Topic 3 - Hitler's foreign polic and the origins of the Second World War

Question 1

What was appeasement?

Answer 1

Britain’s policy - Britain did whatever Hitler wanted, to avoid war at all costs

Question 2

Reasons for appeasement

Answer 2

• Chamberlain believed Germany has good reason to be upset at some of the terms of the treaty of Versailles
• France supported it as it increased security with the building of the Maginot line
• Britain was still economically suffering from depression and could not afford rearmament
• Collapse of League of nations meant that something else was needed to keep the peace

Question 3

Name the prime minister of Britain

Answer 3

Chamberlain

Question 4

Reasons against appeasement

Answer 4

• It couldn’t work as Hitler could not be trusted since he already broke many promises since 1933
• This made Britain look weak and gave Hitler the confidence he wouldn’t be opposed by Britain

Question 5

Why was the USSR important is eastern Europe 1938-1939

Answer 5

• Only power that could have opposed Hitler successfully in the east
• were open in saying they supported an independent Czechoslovakia

Question 6

Why was he Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 unexpected?

Answer 6

• Germany and Russia had never previously got on

- One of Hitler’s aims was to defeat communism and Russia was communist

Question 7

What did the Nazi-Soviet Pact do?

Answer 7

• Freed up Hitler to invade Poland as he knew Britain would not oppose
• Previously the only thing stopping him had been Russia
• It ended Britain’s hopes to ally with Russia. They now knew war was going to happen

Question 8

How did the invasion of Poland lead to war?

Answer 8

• Hitler invaded Poland September 1st
• Britain + France declared war on 4th
• Russia invaded on 15th

Question 9

What were Hitler’s aims in foreign policy

Answer 9

• make Germany a great power again
• unite all German speaking people under his rule
• Gain more land for Germany

Question 10

Who is the Saar

Answer 10

The leader of Russia

Question 11

Why was the Saar returned to Germany in 1935

Answer 11

• To decide whether Germany should remain under the control of The league of Nations, return to German control, or to join France

Question 12

What was the result of the Saar

Answer 12

• 2% voted France
• 8% voted to Remain under control League of Nations
• 90% voted to re-join Germany

Question 13

What happened at the Munich Conference and agreement

Answer 13

• USSR and Czechoslovakia not invited
• Was about was to do with Czechoslovakia
• Hitler declared he wouldn’t go to war again

Question 14

What happened in 1939

Answer 14

The Czech president was forced to hand over Czechoslovakia to Hitler

Question 15

When was the Anglo-German Naval Agreement agreed?

Answer 15

1935

Question 16

What was the Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

Answer 16

• Britain allowed Germany to rearm behind France and Italy’s back
• Britain believed Germany had peaceful intentions

Question 17

What was the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Answer 17

• Hitler demanded his troops to march into the Rhineland despite thinking France would stop them

Question 18

Why did Britain and France not stop the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Answer 18

• Too concentrated on the Abyssinian crisis
• Britain did not believe they were doing anything wrong
• France would not act without Britain’s support

Question 19

How was the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland a threat to Peace

Answer 19

• It showed the League of Nations could not keep the peace