Was Hitler or European Democracies responsible for the War in Europe?

This political cartoon appeared in a British newspaper in 1919. It shows Germany being spoon-fed peace terms, from the Treaty of Versailles, by the Big Four (US, Italy, Britain and France). The words "You've got to swallow it whether you like it or not!" show that the Big Four is forcing Germany to accept the terms and take full responsibility for causing WW2. I chose this source as it clearly illustrates how Germany was treated unfairly because of the Treaty, and this shows that the European Democracies were responsible for the War in Europe.

This photo shows the ruined buildings of Warsaw, Poland after World War II. It tells us that Europe was heavily damaged after the Germans invaded Poland in 1939. The photo shows how the buildings were badly destroyed and wrecked. I chose this source as it tells me how the European Democracies were not strong enough to protect themselves from the Germans' attack, which led them to have so many of their buildings and infrastructure destroyed. Therefore, the European Democracies were responsible for the War in Europe.

This 4 min video provides an overview of the various terms in the Treaty of Versailles. The video tells me that due to the terms issued by the Big Three, it made Germany very weak during the war. Germany was forced to accept guilt for starting the war and Germany's armed forces were to be heavily restricted. Furthermore, Germany was banned from conscription and constructing or owning of armored vehicles. Germany was also not allowed to join the League of Nations until it proved that it was a peace-loving country.

I chose this source because it showed how Germany was heavily punished by the Treaty of Versailles, and this led to many Germans feeling unfair, and that was why many Germans supported Hitler as he promised to help them. Thus, the European Democracies were responsible for the War in Europe.

This article shows the various ways that Hitler thinks can destroy a democracy, other than sending troops into the streets, storming radio stations, and arresting politicians. I chose this source as it tells me Hitler had the intention to destroy democracy, and therefore he caused the war and this shows that he was responsible for the War in Europe.

This 20 min video provides an overview of the plans Hitler wanted to carry out that eventually led to the outbreak of the war. The video explains how Hitler was certainly willing to use violent methods to achieve his political aims, such as setting up the SA and SS to beat up the political enemies of the party and break up their meetings in the Munich. The video also talked about how Hitler went against the Treaty of Versailles and Britain's warnings to Hitler.

I chose this source because it showed how Hitler's foreign policy aims to expand Eastwards to achieve Lebensraum (living space) made him responsible for the War in Europe.

This political cartoon shows Hitler stepping on a path formed by people who are called "spineless 'leaders' of democracy". The beginning of the path states the words "rearmament"and "Rhineland", while the end of the path states the words "boss of the universe". This shows us that Hitler is marching towards taking over Europe or forcing Germany's aggressive policies on the world. He is also shown to be making fun of the "spineless 'leaders' of democracy" and is Goose-stepping like the German soldiers.

I chose this source as it clearly showed how Hitler started small but is gradually increasing his power to take over Europe, even with the sacrifices of many people. Hitler's actions of not following the terms from the Treaty of Versailles show that he was responsible for the War in Europe.