After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles basically crippled Germany.  The treaty had the effect of destroying Germany's economy and stifling its military. Germany also lost vital portions of land as a result of the treaty.  By 1930, Germany was like a sick animal that was cornered by more powerful and hungry animals.  Its only response was to act out.  The crippling effect of the war reparations on Germany's economy and political situation forced the Germans to look towards political extremism as an answer to their problems.  As a result, Adolf Hitler rose to power utilizing the election system.  His solution to the economic woes of Germany was to disregard the Treaty of Versailles and increase the military capacity of Germany.  The end result was that Germany was able to take back lands it lost by force.  The striking early success of victories in the Sudetenland and Austria demonstrated to Hitler and his people that the German Empire could be restored through militarism and conquest.  In short, Germans felt their economic and political survival depended on military success.