The Causes of the Second World War

The Second World War was the greatest conflict in history. This book provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the causes of the war, ideal for all students of the period. The author charts the complex route from the creation of the Versailles and Washington Systems after the First World War to their linkage and ultimate collapse following the rise of right-wing nationalism in Germany and Italy and the emergence of the phenomenon of 'double patriotism' in Japan. The book locates the subject in the context of 150 years of world history, and incorporates the latest research, including, for instance, new assessments of America's pre-war relationship with Europe. It assesses the role of the different players on the international political scene providing, in particular, a new perspective on the centrality of Anglo-German relations during the inter-war years. Throughout the book, the author balances overview and detail within his narrative account, weaving into the wider world context the manifold local struggles that contributed to the vast scale of the war.