Dan Snow's History Hit How WWII Started
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Sep 1, 2024 The podcast dives deep into the critical moments leading up to World War II, highlighting Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland as the spark of conflict. It examines the flawed appeasement strategies of Britain and France and the rise of extreme nationalism fueled by economic despair. The discussion also touches on Hitler's expansionist views and the parallels between Germany and Japan's imperial ambitions. Key events, cabinet meetings, and the complex alliances that shaped this devastating global clash are thoroughly explored.
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WW2 Outbreak Overview
- WW2 began with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.
- UK and France declared war two days later, marking the start of a devastating global conflict.
Root Causes of WW2
- The Second World War was caused by unresolved issues from WWI and aggressive imperial ambitions.
- A minority with desires for domination exploited modern states with great military and economic power.
Empires and War Legitimacy
- Empires were central structures of global power and seen as positive engines of development.
- Imperial competition made war legitimate and a built-in feature of international relations.