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- ORIGINS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR: A brief summary
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- The origins of the Second World War were rooted deeply in the results
- and greviances real or imagined of the victors and vanquished of the
- First World war. They may be summarised as follows:-
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- A) Germany`s treatment through the Versailles Treaty of 1919 left
- her with manifold grievances which made the rise of Hitler`s
- National-socialism much easier.
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- B) German expansionism towards the East based on the Nazi principle
- of "Lebensraum nach osten" - living space in the east, together
- with Stalin`s own aggressive Russian communist policy.
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- C) The suspicion of France towards Germany which made any kind of
- lasting raproachment very difficult.
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- D) The vacilliation of the French and British over Czechoslovakia
- the Rhineland and Austria which made Hitler feel that no real
- threat of war would be brought about by his settling accounts
- with Poland.
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- E) A system of interlocking alliances reminiscent of the First
- World War which drew in numerous nations.
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- F) The break up of the Austro-Hungarian empire which led to resurgent
- nationalist forces throughout Eastern Europe.
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- G) The expansionist policy of Italy and the spread of conflict by
- Mussolini`s attempts to build an Italian African empire.
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- H) Confusing Foreign Policy by the British which clouded the real
- issues of peace and war.
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- The reasons for the Second World war were both many and complex
- and students are recommended especially to read A.J.P Taylor's
- - ORIGINS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
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