German foreign policy 1933-40 Flashcards
(145 cards)
1
Q
Give an overview of Hitler and Nazi Germany between 1933 and 38
A
- Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 and quickly established a single-party state.
- By 1938, he had total power. His foreign policy, based on fascist ideology, became more aggressive as he became more powerful.
2
Q
Describe the implementation of the Gleichschaltung
A
In 1933, Hitler and the Nazi Party implemented the policy of Gleichschaltung, meaning ‘making the same’ in German, merging the government with the party.
3
Q
What were the effects of the implementation of the policy of Gleichschaltun?
A
- Banning all political parties except the Nazi Party
- Abolishing labour unions
- Filling governing organizations and offices with Nazi Party officials
- Giving all police power to the Schutzstaffel, SS.
4
Q
Give examples of how Hitler consilidated power between 1933 and 38
A
- Hitler and the Nazi Party implemented the policy of Gleichschaltung, meaning ‘making the same’ in German, merging the government with the party.
- Hitler also eliminated threats to his power from members of the Nazi Party.
- In 1934, he executed his most serious rivals within the party.
Only the German army evaded his control, where the conservative nobility, who made up the officer corps, did not trust Hitler.
-By 1938, the top commanders had been replaced with men loyal to Hitler. He now controlled the army.
5
Q
How did Hitler’s consolidation of power between 1933 and 1938 impact his confidence?
A
With each increase in power, Hitler felt more confident challenging the limitations of the Treaty of Versailles.
6
Q
Give an overview of Nazi Germany’s economy between 1933 and 39
A
The Nazis’ early economic policies focused on the problems caused by the Great Depression.
7
Q
When was the ‘New Plan’ introduced?
A
1934
8
Q
Who introduced the ‘New Plan’?
A
Hjalmar Schacht, German Minister of Economics
9
Q
What was the ‘New Plan’?
A
- This gave more power to the government to control the economy.
- Germany only traded with countries if their exports were equal to or greater in value than their imports.
- Trade increased with states that exported raw materials to Germany and bought German manufactured goods.
10
Q
What were the effects of the ‘New Plan’?
A
Trade increased with states that exported raw materials to Germany and bought German manufactured goods:
- Food became cheaper in Germany.
- More money became available to use for rearmament.
- Increased trade with central and eastern European states made them rely economically, and therefore politically, on Germany.
11
Q
How quickly did Germany’s economy recover in the 1930s compared to that of other states?
A
Germany’s economy recovered more quickly than other states.
12
Q
What did Germany’s quick economic recovery in the 1930s allow and why?
A
Because Britain and France relied on imperial preference, this allowed Germany to increase its political influence throughout the rest of Europe.
13
Q
How did the New Plan turn out?
A
- The New Plan had been designed to strengthen Germany’s economy, but pressure caused increasing spending on military priorities.
- Schacht wanted to stay focused on the economy.
14
Q
When was the Four Year Plan introduced?
A
1936 (1936-39)
15
Q
What was the aim of the Four Year Plan?
A
- The government hoped to gain greater self-sufficiency.
- This would reduce Germany’s vulnerability to embargoes and blockades like the one in the First World War.
- However, the main goal was to support rearmament.
16
Q
Who led the Four Year Plan?
A
Hermann Goering
17
Q
What does the historian Richard Overy believe about the Four Year Plan?
A
That it was designed to prepare Germany for war, probably sometime in the 1940s
18
Q
What were the effects of the Four Year Plan?
A
- German military production increased, but it contributed to inflation.
- Some historians argue that political pressure from workers and economic problems were a major cause of Germany going to war in 1939.
19
Q
Why was German rearmament needed after WW1?
A
The Treaty of Versailles greatly restricted Germany’s military.
20
Q
Why was Germany vulnerable after 1919?
A
- Germany was disarmed, but the countries that bordered it, France and Poland, had large armies and formed an alliance.
- France also formed the Little Entente with Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia in 1920 and 1921.
- Many Germans felt encircled.
21
Q
What factors exacerbated the vulnerability of Germany after 1919?
A
- When France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr region to enforce reparations payments, the German sense of vulnerability increased.
- Growing concerns over an industrializing Soviet Union added to Germany’s desire to defend itself.
22
Q
What was the World Disarmament Conference and when did it take place?
A
- The League of Nations held a World Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1932.
- The goal was to decrease the size of armies.
23
Q
How did the World Disarmament Conference actually turn out?
A
- France refused to reduce its military without a security guarantee from Britain and the USA.
- Both countries refused. France’s insistence on a large army increased Germany’s desire for rearmament.
- Germany left the conference and soon withdrew from the League of Nations.
24
Q
When did Germany begin rearmament?
A
March 1935
25
German rearmament (which started in 1935) violated ___
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles
26
Describe German rearmament (starting in 1935)
Germany:
- Began conscription
- Established a large air force
- Expanded the navy.
27
What was the state of Germany's army by 1939 and how was this different from other countries?
- By 1939, Germany had a large army, air force and military arms production capability.
- During this time, the Great Depression caused most countries to limit military spending.
28
When was the Stresa Front created?
April 1935
29
What was the Stresa Front?
- A front created by the leaders of Britain, France, and Italy in response to Germany's rearmament.
- They condemned German violations of the Treaty of Versailles and agreed to cooperate with regard to Germany.
30
What were the limitations of the Stresa Front?
Because of the Great Depression, none of the countries had the ability to act militarily against Germany.
31
How did Hitler respond to the creation of the Stresa Front?
He gave assurances that he had no aggressive intentions
32
What was France's response to German rearmament?
- Although France was a great military power, it sought a new ally.
- Britain and Poland were not reliable. In May 1935, France and the Soviet Union signed the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assurance.
33
What did France and the Soviet Union agree to in the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assurance?
They agreed to:
- Work through the League of Nations for peace
- Aid each other in case of conflict.
34
Describe Britain's rearmament after WW1 and its response to German rearmament
- Following the First World War, there was little support for rearmament.
- Economic problems from the Great Depression strengthened this reluctance.
- Germany’s decision to rearm changed British attitudes towards rearmament.
- Britain began rearmament on a large scale.
- Military spending increased by over 600% between 1935 and 1939.
35
Give an overview of the political situation in Germany between 1933 and 35
- Between 1933 and 1935, Hitler had a cautious foreign policy.
- Germany’s economy and military was weak.
- Politically, Hitler was consolidating his power.
36
Give examples of Nazi philosophy and beliefs that influenced German foreign policy
- Completely revising the Treaty of Versailles
- Pan-Germanism or all Germans should live in Germany
- Anti-communism
- Germany needed living space or lebensraum
- Germans were a superior race destined to conquer and rule non-German inferior races
- Democracy created weak states
- Germany needed strong leadership.
37
When was the Polish–German Non-Aggression Pact signed?
January 1934
38
What was agreed to at the Polish-German Non-Agression Pact of 1934?
- Both countries agreed not to attack each other for a period of ten years.
- Poland felt it had little to fear from Germany.
39
Why did Poland feel it had little to fear from Germany (at the Polish-German Non-Agression Pact in 1934?
Poland:
- Possessed a large army
- Had an alliance with France
- Worried more about the Soviet Union.
40
Why did Germany benefit from the Polish-German Non-Agression Pact?
Germany:
- Could rearm without fear about Poland
- Had weakened the alliance between France and Poland
- Would lead to more trade with Poland, a source of food and metals.
41
What was France's reaction to the Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact?
- France was furious with Poland.
- Their alliance and trust was weakened.
- But, France could do little about it.
- The non-aggression pact may have been a cause of France seeking better relations with the Soviet Union.
42
What was the Soviet Union's response to the Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact?
- Favourable relations had existed between Germany and the Soviet Union since the Rapallo Treaty established diplomatic relations in 1922. Trade and limited military cooperation soon developed. This cooperation continued after the Nazis came to power.
- The Polish–German Non-Aggression Pact ended all cooperation. The Soviets worried about Poland concentrating military forces on their border and a potential alliance between Germany and Poland.
- The Soviet Union joined the League of Nations in September 1934 and worked to create positive relations with other countries.
43
Describe the relationship between Austria and Germany in 1934
- Pan-Germanism appealed to many in Austria and Germany, including Hitler who was born in Austria.
- Political instability in Austria may have led to the desire for stability offered by Germany.
- In June 1934, Hitler discussed with Mussolini the idea of making Austria a German satellite state.
- Mussolini rejected this idea. Hitler encouraged the Austrian Nazi Party to stage a coup.
- This led to the Stresa Front. Germany was too weak to intervene militarily.
44
What was the Saar?
The Saar was an iron- and coal-rich region in Germany administered by the League of Nations
45
When was the Saar plebiscite?
January 1935
46
What was the outcome of the Saar Plebiscite?
More than 90% of Saar residents voted to join Germany.
47
When was the Anglo-German Naval Treaty signed?
June 1935
48
What was Britain's thinking in regard to the Anglo-German Naval Treaty?
- Britain considered Germany had legitimate concerns, but should be limited militarily.
- For Britain, the treaty accomplished these goals by limiting Germany’s navy to 35% of Britain’s navy.
49
What was France's and Italy's reaction to the Anglo-German Naval Treaty?
- France and Italy judged the treaty as encouraging German rearmament.
- The Stresa Front was seriously weakened and then collapsed with Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia later in 1935.
50
How did the situation in Germany change between 1936 and 39?
- Germany’s improved economy and strengthened military encouraged Hitler to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy.
- Hitler benefited from other developments as well.
51
What benefits did Hitler benefit from between 1936 and 39 (other than military and economic strength)?
- Britain was sympathetic to many of Germany’s goals.
- France and Britain could not agree how to respond to German actions.
- Few countries would cooperate with the Soviet Union.
- Italy developed a favourable foreign policy towards Germany.
52
Why had the Rhineland been demilitarized and what was the German sentiment around this?
- The Treaty of Versailles created a demilitarized Rhineland, German territory bordering France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Germany’s inability to defend the Rhineland was one of the sources of humiliation.
- Demilitarization made Germany vulnerable to attack.
53
What caused Hitler to remilitarize the Rhineland?
Hitler saw the political turmoil from the Abyssinian Crisis as an opportunity to act in the Rhineland.
54
When was the Rhineland remilitarized?
March 1936
55
Describe the events that led up to the remilitarization of the Rhineland
- Hitler saw the political turmoil from the Abyssinian Crisis as an opportunity to act in the Rhineland.
- In December 1935, he ordered the German army to create an occupation plan.
- Diplomatically, Germany argued that the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assurance altered the Locarno treaties, permitting Germany to alter other agreements.
56
Describe the German occupation and remilitarization of the Rhineland
- On 7 March 1936, German troops reoccupied and therefore remilitarized the Rhineland.
- They were few in number in order to minimize France’s reaction.
57
Why were the Germans few in number in their occupation of the Rhineland?
To minimize France's reaction.
58
Describe the French response to Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland
France did not respond.
- Germany did not violate the French border.
- The French army believed Germany would not attack through the Rhineland.
- Military plans prepared for a defensive war and therefore had no plans to invade Germany, even if the Rhineland was remilitarized.
- France refused to fight Germany alone.
- Military spending increased.
59
Describe the British response to Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland
Britain:
- Reassured France of support should Germany invade
- Viewed the occupation as Germany walking in its ‘own back garden’
- Believed it removed one of Germany’s grievances against France and Britain, and therefore
- Hoped Germany would become more cooperative.
60
As a result of Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland, revision of the ___
- Treaty of Versailles became acceptable.
| - Germany was emerging as a major economic and military power.
61
When did Germany end diplomatic isolation?
1936
62
Why did Germany and Italy begin forging a closer relationship?
- The Abyssinian Crisis made Italy a diplomatically isolated country like Germany.
- Both countries were fascist and anti-communist as well.
- With these commonalities, they began forging a closer relationship.
63
When was the Rome-Berlin Axis formed?
October 1936
64
What was the purpose of Germany and Italy forming the Rome-Berlin Axis in October 1936?
- It was intended to show that Germany and Italy were the new dominant powers in world affairs.
- Germany and Italy now had a new diplomatic relationship.
65
When was the Anti-Comintern Pact signed?
November 1936
66
Describe the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact in November 1936
- The Soviet-sponsored Communist International (Comintern) supported communist groups around the world.
- Japan and Germany formalized their opposition to these efforts in the Anti-Comintern Pact signed in November 1936.
- The agreement was primarily symbolic, but did announce that neither country was diplomatically isolated.
- Global anti-communist sentiment minimized concern with the new relationship.
67
When did Italy join the Anti-Comintern Pact?
November 1937
68
When was the Anschluss?
March 1938
69
What were the causes of the Anschluss?
-A factor in the formation of the Rome–Berlin Axis was Italy withdrawing objections to Germany annexing Austria.
-In addition to the concept of Pan-Germanism, Austria offered other key advantages to Germany:
* Large industrial development
* Many skilled workers
* Significant gold reserves
* Vital natural resources.
-By 1938, Germany’s economy and military were strong.
70
What was the Anschluss?
This was the German term for connection or annexation, with Austria.
71
What was Austria's reaction to Hitler beginning to pursue Anschluss?
The Austrian government entered negotiations with Germany to prevent annexation.
72
What demands did Hitler make when the Austrian government entered negotiations with Germany to prevent annexation?
Hitler demanded:
- The appointment of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, an Austrian Nazi Party member, as Minister of Public Security, giving him control of all police
- The release of all jailed Nazi Party members.
73
How did the Austrian government react to Hitler's demands and what did this lead to?
- The Austrian government agreed to these demands.
- Hitler declared that millions of suppressed Germans be reunited with Germany.
- This was a challenge to Austrian independence.
74
Describe the events (after negotiations with Hitler) that led to the Anschluss
- In an attempt to prevent a German takeover, Austria’s Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg scheduled a plebiscite to decide if Austrians wanted Anschluss.
- Hitler claimed that rioting broke out in Austria requiring Germany to send troops to restore order.
- He then threatened invasion unless Schuschnigg resigned, which he did.
- Seyss-Inquart was made Chancellor, and he immediately requested German assistance.
75
When did German troops enter Austria (Anschluss)?
12th March 1938
76
Describe the events of the Anschluss
- On 12 March 1938, German troops entered Austria.
- The next day Austria became part of Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
- A plebiscite in April resulted in over 99% of Austrians voting in favour of Anschluss.
77
How did the League of Nations react to the Anschluss and why?
The League of Nations did nothing in response because:
- Austria had invited German troops to enter the country
- Austrian citizens overwhelmingly voted in favour of joining Germany.
78
How did Britain and France react to the Anschluss and why?
Neither Britain nor France made any serious objection to Anschluss because:
- They could do little militarily.
- Both countries believed Germany could be useful in the fight against communism.
- It appeared to be a case of Germans wanting to live in Germany.
79
What was appeasement?
The policy of negotiating by Britain and France to address Germany’s grievances with the Treaty of Versailles.
80
Different views on appeasement
- Many believed it encouraged Hitler to be more aggressive because the policy made Britain and France seem weak.
- More recent scholarship views appeasement as much more complex.
81
How did Britain view appeasement of Hitler at the time?
- Britain believed negotiating made more sense than confrontation, especially since Britain was still rebuilding its military.
- Many at the time saw Germany’s demands as reasonable.
82
What was the Soviet Union's reaction to the Anschluss and why?
- The Soviet Union protested, but had no other options.
- Internal political strife in the form of purges resulted in the imprisonment and execution of many senior government and military officials, including its foreign policy and diplomatic experts.
- The violence contributed to Britain and France having little reason to work with the Soviet Union.
83
When was the Sudetenland Crisis?
October 1938
84
What was the demand of the Germans living in the Sudetenland becoming a part of Germany inspired by?
- It was inspired by the Anschluss
- Germans living in the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia and the Sudeten German Party, close allies of the Nazi Party, demanded to become part of Germany.
85
When did Konrad Henlein, head of the Sudeten German Party, issue a list of demands?
After meeting with Hitler in March 1938
86
What was the list of demands issued by Konrad Henlein called?
The Karlsbad Programme
87
What was the main demand in the Karlsbad Programme?
Autonomy for Germans in Czechoslovakia
88
What were the different reactions to the Karlsbad Programme?
- President Edvard Beneš of Czechoslovakia rejected autonomy and offered greater rights for Sudeten Germans.
- Many saw Henlein working on behalf of Germany.
89
Why was the Sudetenland important to Czechoslovakia?
It:
- Contained important metals and mines
- Bordered Germany and contained vital Czech defences, rendering the rest of Czechoslovakia defenceless without the Sudeten fortresses.
90
What did Czechoslovakia do in May 1938 and what did this lead to?
- Czechoslovakia partially mobilized its military at the end of May 1938 when it appeared that Germany might attack.
- Germany did not attack, but it became aware that Czechoslovakia would fight.
91
Describe the Soviet Union's response to the Sudetenland Crisis
- In 1935, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union had signed a mutual defense treaty.
- The Soviets expected the alliance to work in connection with the mutual assurance treaty they had with France.
- Therefore, the Soviet Union would assist Czechoslovakia only if France acted as well.
92
What was Hitler's attitude towards Czechoslovakia by July 1938?
By July, Hitler desired confrontation with Czechoslovakia
93
Describe the continued events of the Sudetenland Crisis
By July, Hitler desired confrontation with Czechoslovakia:
* Germany sent a large military force to conduct military manoeuvres along the shared border with Czechoslovakia.
* Hitler ordered Henlein to prevent any internal, Czechoslovak agreement of the crisis.
* Henlein created a crisis.
* Hitler declared that Czechoslovakia planned to exterminate Germans living there.
* Hitler demanded the dismantling of Czechoslovakia.
94
When did British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meet Hitler in Berlin?
13th September 1938
95
What decision was made by Chamberlain and Daladier after Chamberlain met Hitler in Berlin?
They agreed that areas of Czechoslovakia containing a majority German population should be ceded to Germany.
96
How did Czechoslovakia respond to Chamberlain and Daladier's proposal that areas of Czechoslovakia containing a majority German population be ceded to Germany?
Initially, Czechoslovakia rejected the proposal, but then accepted it as the only way to prevent war.
97
How did Hitler respond to Chamberlain and Daladier's proposal that areas of Czechoslovakia containing a majority German population be ceded to Germany (and Czechoslovakia's eventual acceptance)?
- Hitler immediately demanded that German troops occupy the Sudeten. Britain and France rejected these demands.
- War seemed imminent.
- Although Hitler did not want war with Britain and France, he thought the two countries would not go to war for Czechoslovakia.
- He ordered the army to prepare an invasion for 1 October.
98
When did the Munich Agreement take place and what was it?
30 September 1938
It was a settlement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland.
99
Why did the threat of war in 1938 worry Mussolini?
Because Italy was not militarily prepared.
100
Who attended the Munich Agreement?
Mussolini called for a meeting with Hitler, Chamberlain and Daladier.
- Leaders of Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union were not invited.
- The four leaders met in Munich and reached an agreement on 30 September.
101
Give examples of the terms of the Munich Agreement
- The Sudeten would become part of Germany.
- German troops would occupy the Sudeten in stages.
- A plebiscite would determine which country residents preferred.
- Germans would be released from Czechoslovakian military service.
102
What were the different reactions to the Munich Agreement?
- Czechoslovakia had little choice but to accept these terms.
- Britain and France stated that they would not fight Germany if Czechoslovakia did not abide by the agreement.
103
What was the Anglo-German Declaration and when was it announced?
- On 30 September 1938, Germany and Britain announced the Anglo-German Declaration.
- The two countries pledged to consult one another over potential conflicts and vowed not to go to war.
104
How was the Munich Agreement perceived in France and what were its results in France?
- The Munich Agreement was popular in France.
- However, it left France less secure.
105
Why did the Munich Agreement leave France less secure?
- The power of Czechoslovakia, a major ally, was diminished.
- France’s abandonment of the mutual assistance guarantee damaged relations with the Soviet Union.
- Britain continued to refuse military alliance with France.
106
How did France respond to the Munich Agreement in November and December 1938?
- France increased military spending by 300%.
- A Franco-German Declaration pledge to respect borders and pursue peace was signed in December 1938.
107
How was the Munich Agreement perceived in Britain and what were its results in Britain?
- The Munich Agreement also was popular in Britain. Chamberlain had brought peace to Europe.
- However, there were concerns.
108
What were the concerns in Britain associated with the Munich Agreement?
- A weakened France might seek an agreement to avoid conflict with Germany.
- Britain had no reliable ally.
- Germany had come close to going to war, indicating that Germany saw war as a way to address its grievances or resolve its demands.
109
How did Britain respond to the Munich Agreement?
It increased the speed of its rearmament.
110
What were the results of the Munich Agreement for the Soviet Union?
- The Soviet Union could not trust Britain and France to join them in case of a German attack.
- Because the two countries seemed to favor fascist states like Germany and Italy, the Soviets believed the two countries might join Germany in a war against the Soviet Union.
- The Soviet Union was isolated.
111
What were the results of the Munich Agreement on Germany (political)?
- Hitler had been willing to go to war with Czechoslovakia, but not Britain and France.
- After the annexation of the Sudeten, the German military realized the strength of Czechoslovakia’s defenses. Victory would not have been easy.
- A plot developed among military leaders to assassinate Hitler and end Nazi rule.
112
What were the results of the Munich Agreement on Germany (Hitler's image)?
- The Munich Agreement made Hitler immensely popular in Germany.
- Concerned about the public’s reaction to an assassination, the military ended the plot.
113
What were the results of the Munich Agreement for Czechoslovakia?
- Between 2 October and 20 November, Czechoslovakia was dismantled by Slovaks, Hungary, Poland and Germany.
- Only a rump state remained.
- On 14 March 1939, Hitler threatened Czechoslovakian President Emil Hácha.
- Hitler gave Hácha two options:
* Agree to make Czechoslovakia part of Germany, or
* Germany would invade.
- A large part of Czechoslovakia became part of Germany.
- Slovakia was separated from the rest of the former state and became an independent country, as well as a German ally.
- The hopes for peace from the Munich Agreement were gone in only six months.
114
Where did Hitler turn his attention after successfully annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia?
Poland
115
What factors influenced Hitler's desire to occupy Poland?
- Poland was created partially using German land.
- The desire to regain the Free City of Danzig and the Polish Corridor, which separated Germany from the German territory of East Prussia, influenced German actions.
116
Describe the talks that Germany entered in with Poland after the occupation of the Sudetenland
Germany entered talks with Poland to:
* Build transportation links with East Prussia
* Enter a 25-year non-aggression pact with Poland
* Help Poland gain territory elsewhere.
117
What did Hitler demand in October 1938 and why?
Hitler demanded the return of Danzig because:
* Danzig had been part of Germany until the end of the First World War.
* The locally elected government of Danzig was dominated by the Nazi Party.
118
What was the popular response to German demands for Danzig in October 1938?
- This created popular outrage in Britain and France.
- It was thought Germany’s territorial demands had ended with the Munich Agreement.
119
What was the response of the British and French to German demands for Danzig in October 1938?
- The British and French governments were pressured not to give in to German demands.
- Britain also worried that France might negotiate a security agreement with Germany.
- In February 1939, Britain announced military support for France.
120
Describe the guaranteering of Poland's borders in March 1939 (separate)
-Poland declared no interest in negotiating.
Poland informed the League of Nations that it would go to war if Germany tried to annex Danzig.
- On 31 March 1939, Britain and France guaranteed Poland’s borders.
- The guarantee strengthened Poland’s resolve not to negotiate.
- The combined military production of Britain and France would be greater than Germany’s by autumn 1939.
- Britain began creating an anti-fascist network of alliances.
- It signed mutual assistance agreements with Greece, Romania, Albania and Turkey.
- Despite their guarantees, Britain and France refused to give Poland military and financial assistance.
121
Describe the British and French negotiations with the Soviet Union (Polish Crisis) (date?)
- Britain and France proposed that the Soviet Union join their anti-fascist coalition.
- They argued that Soviet support of Poland would prevent a German attack.
* Britain and France pledged to maintain the current borders of eastern Europe.
* The Soviet Union had lost territory in eastern Europe after the First World War, including the Baltic states, Finland, Poland and part of Romania.
* The Soviet Union wanted these territories restored to them.
122
What were the results of Britian and France's negotiations with the Soviet Union? (the Polish Crisis)
- Poland absolutely refused permission for Soviet forces to enter its territory.
- The Soviet Union was not impressed.
- Without permission to enter Poland, the German army would be on the Soviet border before they could be fought.
- In addition, Britain and France sent low-level diplomats to negotiate with the Soviet Union.
- The Soviets came to understand that they were not legitimate allies for Britain and France, only a tool to be used.
123
What was Germany's response to British and French negotiations with the Soviet Union?
- Britain and France had not shown determination during the Sudeten Crisis.
- Hitler believed they would not go to war for Poland.
- Shortly after Poland’s borders were guaranteed, Hitler ordered the army to develop an invasion plan for Poland, called Case White.
- On 28 April, Germany withdrew from the Polish–German Non-Aggression Pact.
124
When was the Pact of Steel created?
May 1939
125
Why was the Pact of Steel created?
Pressure from Britain and France led Germany to create a formal alliance with Italy, known as the Pact of Steel.
126
Give examples of the terms of the Pact of Steel
- Closer co-ordination of foreign policies, the press and propaganda
- Supporting each other in war
- Developing war plans together.
127
What does the historian A.J.P. Tayor argue about the Pact of Steel?
- He argues that Germany never intended to carry out these terms and used the Pact of Steel to increase pressure on Britain and France.
- Germany hoped to instil fear of a larger war.
128
When was the Nazi-Soviet Pact signed?
August 1939
129
Describe the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact (Treaty of Non-Aggression) and its terms
- After secret negotiations, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Treaty of Non-Aggression, better known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
- The two countries agreed:
* Not to fight one another
* To give Germany freedom in diplomacy
* That areas in Poland that once belonged to Russia would be reabsorbed into the Soviet Union.
130
What was the outcome of the Nazi-Soviet Pact (Treaty of Non-Aggression) for Germany?
It no longer had to fear Soviet intervention in Poland
131
When was Poland invaded?
1 September 1939
132
Give an overview of what led to the invasion of Poland (reword)?
- During the crisis, Britain and France hoped Poland would grant Germany’s demands.
- Poland continued to refuse to negotiate.
- Britain and France maintained their support of Poland.
133
Describe the mobilization of the German army for the invasion of Poland
- On 21 August 1939, Hitler ordered the military to mobilize for the invasion of Poland.
- The invasion, Case White, was scheduled for 26 August.
134
When did Hitler delay the invasion of Poland and why?
On 25 August, Hitler delayed the invasion because of two developments:
* Britain and Poland announced a military alliance.
* Mussolini stated that Italy was not prepared for war and could not abide by the Pact of Steel.
135
Describe the events leading up to the invasion of Poland (after Hitler's delay) - separate?
- The Pact of Steel was modified to allow Italy to support Germany in other than military ways.
- On 25 and 26 August, talks between Germany, Britain and France failed to reach an agreement.
- On 28 August, Britain issued a formal warning to Germany not to violate Poland’s borders.
- Britain also ordered:
* British ships in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas to leave their bases in case of surprise attack.
* Implementation of emergency rationing of food and essential supplies in Britain.
- These moves did not convince Hitler that Britain would go to war.
- On 31 August, Hitler met the Polish ambassador in Berlin. Hitler demanded the return of Danzig and added a new demand: the return of the Polish Corridor.
- The Polish ambassador did not have the authority to sign a treaty.
- Germany announced that Poland had rejected negotiations
136
Describe the German invasion of Poland
On 1 September, a massive force of more than 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland.
137
Describe the international response to the invasion of Poland in September 1939
- Britain and France called for an end to hostilities.
| - An Italian call for a conference of world powers to resolve the crisis was ignored.
138
Describe the results of Germany's invasion of Poland and the beginning of WW2
- Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939.
- Accounts indicate that Hitler was shocked by the declaration of war.
- A localized war between Germany and Poland turned into a European war.
- The war that would become the Second World War in Europe and north Africa had started.
139
Social Darwinism
- According to ‘Social Darwinism’, a belief shared by Italian fascist ideology and German Nazism, ‘weaker groups and nations did not deserve to survive and should be eliminated in order to keep the strong ‘healthy’.
- Linked to this idea of ‘Social Darwinism’ was the belief that all who shared a common language, history and culture should be allowed to live together in a greater or expanded nation, and that an aggressive foreign policy was a sign of strength’.
140
What was the impact of WW1 on Germany and how did Hitler exploit this?
- The impact of the First World War on Germany was profound.
- Expecting a peace settlement to be based on Wilson’s 14 Points, Germans were horrified by the ‘diktat’ imposed.
- Germany lost 10% of its lands, 50% of its iron and steel industries and was forced to pay reparations.
- Nationalist referred to those who signed the armistice as the ‘November criminals’.
- Hitler was able to exploit the ‘stab-in-the-back’ myth to increase support for the Nazis.
141
How many British soldiers and civilians died in WW1?
Soldiers: 886,000
Civilians: 2,000
142
Why was there support for appeasement?
The belief that:
- Germany was harshly treated at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.
- Hitler was a reasonable leader who was only trying to resurrect his country’s economy and prestige following the Great Depression.
- Many in Britain and France, who still had vivid memories of the death and destruction of World War I, were desperate to avoid another European war with Germany.
- The greatest threat to European peace and stability came from the Soviet Union, and that Germany could be a tremendously valuable potential ally in a future war.
143
More reasons for Hitler's aggressive foreign policy in 38-39
- Hitler had faced no consequences following his most brazenly militaristic acts yet – the remilitarisation of the Rhineland and German involvement in the Spanish Civil War.
- Germany had begun to forge alliances with other like-minded powers. The Rome-Berlin Axis of late 1936 and Anti-Comintern Pact of 1936-1937 brought Germany and Italy closer together, which was necessary to ensure the success of the Anschluss – after all it had been Italian opposition which prevented the attempted Anschluss of 1934.
144
Millions of ___ resided in the Sudetenland
Ethnic Germans
145
What promise did Hitler make at the Munich Agreement?
That he did not desire any more new territory and signed a peace treaty with Britain.
