World War II : roots and causes (World War Two)

World War II changed recent history not only by altering the balance of power In the world, but also by ending European overseas empires, which led eventually to the founding of new independent nations. The war left the world with two major power centers: the United States and the Soviet Union, who each now possess nuclear power sufficient to destroy all of civilization. The war was a catastrophe that brought death to millions of innocent people. What, then, led to this war?
The readings in this collection form a case study of the ideas, the events, and the people involved in the origins of World War II. Through these readings it is hoped that the student will be Introduced to some of the problems and issues that have concerned his¬ torians about the roots and causes of World War II.
This topic is intriguing because after an earlier world war, 1914- 1918, governments were unable to avoid an even more ghastly war. It would seem that after one world bloodbath, statesmen and politicians ought to have been wise enough to have prevented another conflict from overwhelming the world. Why did they not see the mounting threat and take action when it would not, perhaps, have been so costly? Why did the unthinkable become reality and the democracies have to face the very war they had hoped to avoid?
War was finally thrust on the democracies because of the German invasion of Poland, ordered by Adolf Hitler. The Austrian-born chancellor had come to power in Germany because he was able to exploit the crisis created in Germany by the Great Depression. By taking advantage of this economic catastrophe, it was possible for Hitler to organize his own political movement. National Socialism, and to build the largest and strongest political party in Germany. His party gave him the necessary leverage to achieve power in January 1933. Once in power, Hitler destroyed all political opposition and at the same time created one of the most authoritarian governments in modern history.