An Essay On The True Causes Of World War And World War II

World War I and World War II were the most devastating conflicts in human history. These two global wars resulted in millions of deaths, economic collapse, and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the world. While many reasons have been cited for the outbreak of both wars, this essay aims to delve deeper into the true causes that led to these monumental conflicts.

The Seeds of World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, lasted from 1914 to 1918. It originated in Europe but quickly escalated into a global conflict involving several major powers. While the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in 1914 is often considered the immediate trigger, there were underlying factors that played a significant role in the outbreak of the war.

Imperialism and nationalism were powerful driving forces behind World War I. At the turn of the 20th century, European nations were engaged in a fierce competition for colonies and resources across the globe. This race for dominance created tensions among these nations, as they sought to expand their empires and assert their dominance over other countries.

A Century of War Against Germany: An essay on the true causes of World War I and World War II.

by Alejandro Kaiser(Kindle Edition)

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Nationalism, on the other hand, fueled the desire for independence and self-determination among various ethnic groups within Europe. The rise of nationalism threatened the stability of multinational empires such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, which further contributed to the growing tension in the region.

The alliance system set in place before the war also played a significant role. Europe was divided into two main alliances: the Triple Entente (comprised of France, Russia, and Britain) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). These alliances created a delicate balance of power that could easily be disrupted by any act of aggression.

Add to that the arms race, colonial rivalries, and the complex web of diplomatic relationships, and it becomes clear that World War I was a culmination of various contributing factors. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand simply acted as the spark that ignited the volatile situation.

Unresolved Issues and the Outbreak of World War II

World War II, which engulfed the world from 1939 to 1945, was a consequence of the unresolved issues left behind by its predecessor and the rise of aggressive expansionist states.

The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, had deep-seated flaws that sowed the seeds of resentment and paved the way for another global conflict. Germany, as the defeated nation, was burdened with severe reparations, territorial losses, and a demilitarization process that left its people feeling humiliated and bitter.

Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany marked the beginning of an aggressive regime that aimed to overturn the perceived injustices inflicted upon the country. Hitler's expansionist policies towards neighboring states, along with his anti-Semitic ideology, set the stage for the eruption of World War II.

The failure of appeasement by the international community allowed Hitler to continue his aggression unchecked. The invasion of Poland in 1939 finally prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the official start of World War II.

However, there were other significant factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War II. The Great Depression of the 1930s, which caused widespread economic hardship, created fertile ground for radical ideologies to gain traction. Fascism and militarism found fertile soil in countries grappling with economic uncertainties.

Japan's aggression in Asia and Italy's invasion of Ethiopia further destabilized the already tense international situation. The league of Nations, established after World War I to prevent future conflicts, failed to effectively address these growing threats, thereby laying the groundwork for another devastating war.

The Lessons and Legacy

The true causes of World War I and World War II spanned political, economic, and cultural factors. Imperialism, nationalism, unresolved grievances, aggressive expansionism, and diplomatic failures all played their part in igniting these global conflicts.

These wars demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of maintaining peacekeeping organizations that uphold the principles of justice and collaboration. The League of Nations' shortcomings paved the way for the creation of the United Nations, which aims to prevent future conflicts and promote international cooperation.

While the true causes may always be debated, studying the complexities of these conflicts and understanding the factors that contributed to their outbreak is crucial for avoiding similar catastrophes in the future. World War I and World War II serve as painful reminders of the devastating effects of war and the responsibility we have as global citizens to strive for peace.

A Century of War Against Germany: An essay on the true causes of World War I and World War II.

by Alejandro Kaiser(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14500 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	314 pages
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"This is an English war; its goal is to destroy Germany."
Winston Churchill on September 3, 1939 on the British declaration of war on Germany.

"[…] now we have to shift from defense to attack."
Joseph Stalin on May 5, 1941, 48 days before the German-Soviet war.

"Poland wants the war with Germany, and Germany will not be able to avoid it even if it wants to."
Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army Rydz-Śmigły in a lecture to Polish officers in the summer of 1939.

"We didn’t go to war in 1939 to save Germany from Hitler [...] or the continent from fascism. As in 1914, we went to war for the no less noble reason that we could not accept a German supremacy in Europe."
The Sunday Correspondent, London, September 17, 1989.

"[…] the first duty of the historian is the truth, the whole truth, and who tells only half the truth is already a complete liar."
Wilhelm Heinrich Riehl, German journalist, novelist and cultural historian.
 
An old popular saying goes that the first casualty of war is truth. Or that the "official historiography" is always the "historiography of the rulers". The two world wars are no exception: that World War I and the Treaty of Versailles were essential factors in Hitler's seizure of power is undisputed, but the fact that remains mostly unmentioned is that not only was Germany not "solely to blame" for this first war, but that the Allies had been pursuing the goal of waging war against Germany since the beginning of the 20th century. The defeated Germany was treated with disproportionate harshness, driving the impoverished and desperate Germans into the arms of Hitler. Then, with World War II, came the worst tragedy in German history: massive bombings, expulsions and famines took the lives of millions of people. The extent of the atrocities that befell the Germans at that time is seldom accurately described in the official historiography, which is based on Germany's sole guilt for World War II. Probably in order to prevent the crumbling of the myth, which serves as an instrument of government, that the Germans were the sole "perpetrator nation" of that era.
In war the first victim is the truth and the propaganda of the victors becomes the historiography of the defeated.
In all societies there are incontrovertible pillars of the "truth", scientifically "proven", socially recognized, therefore "obvious" and serving as a basis for the world view of the individual. One of these pillars of truth is the exclusive guilt of the Germans in the two world wars. For the German people it's the basis of their identity, of their self-image, even of their existence. German guilt is considered an "obvious fact". However, if the winner writes history, these "generally accessible sources" come from its pen and the "official announcements" bear its stamp! What this circumstance has meant for the German people for 100 years can hardly be comprehended in its scope and extent and is unimaginable as to its tragedy.
In this document I compare the view of history taught in textbooks and disseminated by politics and the media with the officially accessible sources. Even those who doubt the official historiography might be surprised at how much the picture conveyed to us deviates from the actual events and background by simply misrepresenting, distorting or omitting important facts.