Updated and expanded throughout to take into consideration the most up-to-date historical research, this new edition of The Origins of the Second World War analyzes the reasons for the outbreak of the Second World War. Experienced historian Ruth Henig considers: * the long-term factors that led to war* the effect of British appeasement policies* the significance of American isolation* the ambitions of Italy, Japan and Russia. The Origins of the Second World War brings one of the most controversial historical topics to life for a whole generation of students and scholars seeking to understand the reasoning and events behind this major event in world history.