The Second World War (1939-1945) was undoubtedly one of the most catastrophic events in human history. It led to the deaths of millions of people, the displacement of millions more, and the destruction of vast swathes of Europe and Asia. But how did the world reach the point where such a devastating conflict became inevitable? The answer lies in the events that preceded the war, a timeline that spans several years and involves a number of key players.

One of the earliest events that contributed to the onset of World War II was the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931. This invasion took place in northeast China, in an area that Japan had long coveted for its natural resources. Japan claimed that the Chinese forces stationed there had sabotaged a railway line, and used this as a pretext to launch a full-scale invasion. The League of Nations, which was formed after World War I as a means of ensuring international peace and stability, condemned the invasion in a resolution that ultimately proved toothless.

Another significant event took place in Germany in 1933, when Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of the country. Hitler had been the leader of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party, and his ascent to power signaled a shift in German politics towards a more aggressive and militaristic stance. Over the next few years, Hitler would take steps to re-arm Germany, tear up the Treaty of Versailles (which had ended World War I), and pursue an expansionist foreign policy.

In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia, marking the start of a period of sustained aggression by the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan). The League of Nations once again passed a resolution condemning the invasion, but little was done to enforce it. Instead, Italy was allowed to annex Ethiopia and continue its imperialist ambitions in Africa.

Meanwhile, Britain and France were pursuing a policy of appeasement towards Hitler, attempting to avoid a war by accommodating some of his demands. In 1938, Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population, be ceded to Germany. Britain and France agreed, leading to the Munich Agreement. The Czechoslovak government was not consulted and had to acquiesce, further losing credibility and sovereignty.

However, Hitler’s ambitions would not be satisfied by the Sudetenland. In 1939, he invaded Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany. The Polish campaign was swift and brutal, with the Germans rapidly conquering the country. This marked the beginning of a global conflict that would ultimately lead to the defeat of the Axis powers.

There were other factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War II, including the failure of the League of Nations to maintain international order, the economic hardship and political instability of the interwar period, and the rise of totalitarian regimes in various countries. However, the events outlined above provide a basic timeline of the key events that led to the start of the war. Ultimately, the Second World War was a result of a complex web of factors and decisions made by leaders around the world. The lessons from this period are still being studied and applied today in determining foreign policies, global security and conflict resolution.

Quest'articolo è stato scritto a titolo esclusivamente informativo e di divulgazione. Per esso non è possibile garantire che sia esente da errori o inesattezze, per cui l’amministratore di questo Sito non assume alcuna responsabilità come indicato nelle note legali pubblicate in Termini e Condizioni
Quanto è stato utile questo articolo?
0Vota per primo questo articolo!