this point that Hitler declared himself dictator of Germany. With absolute control in his hands, he began working on his vision of a racially pure German Reich, excluding Jews and Slavs. Hitler also propagated the Judeo-Bolshevism conspiracy theory, blaming the Jews for the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the formation of the Soviet Union.

Violations of the Treaty of Versailles

In 1935, the rest of the world discovered that Germany had established an air force, a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which had prohibited Germany from having military forces. However, many in Britain saw the treaty as unjust, as it imposed a colossal financial burden on Germany and disallowed it from having any military. In June 1935, Britain signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, officially recognizing Germany's right to build its own navy, which raised concerns in France. The French constructed the formidable Maginot Line, a 450-kilometer-long fortification on their eastern border, in anticipation of potential German aggression.

Hitler's Expansion

In 1938, Hitler turned his sights to Austria, believing it to be a necessary addition to his envisioned Greater German Empire. He orchestrated the infiltration of Austrian politics by pro-Nazi individuals and ultimately orchestrated a national vote to determine Austria's fate. However, before the vote took place, Hitler sent his army to Austria in what appeared to be a peaceful occupation, leading to Austria's incorporation into Nazi Germany.

The following target was Czechoslovakia, specifically the Sudetenland region, which had a significant German-speaking population. Hitler used this as a pretext for claiming the territory. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, eager to avoid war at all costs, signed the Munich Agreement in September 1938, allowing Hitler to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of peace. However, less than a year later, Hitler violated the agreement, invading the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

Soviet Union's Pact and the Invasion of Poland

To facilitate the invasion of Poland, Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union in 1939. This pact was surprising given Hitler's opposition to communist ideology, but it allowed for a swift invasion of Poland, with both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union claiming territories. On September 1, 1939, the German army launched a massive attack on Poland, swiftly advancing from the north and south. This aggression prompted the United Kingdom and France to issue an ultimatum to Hitler: stop the invasion or face war. Hitler ignored the ultimatum, and on September 3, 1939, the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany, marking the official beginning of World War II.

The Phony War and the Invasion of Norway and Denmark

The initial period following the declarations of war was known as the Phony War, as there was no significant conflict yet. While these nations had declared war on Germany, they provided no military support to Poland. The Polish forces, though mobilizing nearly 1.3 million soldiers, were ill-equipped to face the German military, which employed the Blitzkrieg strategy, focusing on speed and stealth. Hitler's troops used tanks to invade countries quickly, with air support from the Luftwaffe. This rapid invasion was often executed with the aid of drugs, such as Pervitin (a form of crystal meth), to enhance the endurance of German soldiers.

Evacuation at Dunkirk

In May 1940, Germany launched a full-scale attack on France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, initiating what would become known as the Battle of France. The French had constructed the Maginot Line to protect against German invasion, but Hitler's Blitzkrieg tactics proved devastating. The German forces were divided into three groups: A, B, and C. Group B attacked the Netherlands and then moved into Belgium, while Group C attacked the Maginot Line as a diversion. Group A executed the master plan, entering France through the Ardennes Forest, a move that caught the French by surprise. More than 40,000 military vehicles crossed the forest, capturing the city of Sedan and moving northwards.

In the midst of this chaos, the British army, facing Group B in Belgium, found themselves encircled on three sides by the German army. With no other escape route, they retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk, hoping to be evacuated by sea. This event gave rise to the Dunkirk Miracle, depicted in the film "Dunkirk" directed by Christopher Nolan. Operation Dynamo was launched on May 26, 1940, marking one of the most significant evacuations in military history. Nearly 400,000 Allied soldiers, primarily British and French, were stranded on the Dunkirk beaches. A combination of British Royal Air Force support, civilian vessels, and heroic efforts on the ground enabled the evacuation of approximately 350,000 troops by June 4, 1940.

The Fall of France and the Growing Threat

By June 22, 1940, France had

surrendered to Germany, leaving the United Kingdom as the primary remaining adversary of Nazi Germany. Italy, under the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, had formed the Pact of Steel with Germany, allying themselves in their fight against France and the United Kingdom. This alliance expanded the Axis Powers, comprising Germany, Italy, and Japan, against the Allies.

The Path Forward

The situation was dire for the United Kingdom, and its new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, faced the colossal task of leading the nation in its fight against Nazi Germany. But how did the world turn the tide against Hitler and prevent the fall of Britain? To find out, stay tuned for part two of our World War II story.

In conclusion, World War II was a global conflict shaped by a complex web of events, treaties, and aggressions that eventually ignited into a devastating war. The early stages of the war revealed Hitler's Blitzkrieg strategy and the Dunkirk evacuation, pivotal moments that would shape the course of the conflict. The world was on the brink of further destruction, and the coming months would determine the fate of nations and the course of history.