Why was the great depression seen as one of the causes of world war 2?

The Great Depression severely weakened economies worldwide, leading to widespread unemployment and social unrest. This economic instability fostered the rise of extremist political movements, particularly in Germany and Italy, where leaders like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini capitalized on public discontent to gain power. The aggressive expansionist policies of these regimes, driven by a desire to restore national pride and economic strength, ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Thus, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression played a crucial role in setting the stage for global conflict.