Economic and Political Instability: The 1930s were a time of global economic depression, which fueled political instability in many countries, including Italy, Germany, and Japan. The governments in these countries saw aggressive foreign policies as a way to deflect domestic attention away from economic problems and to strengthen their control over their populations.
Nationalism and Expansionism: Leaders in Italy, Germany, and Japan sought to expand their territories and gain more resources for their countries. They believed that they were entitled to a greater share of global influence and power and that they needed to take aggressive action to achieve their goals.
Militarism and a Desire for Revenge: These countries had a long history of militarism, and their military leaders often held significant political power. They saw aggressive foreign policies as a way to restore national pride, avenge past defeats, and build strong military forces.
Ideology and Extremist Regimes: The governments of Italy, Germany, and Japan were led by extremist regimes that held radical ideological beliefs. In Italy, Benito Mussolini pursued a fascist ideology emphasizing a strong state, national unity, and imperial expansion. In Germany, Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime promoted aggressive nationalism, anti-Semitism, and a belief in German racial superiority. In Japan, militarist leaders were influenced by the ideology of Shinto nationalism and the belief in the divine mission of the Japanese emperor to expand Japan's empire.
Lack of International Cooperation: The League of Nations, an international organization established after World War I to prevent future conflicts, proved ineffective in preventing the aggressive policies of Italy, Germany, and Japan. The weaknesses and lack of unity within the international community allowed these countries to pursue their expansionist goals with little resistance.