WWII and the Creation of International Standards

In the 1930s Germany took the world by surprise with its decision to exterminate an entire race – the Jews. Led by Hitler and the Nazi party, Germany rose in power and used the Jews as a scapegoat. With his power fully consolidated, Hitler began invading other smaller countries. A confused and bewildered world looked on as Hitler committed terrible atrocities. Why hadn’t other countries like Britain, France, and the United States done something to curtail Hitler’s efforts from the beginning? Because these crimes had never been seen before, other powerful nations had no reference point for a course of action and instinctively remained inactive until they were attacked. The lack of enforced international standards for peace and justice allowed WWII to run its course and destroy the lives of many.

WWII began with the rise of the Nazi party through Hitler. Hitler’s success as an organizer and speaker led him to become the recognized leader of the extremist party. Although highly unpopular at first, economic downturn in the late 1920s and a struggling Weimer Republic caused the Nazi party to grow exponentially in popularity. By 1932, the Nazis had become the largest political party in all of Germany. WWII was then brought closer when the Allies appeased Hitler in hopes that another war could be evaded. In 1936, Hitler sent troops into the French-controlled Rhineland, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, hoping that the French and British would back down. They did just that. Hitler later admitted that he would have backed down if they had challenged him. This is a clear example of the lack of enforcement showed by the allies prior to the war. Their inability to enforce their own rules allowed Germany to get the foothold it needed to mount a war effort. From that point of time on out it was all downhill for the Germans in their march to world domination.

Without the opposition of big nations like Britain and the United States, the Nazis quickly decimated much of Europe, and were only stopped after huge losses on both sides. Millions died fighting, and at least six million Jews were murdered by means of efficient slaughter. The war was also responsible for the destruction of many cities and in some cases the effects of the war are still being felt generations down the road. The aftermath of the war inevitably led people to question what should be done with the remaining Nazis. Many wanted to simply hang every one of them, but instead the Nuremburg trials were created to give the Nazis in question a fair trial and an appropriate punishment. The Nazis were given lawyers and could defend themselves if they chose to. The trials at Nuremburg are an example of international justice because multiple countries partook in the prosecution and judgment of the Nazis at hand. The aftermath of the war shows how necessary it is to have international laws and enforce them. Had the allies fully enforced the Treaty of Versailles, WWII could have been avoided. The trails at Nuremburg provide a good example of how international law can be enforced when the stakes are low, but when the stakes are high nations are less ready to enforce international law.

WWII was caused not just by the Nazis, but also by the world’s inability to respond to the Nazis breaking international law. The Allies recognized the need for international law with the Treaty of Versailles, but they did not completely understand the importance of enforcing it. The Allies allowed an aggressive ruler to take control of a nation willing to support him. They allowed him to proceed unchecked, and by the time they realized their mistake, it was too late. The result was the demolition of much of Europe and its people, along with the near extermination of the entire Jewish race. The Allies showed how easy it is to make international law and not enforce it. Had the Allies offered just a little resistance, much of the war could have been avoided.