1939 - the War that Had Many Fathers

Gerd Schultze-Rhonhof's "1939, the war that had many fathers: the long run-up to the Second World War" presents a controversial examination of the diplomatic and political circumstances that led to the outbreak of World War II. Published originally in German as "1939 - Der Krieg, der viele Väter hatte," this work challenges conventional narratives about the war's origins by examining the actions and policies of multiple nations in the interwar period.

The author, a retired German major general, brings a military historian's perspective to his analysis of the events between 1919 and 1939. Rather than focusing solely on Nazi Germany's aggressive expansionism as the primary cause of the war, Schultze-Rhonhof argues that the conflict resulted from a complex web of diplomatic failures, treaty provisions, and policy decisions made by various European powers. The title itself encapsulates this central thesis: that responsibility for the war's outbreak extended beyond a single nation or leader.

The book dedicates considerable attention to the Treaty of Versailles and its aftermath, examining how the harsh terms imposed on Germany after World War I created lasting resentments and economic hardships. Schultze-Rhonhof traces how these conditions influenced German foreign policy throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The author explores territorial disputes, minority rights issues, and the various diplomatic crises that punctuated the interwar years, presenting them as interconnected elements in a broader pattern of international tensions.

One of the work's distinguishing features is its detailed examination of British, French, Polish, and Soviet policies during this period. Schultze-Rhonhof scrutinizes diplomatic communications, treaty negotiations, and military preparations across multiple nations. He pays particular attention to the role of Poland in the immediate pre-war period and examines the various territorial and minority issues that complicated German-Polish relations. The book also addresses the strategic calculations of Britain and France as they attempted to manage the balance of power in Europe.

The author's military background informs his analysis of strategic considerations and military planning during the interwar years. He examines rearmament programs, alliance structures, and the military thinking that shaped national policies. This perspective adds depth to discussions of how various nations prepared for potential conflict and how military capabilities influenced diplomatic negotiations.

Schultze-Rhonhof's work has generated significant debate within historical circles. Critics have raised concerns about the book's interpretation of events and its implications for understanding responsibility for the war. The author's approach to examining multiple nations' roles in the war's outbreak has been viewed by some scholars as an attempt to relativize German responsibility, while others see it as a legitimate effort to understand the complex diplomatic landscape of the period. This controversy has made the book a subject of ongoing historical discussion.

The book relies heavily on diplomatic documents, memoirs, and archival sources from various nations. Schultze-Rhonhof presents extensive documentation to support his arguments, including correspondence between political leaders, military assessments, and official government communications. The depth of source material demonstrates the author's research efforts, though the interpretation of these sources remains contested among historians.

The narrative structure moves chronologically through the interwar period, connecting events and decisions across two decades. This approach allows readers to follow the progression of diplomatic crises and policy shifts that characterized the era. The author attempts to show how decisions made in the early 1920s had consequences that reverberated throughout the following years, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of war in 1939.

For readers interested in World War II's origins, this book offers a perspective that differs from mainstream historical accounts. It challenges readers to consider the diplomatic complexity of the interwar period and the various national interests that shaped European politics. However, the controversial nature of the author's thesis means that this work should be read alongside other historical accounts that provide different interpretations of the same events. The book represents one voice in a larger historical conversation about the causes of World War II, and engaging with multiple perspectives remains essential for understanding this pivotal period in world history.