In "A Short History of World War II," author James L. Stokesbury discusses the implications of Germany's potential expansionist behavior on European stability. The tensions and alliances established after World War I were designed to prevent another large-scale conflict, yet the situation was precarious. If Germany were to pursue expansion, it would almost certainly compel France to respond militarily.

This scenario underscores the fragility of post-war alliances and the threat of war that lingered in the air. Stokesbury highlights that the very mechanisms intended to ensure peace were at risk of dragging nations into a new conflict, illustrating the complexities and dangers of international relations during that era.