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[[File:Adolf_Hitler_Portraet.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Portrait of Adolf Hitler in 1933]]The National Socialist ideology was premised on the idea that the German people were ‘the master race’ and they were biologically superior to other people. It was genuinely believed that Germans were physically mentally and morally superior to races such as the Slavs in Eastern Europe. This led to the belief that the German people should dominate the other races in Europe. The party’s leader preached that other races such as the Jews were determined to prevent the German people from achieving their destiny.<ref> Paxton, Robert (2005). ''The Anatomy of Fascism''. London: Penguin Books Ltd., p 123</ref> Their ideology also demanded that all Germans live in a German state and they wanted all non-Germans expelled from Germany. The Nazi National Socialists believed that the German people had the right to ‘living space’ in order to create a great nation. The Nazi’s saw international relations as a struggle for power and that only the strongest nations would survive. As a result, they rejected all forms of international law and ignored the League of Nations, the precursor of the United Nations. Their ideology, under reflecting a perverse and distorted version of the influence of beliefs advanced by the German philosopher Nietzsche, developed a moral code where strength was admirable and that might was always right. Because the National Socialist Party leaders’ worshiped power and strength they admired war and believed is was necessary for the good of the nation.<ref>Paxton, p. 117.</ref> Hitler firmly believed that his nation’s greatness would be determined by its military strength.
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Admin moved page What steps did Germany take to start the Second World War in Europe? to What steps did Germany take to start the Second World War in Europe
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[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R69173,_Münchener_Abkommen,_StaatschefsAdolf_Hitler_Portraet.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px250px|Neville Chamberlain, Edouard Daladier, left|Portrait of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Graff Galeazzo Ciano before Munich Agreement Sept. 9, 1938in 1933]]
The second world war (1939-1945) was the most destructive war in human history. It is believed that between 35 and 50 million people died in the conflict.<ref> Bell, P. M. H. (1986). ''The Origins of the Second World War in Europe''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 326.</ref> There are many causes of this conflict, including nationalism and the failure of the League of Nations, but ultimately the primary cause of the greatest conflict in human history was National Socialist Party's ideology and Germany's aggressive policies.
====National Socialist Ideology====
====Rearmament and Expansionism====
Hitler had achieved power by constitutional means in 1933. He soon established an authoritarian state with himself as the all-powerful leader or Führer. The German government was determined to end the Treaty of Versailles. Their ideology encouraged government to embark on two policies that greatly destabilized Europe and led directly to war. These were military rearmament and territorial expansion.<ref>Hillgruber, Andreas (1995). ''Germany and the Two World Wars'', translated by William C. Kirby, Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, p. 67.</ref>
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Under the Treaty of Versailles, the German army was limited to 100,000 men. After 1933, the Germany ignored these limitations and expanded the military. The country also began an ambitious rearmament program. This at first did not alarm other nations but as the German army and navy grew in numbers they became extremely worried. This was especially the case after the German army occupied the Rhineland, which was technically, under a de-militarized zone. Hitler was technically breaking international law but the western allies were reluctant to challenge Germany over their rearmament program. Rearmament was a key component of the National Socialist's policy. The growing might of Germany alarmed its neighbors and by 1939 there was a full blown arms race throughout Europe and various nations were readying for war.
====Conclusion====
In the 1930s Europe was very unstable. The rise of fascism and the ascent of Nazis in Germany destabilized Europe. Their racist and nationalistic ideology meant that they believed other nations and people were their enemies. More importantly,the Nazis promoted a toxic belief that Germans were the ‘master race’ and above any international laws or moral standards. These beliefs pushed them towards war with Europe.
====References====
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