To what extent were the dictators Hitler and Mussolini responsible for the outbreak of WW2 in Europe Dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini are largely responsible for the outbreak of WW2. This is due to the aggressive and dangerous foreign policies. It aggravated tensions between European powers and the Western Allies. Even though these two dictators played a major role in the outbreak of war, the little resistance from the Allies gave the dictators breathing room to enforce such heavy foreign policies and ultimately create fear and tensions between nations. Other influences include the League of Nations which failed the principle of collective security and the enforcements of demilitarisation.
When Hitler came to power within Germany in the 1930s he aimed to bring all German speaking people under one great empire and that Germans were the master race who were superior to Jews and Slavs this showed the aggressive nature of Germans foreign policy because for Hitler to bring all German speaking people into one great empire it would mean having to invade territory she had lost from ww1. Mussolini also looked to recreate an empire as powerful as the roman empire and he believed that conquering foreign territory was a sign of a great nation and great power. Italy and Germany both believed in ideology that glorified the military and believed that war was an acceptable way of accomplishing their goals. This caused both Hitler and Mussolini to create aggressive foreign policies to distract the citizens living in the countries of the terrible
Growth of support for facism was a reason for Mussolinis appointment as Prime Minister,however there were many other reasons for Mussolinis appointment as PM, but growth of support was very important for him. The war and the mutilated victory, had an affect on Mussolinis appointment as PM. The main reason wad that the nationalists were bitterly disappointed that italy didn’t make any gains during the war. The nationalists claimed that Italy had been betrayed by the Liberal government, this shows that the nationalists might have wanted to overthrow the Liberal government and therefore supported Mussolini before he was appointed. This links into the title point that Mussolini had a wide support base and that it was growing.
Economists view the economic conditions as the major reason for the downfall of the Weimar republic and the rise of the Nazis but political scientists like to point out the constitutional structure of the Weimar constitution. According to some it is one of the great ironies of history that Hitler came to power through legal means. One way Hitler managed his dictatorship was through the appointment as Chancellor in 1933. This helped establish a dictatorship because it helped Hitler and the Nazis gain support. I know from my background knowledge that once Hitler was named Chancellor big bankers and industrialists, including Krupp and I. G. Farben, had lobbied Hindenburg and schemed behind the scenes on behalf of Hitler because they were convinced he would be good for business.
World War 2 & Hitler Nationalism was a large part of the second world war. Hitler wanted to achieve the status he desired for Germany, and there for he displayed multiple forms of ultranationalism. I agree with Margret MacMillan that Hitler would have always wanted more power no matter what happened, but I do not agree that the Treaty of Versailles had no effect on world war two. The Treaty of Versailles had a direct impact on the second world war, without Hitler violating the treaty Britain would not have declared war in 1939 kick-starting the second world war. I agree with Margret MacMillan that Hitler would want to gain more power no matter what happened.
Hitler and Mussolini were both responsible for the outbreak of war in 1939, though mainly due to both Nazi and fascist ideologies; two ideologies that both dictators allied together to spread the fascist ideologies internationally. Hitler is more responsible for the outbreak of war in 1939 as he demonstrates his aggressive behaviour and intelligence in the belief of building a Lebensraum (fixing the economic problem from WW1 and expanding to attain more land with a growing population), revising the Treaty of Versailles and creating an Aryan race in which he believed Jews and Slav’s were an inferior race; in which were considered as mere slaves. Throughout the 1930s, from Hitler’s first moment of being appointed chancellor the League of Nations is foreshadowed as very weak as it will not possess potential power to appease peace or intervention upon the actions of both dictators. The League of Nations had one purpose; to preserve world peace. But throughout the 1930s towards WW2, the League of Nations is shown to be very weak; hence it couldn’t prevent the Abyssinia Crisis.
Considering that Realpolitik focused on preventing a war within Europe and Weltpolitik aggressively asserted German dominance, it can be validly argued that this direct change in German foreign policy played a major role in bringing about the First World War. Another reason that German foreign policy was so greatly scrutinized was because of the Anglo-German naval rivalry which was creating tension within Europe. As long as Germany built, Britain would be a German enemy. The German government dramatically increased the development of German Ships. [i] This arms race and change in German foreign policy, believing they needed to control the seas was seen as a definite and direct cause
The next factor that seemed to emphasize the cause of the war was German's dictator, Adolph Hitler, who led the Germans with the ideas of fascists. Since the Germans were going through the Great Depression, Hitler's idea seemed more efficient and they reluctantly joined him and his quest to conquer. He also began to sufficiently gaining popularity throughout Germany and increased their nation’s power. This situation began to worry all the neighboring countries and began fearing Germany. Nationalism was an extreme form of patriotism that swept across Europe during the 1800's.
Italy soon joined after because Germany was mainland Europe’s most powerful country, so Italy wanted to join with them. The triple alliance promised on the ground that they had to help the other country if they were being attacked. The triple entente was formed with Britain, France and Russia in 1907. The triple entente was less structured than the triple alliance. Entente meaning “a friendly understanding or informal alliance between states.” This meant that they didn’t need to promise to help the other two countries but the understanding that they would support the other country.
Theories and Perspectives in Twentieth Century Totalitarian Regimes Discuss Competing Perspectives On The Maintenance of Power in One or More 20th Century Totalitarian Regimes This essay will examine the maintenance of power in fascist Italy after the October 1922 ‘March on Rome’.Benito Mussolini’s political assertiveness and opportunism had helped him capitalise on the fear of a socially complex and politically divided Italy. This essay will explore the measures he and his party took to reign in Italy’s economic and social instabilities, and how he literally disposed of the country’s political divisions. Theseactions would see his fascist party, The PNF, become the first Totalitarian Regime, and the model from which later regimes would be established. I will make comparative analysisof,and identify parallels between Mussolini’s PNF and Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party in Germany and I will deliberate competing perspectives on the function and viability of the economic, political and social programmes and policies of the party. I will use quantative data where possible to give me a better insightinto both the competing academic perspectives and the influence and effectiveness of the regimes endeavours, which will go towards helpingmeformulate as informed a conclusion of my own as possible.