How did World War Two really start?

Question

Yes, there have been a couple of reason that i have heard why World War Two started and I wanted to get everybodys opinion.

Answer 1

Are you asking "how" or "why"? Your question says both. Others have answered "when", but I've got my opinion on why.

The reason WWII started was that there were two fascist, expansionist powers, both of whom believed to a strong degree that their own ideology (and "race") was superior to that of the nations around them, and that they should rightfully control the economic resources of neighboring lands. And they were willing to go to war for it.

They were both willing to treat the peoples of neighboring lands (and even some within their own borders) as subhuman: witness Germany's Holocaust and Japan's Rape of Nanking.

Both powers felt slighted in one way or another by the rest of the world's major powers, and felt that diplomacy would not get them what they sought. Witness the treaty of Versailles and the Five-Power Naval Limitation Treaty. Both embarked on major expansions of their armed forces in preparation for a conflict to right these perceived wrongs.

Both of these fascist powers declared war on their neighbors in an attempt to achieve their political, economic and ideological goals. Most of the rest of the world decided that this behavior was unacceptable, and chose to fight back.

That's why it started.

Answer 2

The most common start date given is September 1, 1939. This is the day Germany invaded Poland. When this happened the British and French declared war on Germany. The rest grew from that.

The Japanese had invaded China years before, but that war had not expanded to include other nations.

Answer 3

Many historians feel WWII started with the Spanish Civil war or the Japanese invasion of China in 1936. Both were focal points with multi nation participation, sometimes officially backed by a government, sometime by mercenaries.

The Spanish Civil war was a testing ground for military weaponry and personel of Germany, Italy, USSR, and France.

It could be said that when Hitler moved troops into the Ruhr Valley and violated the Treaty of Versailles (which ended WWI), he started WWII in Europe.

In Asia, the Japanese invasion of China was the definitive start of the war on that side of the world.

Answer 4

Hitler was told after he annexed Sudentland, Czechoslovakia, and Austira he could annex no more. He really wanted Poland to have as Lebensraum(living space for the Aryan race) so he and Stalin made a pact to invade and divide it. After this move France and England finally had had enough with appeasement policies and declared war. The US entered the war 12/8/41 after the bombing of Pearl Habor by Japan.

Answer 5

In Europe- Germany invaded Poland in 1939.

In Asia- Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, HI in 1945.

Answer 6

The war really started in 1923 when Hitler began a coup, which was brought down by a weak Wiemar Republic. Or in 1932, when Japan invaded China.

Answer 7

I'll begin with the Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, because I feel this is what triggered the war in Europe.

Hitler demaned a corridor to East Prussia, and pushed for annexation of Poland. European powers finally grew a spine and refused.

German troops than took kindnapped Poles, dressed them in Polish army garb and shot the at a German border station along with a few men dressed as German guards. This falsified attack by Poland was used as an excuse to invade Poland, not as an agressor, but as a defensive measure; needless to say few nations bought into Hitler's statments about Polish attack.

Hitler's ground forces moved ahead, and forced the Poles ack despite fierce resistance; the German advace was nearly halted by Poland. The USSR decided to enter the war midway through the invasion, and attacked from the east, all but ending the war. German and Soviet armies were too much for Poland, which fell despite spirited fighting. The Polish campaign also saw the last use of massed cavalry with lances, as far as I can tell, in history when Polish cavalry charged at and routed a German infantry column.

The United Kingdom promised to aid Poland against, Germany but in effect did nothing. They sent some troops into German territory, but pulled them back over legal concerns regarding the destruction of German civilian property. Many in the British government felt that German citizens would need to be repaid for damge to their property, and that extreme restraint must be shown in order to legally invade Germany.

French forces did manage to push into Germnay as well, but refused to advace outside the range of the Maginot line's guns. The French, contrary to popular belief, had better tanks than Germany did. The Germany army of 1939 wasn't really ready for the conquest Hitler envisioned. It took several years for decent tanks to arrive in German hands; many German units were using Czech built tanks.

The war in the east originated in Japanese colonial expansion which was first made obvious in the Sino-Japanese war. Japan siezed the Korean pennisula and restarted its exspanison in the 1930's. War ensued with CHina, and Japan simultaneously invaded Southeast Asia where they threatened French and British colonies. This prompted the US to limit oil and other resource shipments to Japan, which caused them to try a suprise attack aimed at destroying the US navy; ie Pearl Harbor.

Answer 8

It depends on who you ask. USA did not join in the war till Peal Harbour. But Canada, and Europe were all ready fighting WWII ...1939-1945 Hitler was at the root of it, at the beginning. I dont know all of the particulars. sorry.

Answer 9

Hitler annexed Poland.

But it wasn't a 'World War' until the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor.

Answer 10

Hitler and Stalin decided to divide Poland between themselves.