Causes of WW2 Flashcards
(21 cards)
When did Hitler start rearming?
1933
What reasons dis Hitler give for rearming (public vs truth)?
publicly: other countries wouldn’t disarm to Germany’s level
truth: decrease unemployment, menace TofV and strengthen Germany during GD
What was Britain’s response to Germany rearming?
they signed and Anglo-German Naval agreement allowing Germany to expand army
Why was Britain sympathetic of Germany rearming?
- they thought the TofV was harsh, Germany unable to protect itself
- good defense from communism
France’s response to Germany rearming?
did not support, did not do anything as Britain supported Germany
When did Hitler win the election to rule the Saar?
1935
What reasons did Hitler give for ruling the Saar?
LoN wanted elections to occur as said in Treaty, Hitler obeyed and ended up winning
What was Britain’s and France’s response towards Hitler ruling the Saar?
nothing - it was legal and according to the LoN and the TofV
When did Hitler rearm the Rhineland?
March 1936
What reasons did Hitler give for rearming the Rhineland?
defence: France and Russia had made an agreement to defend each other mutually from German attacks, said it threatened him
What did the UK, the LofN and France do in response to Hitler rearming the Rhineland?
LofN was concerned with Abyssinian Crisis
French leaders did not want war (did not know how weak Germany’s army was)
Britain thought he had the right to rearm
When did anschluss occur?
1938
What were the events leading to anschluss in 1938?
Hitler proposed anschluss to Austrian chancellor, Schuschnigg.
Britain and France did not respond to Schuschnigg’s appeals. Plebiscite held in presence of Nazi troops. 99.75 voted for anschluss. anschluss occurred.
What reasons did Hitler give for anschluss?
he encouraged Nazis in Austria to cause trouble and demand anschluss to govt. he used this to say it was the answer for peoples problems
What was B + F’s response to anschluss?
nothing, did not want risk of war.
Chamberlain made plans to improve army, increasing rearmament budget, planning for compulsory military service and prepared air raid defences
When did Hitler invade Poland?
Sept. 1st, 1939
What reasons did Hitler give for invading Poland?
reclaim Polish corridor, sign Nazi-Soviet pact to eliminate Russian threat if he invaded Poland
He did not think B + F would declare war as they said they would
What was B + F’s response to the Poland invasion?
declared war
What were the events in 1938 that led to Germany being given the Sudetenland?
Hitler claimed he would fight Czechoslovakia for Sudetenland if necessary (bluffing?)
Hitler at first demanded part of the Sudetenland, which Chamberlain thought was reasonable, but then bargained for more, which Chamberlain said was unreasonable
September: Munich Agreement, Hitler given all of Sudetenland, USSR+Czechs not consulted
What reason did Hitler give for wanting the Sudetenland?
the Czech gvt. was treating Sudeten Germans badly and he would save them
What was UK’s and France’s response to Hitler wanting the Sudetenland?
at first Chamberlain agreed to Hitler’s demands (only part of Sudetenland + with a plebiscite) but disagreed when Hitler increased his demands.
Either way, B + F + I + G signed Munich Agreement, giving Hitler all of Sudetenland
