Y4 History_Hitler's Aggression sample essay

SAMPLEESSAY “HitlerwasresponsiblefortheoutbreakofWWII.” Howfardoyouagreewiththisstatement?[25m] INTRODUCTIONThe statement given suggests that Hitler and his actions were mainly responsible for startingWorld War II (unpack the question). There could havebeennowar without Hitler. It wasHitler’svision of Lebensraum (Living Space), Union of all ethnic Germans to establish a GreaterGermany and determination to reverse the Versailles settlement which led to war. Hitlerconsciously built up Germany’s army and weapons with theintentionof takingit towar. At eachstage of the road to war from1936 to 1939, it washisbeliefs, actions, anddecisionsthat ledtothe outbreak of World War II. However, it would be rather myopic to place the blame fully onHitler asBritainandFrancewereunwillingtouseviolencetostophisaggression.there were opportunities provided through the Appeasement policy for Hitler to achieve hisforeignpolicyaimsbygivingintohisdemands.The Appeasement policy caused Britain and France toturnawayfromcollectivesecuritybasedon common interests. (Alternate perspective), It also brought about inaction fromthe Allies toeffectively counter Hitler’saggression. Hitler wasemboldenedtogofurther inhisexpansionwitheach successful step he took inhisaggressiveforeignpolicy. ThisescalatedtensionsinEuropeand threatened peace in the 1930s as it eventually led to the outbreak of WWII in Europe in1939.Overall, my stand is that Hitler was the main driving force for the outbreak of WWII andAppeasement wasanattempt tolimit Hitler’sseriousactsof aggressionbut failed. GIVENPERSPECTIVEPREMISE1Hitler's foreign policy was based on the concept ofLebensraum,or"livingspace," which hebelieved was necessary for the German people to thrive. To achieve this, Hitler sought toexpand German territory and influence throughout Europe and beyond, which ultimately led tomilitary conflict. Hitler began to pursue his foreign policygoalsalmost immediatelyafter comingto power in 1933. He first withdrewGermanyfromtheLeagueof Nations, which was aninternational organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperationamong nations. Hitler also began tore-armGermanyinviolationoftheTreatyofVersailles,which limited the size and capabilities of the German military after World War I. In 1936, Hitlerordered the German army toreoccupytheRhineland, which was a demilitarizedzonebetweenGermany and France. This move violated the Treaty of Versailles and alarmed theFrenchandBritishgovernments,buttheychosenottorespondwithmilitaryforce. ThisemboldenedHitler topursue further territorial gains. In1938,HitlerannexedAustriaintoGermany, whichwasknownas the Anschluss. This violated the Treaty of Versailles and was another step towards Hitler'sgoal of creating a greater German empire. Later that year, Hitler demanded thecessionoftheSudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a large German-speaking population. When theCzechoslovakian government refused, Hitler threatened war, and the Munich Agreement was