Discuss the role of Hitler in bringing about the Second World War

World War II was one of the most destructive events in human history. It lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved many countries across the world. Millions of people died, and many cities and nations were left in ruins. One of the key figures who played a major role in bringing about this war was Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany.

In this article, we will discuss in simple words how Hitler’s ideas, actions, and policies led to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Who Was Adolf Hitler?

Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. He served as a soldier in World War I and later joined a political group called the German Workers’ Party, which later became the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party). He was a powerful speaker and quickly rose to power in the party. In 1933, Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany, and soon after, he declared himself the Fuhrer, or absolute leader, of Nazi Germany.

Hitler’s Ideology

One of the main reasons Hitler caused World War II was because of his dangerous ideology. He believed in:

• German racial superiority: He thought that Germans, especially those with blond hair and blue eyes (the “Aryans”), were the most superior race.
• Hatred of Jews: He blamed the Jews for Germany’s problems and wanted to remove them from society.
• Anti-Communism: He hated Communists and saw the Soviet Union as a threat.
• Revenge for World War I: Germany had lost World War I and had to sign the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler hated this treaty and wanted to undo it.

Treaty of Versailles and Hitler's Revenge

The Treaty of Versailles (1919) punished Germany severely after World War I. Germany had to:

• Pay huge sums of money to the Allied countries.
• Give up land and colonies.
• Limit its army to only 100,000 soldiers.
• Accept full blame for the war.

The German people felt humiliated and angry. Hitler used this anger to gain support. He promised to make Germany great again and cancel the treaty. This desire for revenge played a big role in his actions.

Hitler’s Rise to Power and Dictatorship

Once Hitler became the leader of Germany in 1933, he quickly turned the country into a dictatorship. He removed all political opponents, banned other parties, and controlled the media. The Gestapo (secret police) and the SS (a Nazi special force) helped crush any resistance. Germany became a one-party state, and Hitler had total control.

Rebuilding the Military

One of Hitler’s first steps was to secretly and then openly rebuild the German army, which was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. He increased the size of the army, built tanks, aircraft, and submarines, and reintroduced military conscription (forcing people to join the army).

In 1936, he sent German troops into the Rhineland, a region that was supposed to be demilitarized according to the treaty. The Allies, mainly Britain and France, did not stop him. This made Hitler more confident.

Forming Alliances

Hitler did not act alone. He formed strong alliances that increased the chances of war. These included:

• Rome-Berlin Axis (1936): Alliance with Italy, led by Benito Mussolini.
• Anti-Comintern Pact (1936): Agreement with Japan against communism.
• Pact of Steel (1939): A military and political alliance with Italy.
• Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939): A shocking agreement with the Soviet Union where they promised not to attack each other and secretly agreed to divide Poland between them.

These alliances gave Hitler the support or the freedom he needed to plan attacks on other countries.

Expansion and Aggression

Hitler believed in Lebensraum, or “living space.” He wanted more land for the German people and believed it was their right to take it, especially from Eastern Europe. He began a series of aggressive actions:

1. Annexation of Austria (Anschluss), 1938

Hitler forced Austria to join Germany. Many Austrians welcomed the move, but it was illegal under international law.

2. The Sudetenland Crisis, 1938

The Sudetenland was a part of Czechoslovakia where many Germans lived. Hitler demanded it, and at the Munich Conference, Britain and France agreed to let him have it to avoid war. This policy was called appeasement—giving in to an aggressor to maintain peace.

3. Occupation of Czechoslovakia, 1939

Despite promises, Hitler took over the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. This showed that he could not be trusted.

The Invasion of Poland – The Final Trigger

On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, using the excuse that Germans living there were being mistreated. This time, Britain and France had had enough. They had promised to protect Poland, so they declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.

This marked the beginning of World War II.

Why Didn’t Other Countries Stop Him Earlier?

There are several reasons why other nations didn’t stop Hitler earlier:

1.Fear of another war: The memory of World War I was still fresh, and countries like Britain and France did not want to start another war.

2.Economic problems: The world was facing the Great Depression, and countries were focused on solving their own issues.

3.Underestimation of Hitler: Many leaders believed that Hitler would stop once he got what he wanted. They didn’t realize he planned for a much larger war.

4.Appeasement policy: Britain and France kept giving in to Hitler’s demands, hoping to maintain peace.

Hitler’s Impact

Adolf Hitler was the central figure behind the events that led to World War II. His impact can be seen in:

• Breaking international agreements: He repeatedly broke the Treaty of Versailles.
• Encouraging militarism: He rebuilt the army and promoted war as a solution.
• Promoting racism and hatred: His ideas led to terrible crimes, including the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed.
• Destabilizing Europe: His expansionist policies forced nations into conflict.

To conclude, Hitler played a direct and crucial role in bringing about World War II. His ideas, his hatred, his thirst for power, and his refusal to follow international laws created a dangerous environment in Europe. While there were other reasons for the war, such as the Treaty of Versailles and global economic problems, Hitler’s aggressive actions and leadership were the biggest driving force behind the conflict.

Had he not come to power, or had he been stopped earlier, the war might have been avoided or at least delayed. Hitler’s role in history remains a warning to the world about the dangers of dictatorship, hate, and unchecked ambition.