Ch4 Outbreak Of WWII in Europe Flashcards
Reasons for the outbreak of WWII
WEAKNESSES OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
FAILURE OF DISARMAMENT
success of rearmament was reliant on individual major European countries instead of the LON, when LON attempted to organise disarmament conferences, major powers refused to cooperate.
general unwillingness to disarm -> made countries less able to defend against attacks + distrust between powers who wanted to ensure they had ability to protect their own national interests
- World Disarmament Conference (Geneva) [ 1932-1934 ]
exposed LON hypocrisy
- Kellogg-Briand’s Pact
failure to disarm meant powerful countries had military capacity for war but nothing to stop them from conflicts
UK, France weakened by WWI, GD saw their own nation as more important than LON
[ Lack of cooperation meant no meaningful progress was made in disarmament. By 1930s, distrust amongst powers and not working together contributed to atmosphere of distrust and tension-> WWII ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII
WEAKNESSES OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
FAILURE TO DEAL WITH AGGRESSORS
USA not in LON, lack of authority, weak to stop acts of aggression
when talks, economic sanctions failed, the next course of action often military-> LON no army, solely relied on coop of members-> unwilling to lose lives for conflicts not directly involved in/unimportant to them
unable to Ensure decisions made regarding aggressors were enforced, no checks were made, war likely
countries acted independently, cast aside collective security for their interests
-Abyssinian Crisis [ 1934-1935 ]
Italy prepared to invade Abyssinia-> appealed to LON for help-> LON held talks-> Italy unfazed, began full scale invasion into Abyssinia-> LON placed partial sanctions on rubber, metal (Br, Fr, I allies under Stresa Front, did not want to make an enemy of Italy/push Italy into alliance with G)-> Italy sought G help, took over full control over Abyssinia by May 1936
signalled that LON unable to deter aggressors, not strong enough to protect countries from attacks
[ LON lost credibility with members, countries began to rearm instead of relying on LON, emboldened countries with expansionist plans about seizing territories ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(REARMAMENT & CONSCRIPTION) 1933
Nazis took steps to abolish TOV
After Fr objected to G’s demands at GDC, Hitler used objection as excuse to withdraw from GDC and LON
Hitler acted to increase G’s military ability in order to achieving expansionist aims
Under TOV G navy, army capabilities were severely limited-> G instituted compulsory conscription in 1933, by 1935 Germany had a 300,000 strong army
Hitler emphasised that Allies had a stronger military than G, due to pacifist mood, Allies only made verbal protests, no sanctions placed
Br who favoured appeasement, signed Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935, allowed G to build up 30% of any ships Br had -> sending message that G can violate TOV with Br permission
[ emboldened Hitler, who now had the capability to be more aggressive in his foreign policy, brought Europe closer to war ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(REMILITARISATION OF RHINELAND) 1936
Rhineland previously demilitarised under TOV to act as a buffer zone, stated that Allied troops would reoccupy ares if G violated TOV
On 7 March 1936, G troops marched to Rhineland, ordered to retreat if they were fired upon ( Hitler used excuse that Franco-Soviet Alliance threatened G, was sure Br would sympathise ) -> not opposed as claimed they were marching into its own backyard
Hitler started building up forces in Rhineland in preparation for War in late 1930s
[ Gave Hitler confirmation that he could challenge the TOV that was meant to maintain peace in Europe ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(INVOLVEMENT IN SPANISH CIVIL WAR) 1937
Hitler sent soldiers, equipment, war planes to support Spanish Nationalist Forces -> raided several cities, caused heavy civilian casualties
involvement meant to divert Br, Fr from his expansionist plans in Eastern Europe + allowed him to test army and Air Force while fighting communists
LON took no action ( Hitler pointed out the perils of communist involvement on Republican side of conflict, played on common fear of communism )
Hitler portrayed himself as a defender against communism
-signed Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan in 1936
added to perception that Western powers could trust Hitler
[ Lack of intervention strengthened Hitler’s view that the Allies were too weak to stop him ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(ANSCHLUSS WITH AUSTRIA) 1938
TOV did not allow for Anschluss after WWI although many Austrians wanted to
Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazis to make trouble and push for Anschluss with G-> pressured Austrian chancellor to agree ( would be the only way to stop riots in Austria )-> reluctantly called for referendum to see if it was supported-> ( 12 Mar 1938 Hitler sent troops to keep order during voting ) 99.75% voted for Anschluss, Austria annexed-> G achieved Austria without conflict
[ strengthened Hitler’s position, G now biggest and most powerful country, Austria’s gold and iron ore, army and weapons now Hitler’s-> Hitler a bigger threat, gave him greater confidence ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(SUDETENLAND CRISIS) Sept 1938
Hitler was aiming to achieve takeover of Czechoslovakia
population of Sudetenland area in Cz mainly German
under Nazi influence, Germany’s demanded to be a part of G, Hitler threatened to go to a war ( Hitler gambled that Br would not risk war despite Cz having modern army, Fr, Br and USSR verbally promising to support Cz )
Br wanted to avoid war-> urged Cz Govt to compromise, let Hitler occupy parts of Sudetenland with majority German population
In the end, all of Sudetenland given to Hitler under Munich Agreement
[ most of Cz defences UN Sudetenland, paved way for Hitler to invade all of Cz by March 1939 ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(NAZI-SOVIET NON AGGRESSION PACT) Aug 1939
Hitler targeted Poland but could not afford two-front war with USSR if USSR got involved
Stalin wary of a Hitler who openly hated communism
N-S Pact signed on 23 Aug 1939, started G and USSR would not attack each other, secret clause that divided Poland between them
[ Pact prompted Hitler to take steps to invade Poland since he need not worry about fighting USSR on Eastern front while fighting Allies on Western front ]
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
HITLER’S EXPANSIONIST POLICY
(INVASION OF POLAND) Sept 1939
Hitler had demanded for Danzig, which had a majority German population, to be a part of G
Polish leaders distrusted Hitler, feared loss of independence-> in March 1939, Br, Fr signed mutual defence treaty with Poland, promise to come to aid if G invaded ( Br and Fr ended policy of appeasement )-> major war likely as powers would be involved to fight against G
On 29 August 1939, Hitler demanded for Danzig&Polish corridor
Br, Fr willing to resume negotiations but negotiations went awry and Hitler invaded Poland on 1 Sept 1939
Br and Fr declared war on G on 3 Sept 1939
Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
POLICY OF APPEASEMENT
provided Hitler with time to rearm + emboldened Hitler
Br, Fr did not deliberately stop G from disobeying TOV, merely condemned rearmament (+ all the other examples)
by failing to check a Hitler when G was still weaker than them, it gave him time to rebuild his army until it was strong enough to launch war in Europe
lack of effective counter action made Hitler confident of his ability to take over land and resources in Europe and breaching the TOV
Reasons for Policy of appeasement
FEAR OF ANOTHER MAJOR WAR
WWI had huge impact on Br and Fr, economically, psychologically and physically devastated-> public disgust towards war + effects of GD on economies made rearmament difficult
both countries were democracies-> had to take public opinion into account, war was unpopular
lack of interest shown during remilitarisation when Rhineland remilitarised, public support for Munich Agreement
[ difficult for Politicians to act firmly and decisively in face of G aggression as it could lead to another war which the public did not support ]
Reasons for Policy of appeasement
BUYING TIME TO REARM
Western countries militarily unprepared for war
after WWI, Europe was disarmed
Br had to protect her empire in case of armed conflict, feared that Hitler’s allies would strike Br imperial interest if Br went to war
LON ineffective in resolving conflict, unable to be relied on to prevent outbreak of war ( adopted policy of appeasement )
military unpreparedness made it best to appease G until Europe was rearmed as standing up to G or Mussolini would have caused war and potential defeat
Reasons for Policy of appeasement
SYMPATHY FOR GERMANY
people in Br thought the TOV had been too harsh on G, did not object
building up of armed forces: keep G defences intact
ambitions towards Austria, Cz, Polish corridor: keeping with principle of nationalism
[ emboldened Hitler to wage war based on idea of self-determination ]
Reasons for Policy of appeasement
MISUNDERSTANDING OF HITLER
Chamberlain encouraged Cz to surrender to G during Sudetenland crisis, believed Hitler could be reasoned with
wrongly believed Hitler’s aims were to revise the TOV instead of abolishing it
believe Hitler would cease making demands once he controlled Sudetenland but Hitler repeatedly made promises to Chamberlain and then broke them
when Cz could no longer agree to Hitler’s demands, Br and Fr surrendered for them Sudetenland to Hitler through Munich Agreement
Reasons for Policy of appeasement
FEAR OF COMMUNISM
strong and united G perceived to be able to act as buffer against communism
Hitler strongly opposed to communism ( Anti-Comintern Pact, banning communist party in G and put its leaders in concentration camps )
western powers believed that allowing Hitler to rebuild G strength would create a strong opponent of communism and the USSR, potential ally against communism to reduce threat of communism spreading across Europe-> did not stop Hitler’s military actions in Eastern Europe
