What social influences or conditions led Germany to WW2?

Answer 1

This is a vastly complex issue that cannot easily be answered. Entire college courses are taught on the subject, and countless books have been written examining it. There is much debate. A few of the facts are below, but by no means are intended to provide a complete answer:

• The punitive measures of the Treaty of Versailles.
  • Germany was forced to accept blame for the cause of WW1 - Article 231
  • Germany was forced to make huge land concessions (Alsace and Lorraine) and 15 year occupation of the Rhineland (that did not end)
  • Natural Resources were plundered, especially from the Saar basin, and sent to France.
  • Germany was forced to disarm.
  • Article 119 separated the colonies of Germany and redistributed them to France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan; and, Germany lost all holdings in Africa.
  • War reparations 226 billion marks, reduced to 132 billion in 1920 (equal to £284 billion or $442 billion US in 2012) that would have paid out until 1988.
• The Great Collapse - Depression.
• Run away inflation.
• French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr region in January 1923 as punishment for German's failure to pay reparations.

Answer 2

The USA was attacked by Japan (at Pearl Harbor Hawaii), on Sunday Dec. 7, 1941. Germany declared war on the USA a few days later.