World War II was one of the most tragic conflicts in human history, and it had a profound impact on the political, economic, cultural and other fields of the world. So, who exactly started World War II? This question involves a complex context of international relations and history.
The immediate trigger for World War II was the sudden attack of Nazi Germany on Poland on September 1, 1939. Prior to this, Nazi Germany had gradually expanded its territory and sphere of influence through a series of aggressive actions, such as the occupation of the Rhineland Demilitarized Zone in 1936, the annexation of Austria in 1938 (known as the Treaty of Annapolis), and the Munich Conspiracy in 1938.
Nazi Germany's aggression was the direct cause of the outbreak of World War II. However, there are deeper reasons behind Nazi Germany's aggression. First, the establishment and development of the Nazi regime led to the rise of ultranationalism and militarism in Germany. The Nazi regime promoted the theory of "racism" and "living space", arguing that Germany needed more territory and resources to meet the needs of the German people. This ultra-nationalist and militaristic ideology provided the theoretical basis and moral support for Nazi Germany's aggression.
Secondly, the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, which imposed severe punishments on Germany, made the German people generally dissatisfied. The Nazi regime exploited this discontent to incite nationalist sentiments and find a pretext for acts of aggression.
In addition, the international environment of the time also contributed to the aggression of Nazi Germany. The League of Nations at that time lacked effective checks and balances to stop Nazi Germany's aggression. Other countries, such as Britain and France, have not taken effective measures in time to prevent the outbreak of war due to their own problems.
In conclusion, the initiation of World War II was a complex process involving many reasons. The aggressive behavior of Nazi Germany was the direct cause of the outbreak of World War II, and the establishment and development of the Nazi regime, the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, and the international environment at that time were all deep-seated reasons for the outbreak of World War II.