What problems from World War I helped contribute to the outbreak of World War II? First, after the war Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty said that Germany started the war, they lost territory, they have to pay reparations, and were forced to keep small military. There was also the Great Depression. This is when Germany’s economics were shrinking, economy was failing, unemployment was rising, banks failed, prices fell, and businesses stoped. The people were looking for a political leader to help them, so they voted Hitler. Hitler claimed that he would help them, but he started to build a secret military and make more weapons. Then Germany invaded Czechoslovakia. France and Britain weren’t prepared for war so they let it slide. Then Germany invaded Poland. This time France and Britain were tired of Germany breaking the treaty, so they declared war and World War II started.