The Origins and the Causes of the First World War - What were the main mid-term causes?

8 important questions on The Origins and the Causes of the First World War - What were the main mid-term causes?

How did the importance of Nazi ideology in the war evolve?

Although the invasion of Poland was in some ways a fulfilment of Nazi ideology;

  1. Expanded German 'living space' at the expense of 'racially inferior' people; some of whom were enslaved (the Poles) and others of which were persecuted or killed (Jewish poles)


However, as the war continued it increasingly became driven by Nazi ideology, and also encompassed an ideological struggle between Nazism and communism; this was most obvious in June 1941 when Hitler invaded the USSR

Counter-argument: Why did the Nazis invade the USSR?

Assurance of SUCCESS:
  1. Winter War 1939-49, between Russia and Finland to gain territory North of Leningrad; Russian troops initially outfought and defeated by smaller Finnish forces
  2. Although Russia won; casualties were very high


International Consensus was that Russia wouldn't survive an attack by expert, battle-hardened German forces
Moreover, at Russia's defeat Britain's Middle-Eastern oil supplies and India itself would be ripe for the picking

This German confidence is supported that there were few in-depth preparations for a long campaign.

What is an example in the late 1930s that shows that until quite the USSR still wanted to co-operate with France and Britain?

The USSR's uncertain involvement in the Spanish Civil War:
  1. Even though Stalin saw the need to prevent the success of Fascism he didn't go 'full out' out because he thought it would cause panic within the French and British government
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What general reasons led Germany, Italy and Japan to want to go to war with what would later make up the Grand Alliance?

  1. Each state had beliefs rooted in military values and historic glories
  2. All sought territorial gains to solve domestic problems
  3. All took advantage of neighbours considered weak, but whose strength was underestimated
  4. Racial pride was an factor that influenced military policy
  5. All believed empire would help economic and military power
  6. All were mistakenly encouraged by weak responses of democratic powers and the belief none of these democracies wanted to sustain long and costly wars

What was the effect of the Treaty of Versailles as a Long-Term cause of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific?

  1. Japan was not awarded the lands dominant position in China that it wanted; for example rather than gaining Shandong province; Japan was forced to withdraw from China
  2. Also only given the right to administer Pacific islands south of the Equator, not absolute ownership of them
  3. Affronted when Racial equality was rejected as a principle of the League of Nations

As such, Versailles became a grievance for Japan as it was for Germany, Italy and Russia

What examples are there of the West encouraging Japan to be imperialistic?

1904-5 Russo-Japanese War brought many imperialist advantages to Japan:
  1. Korea became a 'protectorate of Japan'
  2. Manchuria into its economic sphere of influence


These were encouraged by western powers:
  1. 1902: Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Signing and re-signing of this treaty after the war endorsed the Japanese annexation f Korea

    2. 1905: Treaty of Portsmouth
Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize mediated the treaty that ended the war; recognised Japan's supremacy in Korea and thus the United States approved Japan's annexation

What was the main reason for Japan's invasion of French Indo-China?

Cut of China's Western supply lines and to outflank China

What quote summarises the delusion of Japanese ideas of racial superiority?

1934: Araki Sadao "three million Japanese armed with bamboo spears can defend Japan against any enemy"

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