Despite the death and destruction of World War I, called “the war to end all wars”, agreements made when it was over only fueled further resentment.
The major causes of World War II were numerous: Treaty of Versailles following WWI, worldwide economic depression, rise of militarism in Germany and Japan. failure of appeasement, and persecution.
Following World War I, the victorious Allied Powers met to decide Germany’s future. Germany would be forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles (1919) - Germany had to accept guilt for the war and to pay reparations. Germany lost territory and was prohibited from having a large military.
Economic Depression
The whole world was hit by an economic depression in the late 1920s. The people look for strong leaders in times of crisis, leading to Adolf Hitler becoming leader of Germany in 1933 - he promised to restore German wealth and power.
Germany’s Militarism
Hitler immediately began secretly building up Germany’s army and weapons. Although Britain and France knew of Hitler’s actions, they thought a stronger Germany would stop the spread of Communism from Russia. In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the German-speaking areas of the Rhineland (France), Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Hitler made alliances with Italy and Japan - called the Axis Powers.
Appeasement meant agreeing to the demands of another nation in order to avoid conflict. During the 1930s, politicians in Britain and France began to believe that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germany, so followed a Policy of Appeasement - they gave Hitler what he wanted in order to keep the peace.
Persecution
Nazi-sponsored persecution and mass murder fueled resistance to the Germans in the Third Reich itself and throughout occupied Europe. Although Jews were the Nazis' primary victims, they too resisted Nazi oppression in a variety of ways, both collectively and as individuals.
Ducksters resource - suitable for students accessing learning support.
ThoughtCo. article.
ERGO : Explore WWII - The Conscription Debate
The Defence Act 1903 enabled the government to conscript men but only to fight in defence of the Australian mainland. When war broke out in 1939, conscripted Australian troops could not be sent to fight overseas, instead they served in Australia or its territories.
Returning from the Battle of Isurava, soldiers of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion trudge through deep mud on the hellish Kokoda Track. In heavy fighting under appalling conditions, these heroes have played a vital role at Kokoda, Deniki, and Isurava in blunting the momentum of the Japanese advance towards Australia. From right to left: Warrant Officer 2 R. Marsh, Privates G. Palmer, J. Manol, J. Tonkins, A. Forrester, and Gallipoli veteran Staff Sergeant J. Long.....AWM 013288
The Legend of the Kokoda explained here
Further resources on the Kokoda Campaign below:
