World War II was the most global war in human history. Taking place all over the world, it inflicted more casualties on humanity than any other war. During the hostilities, numerous war crimes took place on all fronts, and even now the war remains an important topic in political discussions. The reasons for the beginning of this disaster are multiple and complicated. They are also very valid and concern all of the participating countries, which makes it possible to consider the war inevitable.
The first reason should be the actions of the country that started the war: Germany under Adolf Hitler. Under this leader, the country followed the radical ideology of Nazism. An integral part of the ideology was that ethnic Germans needed to be reunited in one country. Any opposition was suppressed, so the regime had a solid position. Thus, Germany aimed at expansion, even if it meant occupying other countries.
Yet Germany was not the only dictatorship that could play a role in the future war. Soviet Union’s social formation had developed under the ideology of communism and was antagonistic towards capitalism itself. Just before the beginning of the war, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had secured a non-aggression pact with Germany. An agreement to divide Poland between the two dictators was included in the pact. This ensured that Hitler would face little resistance from the east in case he attacked Poland.
However, despite obligations, the West was hesitant to oppose Hitler, too. Preventing war by peaceful means did not prove to be effective against him. By not paying enough attention to his actions, France and the United Kingdom allowed him to grow in power, both political and military. Their not stopping Hitler during the invasion of Austria, as well as concluding the Munich Agreement, assured him that the United Kingdom and France are not a threat. By September 1939, these matters were settled, allowing him to start the war.
Thus, the war was inevitable and would start sooner or later. By 1939, Germany had been expanding for some time and was expecting more expansion. The opposition in Germany was being silenced, while propaganda promised revenge after the loss in the First World War. The Soviet Union, under the leadership of Stalin, had plans of its own. Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom had missed their chances to stop Hitler early, which led to German empowerment in Europe.