A contrast between the outbreaks of both wars is that of militarism. Before the First World War, there was a sudden rush to build up the strongest army especially in Germany. The reason for this was because of the sudden industrial boom. The Germans in particular were able to increase their military expenditure by 300%, again adding to the tensions between the European countries. This is similar with the outbreak of the Second World War. After the First World War, Woodrow Wilson wrote up fourteen points, which he felt would help to maintain the peace of Europe. Point number four stated “Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety”. In other words the world was required to disarm. This was a clause of the Treaty of Versailles. However between 1933 and 1935, the Germans secretly increased their army strength to three hundred thousand troops. The increasing size of the German army was further helped by the re-introduction of conscription in 1935. This swelled their ranks to 550,000 troops.
A contrast between the causes of both wars can be seen in the rise of Hitler. Between the years of 1924 to 1934, the Germans saw Adolf Hitler come to power, and take over as the dictator. The reason for his climb to power was as a result of the Paris Peace Treaty. The treaty, (signed in 1919) forced the Germans to pay large reparations and take complete blame for the war. Needless to say, this caused an immense feeling of hatred towards the German government. When Hitler began his election campaign, he promised that he would overturn the harsh terms. Obviously, this appealed to the German citizens. Contrasting to this, was the First World War. By this, I mean that there was no rise to power by a powerful man in any country, adding to tensions between the countries.
Also, another contrast was that of the state of each countries economy. Before World War one broke out, each economy was in one of the strongest positions ever. However, the inter-war period between the first and second world wars was economically crippling. The United States of America loaned huge amounts to Germany to pay off the compensation forced upon them. Also, as well as the Germans, many other countries had huge debts which had to be paid off. All economic climates worsened. In America, the Great Depression occurred in 1929 and lasted until 1930. American loans were recalled, and the over-production of basic foods, (e.g. wheat in the USA and the USSR) affected other farming economies.
Another difference between the causes of both wars is the trigger. The spark to ignite the First World War was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whereas for the Second World War, it was the invasion of Poland by the Germans.
A similarity between both outbreaks of war can be seen in the growth of the army. Before World War one, all countries were building bigger and stronger weapons and armies. Although it was against the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, the Germans rearmed.
As well as this similarity, tensions appeared to be steaming between various countries. This is very much like the anxiety between countries before the First World War. In 1933-36 (towards the beginning of the Second World War), tensions were mounting in the League of Nations, (which had been established as one of Wilson’s fourteen points, and had been implemented in April 1919). The reason for this was Japan’s illegal invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and their desire to conquer China in 1936. Also, Germany’s rearmament and gain of the Saar Valley and the Rhineland. Mussolini took over the Abyssinia in 1936, showing the participants in the League of Nations, that they really had no control over any countries. This led to Britain and France adopting a policy of appeasement in the late 1930s. These tensions can also been seen before the First World War. The sudden desire to have the most powerful army/navy etc is due to tensions between various countries. (In particular, Germany, Britain and France.) Similarly, the tensions between the Serbs and the Austrians can be argued to be the trigger, which began the First World War! It was the tensions between these two countries also, which led to the July crisis.
All in all, I believe there are more differences between the causes of the First and Second World Wars then there are similarities. Although some parallels can be drawn, they are somewhat implausible. By this, I mean that the only real similarity I can see is that of the rearmament of certain countries, and vaguely some tensions between themselves.
