Final answer:
Hitler identified the Jews as the "world enemy intending to destroy Germany." He promoted this belief in Mein Kampf, blaming them for many of Germany's problems. Despite Hitler's aggressive moves leading to WWII, European nations initially followed an appeasement policy, which allowed Nazi expansion until the invasion of Poland.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adolf Hitler identified the Jews as the "world enemy intending to destroy Germany." He espoused these views in his autobiography Mein Kampf, where he accused the Jews of being behind every disaster in German history, including Germany's defeat in World War I. Hitler's belief system was a central component of Nazi ideology which asserted that the Jewish people were responsible for the propagation of detrimental ideologies such as communism, capitalism, and democracy, among others. This formed the basis of the racial policies that led to the devastating events of the Holocaust and World War II.
During the years leading up to World War II, Hitler proceeded to violate the Treaty of Versailles by rebuilding Germany's military might and annexing territories. Despite the concerns some world leaders had about Hitler's actions, many followed a policy of appeasement, allowing for further expansion. Ultimately, this policy failed to prevent war, as made evident by the invasion of Poland in 1939, which signaled the start of the full-scale conflict.
Additionally, the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, recognizing the threat posed by Nazi Germany, entered into a non-aggression pact with Germany. This agreement, however, did not last as Hitler, driven by his ideology of conquering 'inferior' Slavic races, launched an invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, expecting it to be a swift victory. This act breached the Nazi-Soviet Pact and marked a turning point in the war.