On what date did World War II begin? The answer upheld by many historians is when Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The French and the British declared war on Germany in 1939. Historically, from the American point of view, World War 2 began on December 7, 1941, with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The truth, however, is that there is no correct answer to this question. The world actually began sailing down a dangerous path to war after World War I. Economic depression paved the way for the rise of dictators which only hastened this disintegration as time ticked onward. The collaboration of these events, in this writer’s opinion, was the genesis that led to a dreadful horrendous global war. As we explore the Axis Power alliance consisting of Japan, Italy, and Germany the various agendas of each country appear to resemble many similarities and differences.
The European continent, and more specifically, Germany, at the end of World War I, is the key to understanding the events leading up to World War II. The Treaty of Versailles was the pact that formally initiated the termination of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles can also be directly linked to many of the problems that led Germany into a downward spiral. France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain all signed the treaty. However, because the Germans had lost the war, the treaty forced Germany to pay for the total cost of the war, and Germany also had to take full responsibility for World War I. In World War II The Axis Assault 1939-1942 Douglas Brinkley states: “President Woodrow Wilson had promised in 1917 that American entry into the war would bring about lasting world peace. Yet the onerous terms of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, never ratified by the United States, made another European war more, rather than less, likely” (Brinkley 3). The Treaty of Versailles, some argue, was a harsh punishment on Germany because not only did it force them to retreat within their borders; it also limited the size of their already thin and depleted military. Germans wanted revenge for what they felt was unfair treatment after the conclusion of World War I. This is a major contrasting difference between Germany and its Axis allies Japan. One positive outcome of the Treaty of Versailles was that Japan greatly benefitted from it by acquiring many of the German Colonies in the Pacific. “The movable and immovable property owned by the German State in the territory of Kiaochow, as well as all the rights which Germany might claim in consequence of the works or improvements made or of the expenses incurred by her, directly or indirectly, in connection with this territory, are and remain acquired by Japan, free and clear of all charges and encumbrances”(Hacken).
In contrast to the beneficial way the Treaty of Versailles helped Japan, Italy felt cheated. “Mussolini complained that at the Paris Peace Conference Italy was being cheated out of its just reward for participating in World War I. Mussolini proclaimed that Italy had a right to its place in the world and that it needed colonies like Britain’s”(Smitha).
The rise of ruthless dictators is a likeness that each member had in common throughout the Axis Power alliance. Adolf Hilter besides being a compelling speaker was able to rise to power in Germany through the popular vote because many believed he could lead the country into a brighter future. “The middle class was in tatters, farmers were drowning in debt, laborers were out of work, many aristocratic landowners were impoverished, and industrial magnates were glumly presiding over an output that had shrunk to less than half of what it had been in 1929” (Whiting 23). Douglas Brinkley states throughout the twenties and into the early1930’s, “Hitler carefully used the German economic issue as a stepping stool for the NAZI party in the coming elections”(Brinkley 11). Hitler essentially took advantage of a bad situation to claw his way to power very much like Hitler’s acquaintance Benito Mussolini in Italy.
Another key event that guided the world in the direction of World War II is Italy, and the rise to power of yet another dictator, who we know as, Benito Mussolini. Henry Adams quotes Benito Mussolini: “We Fascists are the exaltation of all that is Roman” (Adams 24). Much like his right-hand man Hitler, Mussolini rose to power during a time of labor disputes and economic depression through a cult-like following known as the fascists. The only real contrasting difference between the two men was that Mussolini essentially gained control of Italy via a coup d’état where Hitler actually went through political channels. “He told an audience in Naples on October 24, “Either they give us the government or we shall take it by marching Rome.” (Adams 25)
“Winston Churchill, after a visit to Rome in 1927, declared that, “anyone could see he thought of nothing but the lasting good of the Italian people.” And a few years earlier, the fledgling German politician Adolf Hitler had written: “I have the keenest admiration for the great man who governs south of the Alps”(Adams 8). This quote is indisputable evidence that Hitler and Mussolini had mutual goals and love for their respective countries. The passion each European dictator possessed for their own country is relative to one fact. This began to steer the ship towards an inevitable war.
The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, as previously established, stripped Germany of its claimed territories, had hurt Italy in a similar manner. Mussolini, in classic dictator fashion and much like his idol Hitler, had vowed to achieve revenge for previous Italian embarrassment on the world stage by reclaiming territories once belonging to Italy. An Italian invasion of Ethiopia was in the works. Although Mussolini did not even come close to the brutality of Hitler, it is important to note that he was heavily influenced by Hitler. Much like that of a criminal copy cat, this does not diminish Mussolini as a dictator; it only enforces the idea he had a sadistic role model, and this likeness made him equally dangerous on the European continent.
The final member of the Axis Power alliance is Japan. Very much like in Germany and Italy, all the ingredients were coming together for a dictator to come into power. The government instability in Japan almost led to a coup de tat which ironically had taken place across the world, in Italy. “At dawn on February 26, 1936, a force of 1,400 radical Army officers and men split up into groups and fanned out through the streets of Tokyo” (Cantaly and Newton 23). Although the militant attack on the Japanese government was unsuccessful, it provides us with a comparative analogy of how the unstable governments in Germany, Italy, and Japan gave way to dictators.
Japan felt the effects of economic depression much like Germany and Italy. “Through those years, the nation was steadily propelled toward a new world war by a small yet relentless group of militant nationalists” (Cantaly and Newton 28). Japan, like the other future Axis Powers, Germany, and Italy, actually became entangled in the web which led to World War 2 in the early 1930s. “At 10:30 p.m. on September 18, 1931, Japanese train pulled to a halt in front of a Chinese barracks outside of Mukden, a walled city in southern Manchuria. An explosion touched off by Japanese soldiers ripped the air” (Cantaly and Newton 16). The Japanese, unlike Germany, focused on gaining imperial power and natural resources. Despite this difference, both countries both believed they were racially superior in their own regions of the world.
Ultimately, after a close examination the Axis powers, Japan, Germany, and Italy shared more commonalities than differences. The argument of German and Japanese racial superiority appears to be different on the surface, however, this brought about involvement in World War II for both countries. The racial beliefs of both countries may differ, but racism is the same no matter how it is interpreted. Dictators can come to power by-election, or they can be appointed by a particular ruling party, we need to learn from historical mistakes to not let this happen to humanity again.
Works Cited
Adams, Henry. “Italy At War .” Adams, Henry. Italy At War World War II. Chicago Illinois: Silver Burdett Company , 1982. 8.
Brinkley, Douglas. “World War II The Axis Assault, 1939-1942.” Brinkley, Douglas. New York, New York: New York Times and Agincourt Press, 2003. 3.
Cantaly, Donald Davidson and John Newton. “Japan At War.” Editors of Time Life Books Cantaly, Donald Davidson and John Newton. Japan At War . Morristown : Silver Burdett Company , 1980. 16.
Hacken, Richard. The Peace Treaty of Versailles . 11 November 1998. http://net.lib.byu.edu/~rdh7/wwi/versa/versa3.html. 26 09 2012.
Smitha, Frank E. MacroHistory and World History Report . 2011. http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch12muss2.htm. 27 Septeber 2012.
Whiting, Charles. “The Homefront Germany, World War II.” Chicago, Illonois : Silver Burdett Company , 1982. 23.
