WOrld War II question?

Question

how significant was nationalism in causing world war II, RELATIVE to other factors (and what were these factors?)

Answer 1

The impelling force in Germany's aggression can be summed up in a German phrase: "Eine Volk, Eine Fuhrer, Eine Deutschland" (One people, one leader, one Germany). That's pretty nationalistic. The impelling force behind Japan's aggresive moves in Asia derived from the Tanaka Plan of 1924 which foresaw a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere under the leadership of Japan. That course of action was permissible because it fit the precept of "Kokutai" (National Essence): The Japanese are one large family and the head of that family is His Majesty the Emperor. If that national essence demands that something should be done, then it is done.
The other important factor was "Lebesraum" (living space) in order to provide relief to the overcrowding in Germany and give Germany access to other lands and their resources. The important factor for Japan was to secure dominion over natural and industrial resources that were not present in Japan.