How far was Hitler’s foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939? Flashcards
(16 cards)
(a) Describe how the Assembly and the Council of the League were meant to work. [4]
- ‘The Assembly contained representatives of all members.’
- ‘The Assembly met in Geneva.’
- ‘The Assembly met once a year.’
- ‘The Assembly’s job was to set the budget admit new members and elect
- members of the Council.’
- ‘The Assembly was the League’s Parliament.’
- ‘The Assembly could make recommendations to the Council.’
- ‘Assembly decisions had to be unanimous.’
- ‘The Council consisted of permanent members and temporary members
- who were elected by the Assembly for three years.’
- ‘The Council met three to five times a year.’
- ‘The Council’s job was to settle international disputes.’
- ‘The Council met during emergencies/crises.’
- ‘Council members had a veto.’
- ‘The Council could issue sanctions.’
(a) Describe the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936. [4]
In March, Hitler ordered his troops back into the Rhineland, against the terms of the
* Treaty of Versailles.’ (2 marks)
* ‘Hitler’s generals were against the move as they thought the French would resist and also
* because the German army was too weak.’ (2 marks)
* ‘The army had strict orders to withdraw if they met any opposition but all went smoothly.’
* ‘The majority of people welcomed the troops.’
* ‘Britain thought Hitler was reclaiming what was rightfully Germany’s.’
* ‘It was condemned by the League of Nations but they took no action as they were involved in
* Abyssinia.’ (2 marks)
(a) What happened at the Munich Conference in 1938? [4]
- The Munich Conference settled the fate of the Sudetenland and arguably the whole of Czechoslovakia.
- Germany was allowed to receive those parts of the Sudetenland where the population was made up mainly of Germans. This process was to take place during a 10-day period.
- The remainder of Czechoslovakia was to be guaranteed by Britain, France, Germany, and Italy once various territorial claims by Poland and Hungary had been resolved.
- In areas where there was uncertainty as to the dominant nationality plebiscites were to be held, supervised by an international commission.
- In addition to the above arrangements, Hitler and Neville Chamberlain signed a separate memorandum pledging both powers to promote the peace of Europe and to use the “method of consultation” to resolve any mutual differences.
(a) What did Hitler achieve by the Anschluss? [4]
A joining of Germany and Austria.’
* ‘Hitler had successfully broken the Treaty of Versailles which stated that there should be
* no Anschluss between Germany and Austria.’
* ‘By joining Germany and Austria, Hitler had helped his development of a Greater Germany.’
* ‘Hitler had acquired his homeland because he was born in Austria.’
* ‘Austria’s soldiers, weapons and its rich deposits of gold and iron ore were added to
* Germany’s increasingly strong army and industry.’
* ‘The Anschluss showed that the Allies were not willing to go to war over a treaty which
* seemed suspect and flawed. This encouraged Hitler.’
(a) What were the aims of Hitler’s foreign policy? [4]
- ‘Remove the Treaty of Versailles.’
- ‘To establish a large empire in Eastern Europe for lebensraum.’
- ‘To achieve Anschluss with Austria.’
- ‘To unite all Germany speaking people in a Greater Germany.’
- ‘To destroy the USSR and communism.’
- ‘To regain the Saar and re-militarise the Rhineland.’
- ‘To stop paying reparations.’
- ‘To build up his armed forces.’
(a) What benefits did uniting with Austria offer Hitler? [4]
- ‘Hitler gained Austria’s army.’
- ‘He gained Austria’s weapons.’
- ‘He gained Austria’s mineral deposits.’
- ‘These included gold, iron ore, coal, magnesite, copper, zinc, oil, silver and tungsten.’ (max 2 marks for listing)
- ‘Hitler gained Austria’s salt mines.’
- ‘He gained Austria’s productive timber industry.’
- ‘Hitler showed Germans he was keeping his promise by breaking the Treaty of Versailles.’
- ‘Hitler thought Britain and France might be willing to give him more land where there were German-speaking people.’
- ‘It helped Hitler form part of his Greater Germany.’
- ‘It helped Hitler encircle northern Czechoslovakia.’
- ‘Hitler gained the country of his birth.’
- ‘Hitler’s confidence in his plans increased, especially as he had the support of Mussolini.’
(a) In what ways did Hitler undermine the Treaty of Versailles between 1933 and 1936? [4]
When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, he broke many terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
- In 1933, he began to secretly rearm (1).
- In 1937, he tested out the Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War (1).
- In 1938, he successfully captured the Sudetenland (1).
-In 1939, he captured the whole of Czechoslovakia (1).
What measures had Hitler taken by 1938 to prepare Germany for war? [4]
What actions did Hitler take between 1933 and 1937 to destroy the Treaty of Versailles? [4]
(a) Describe the increase in Italian militarism in the 1930s. [4]
- ‘Abyssinia became a target for Mussolini’s aggressive policies.’
- ‘Mussolini adopted aggressive policies.’
- ‘Agression was a response to the Depression.’
- ‘Mussolini invaded Abyssinia.’
- ‘Italy sent troops to support the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.’
- ‘Italy signed the Rome-Berlin Axis.’
- ‘Italy joined the Anti-Comintern Pact.’
- ‘The Pact of Steel was signed with Germany.’
- ‘Italy rearmed.’
(a) What happened in the Saar in 1935? [4]
- In January 1935, a plebiscite was held. This was in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.’
- ‘Voters were asked whether they wanted the Saar to remain under the League of Nations. The alternatives were to return to Germany or become part of France.’
- ‘The League provided an international force of over 3000 troops to maintain the peace. The troops came from Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy.’
- ‘There were accusations of intimidation on the part of Germany.’
- ‘People voted to return to Germany. Over 90% were in favour.’
- ‘Just under 9% wanted to stay under the League of Nations.’
- ‘Less than half of one per cent wanted to join France.’
- ‘Germany had regained its first piece of lost territory by legal and peaceful means.’
- ‘It was a tremendous propaganda success for Hitler.’
- ‘It gave Hitler confidence to continue with his plans.’
(a) What were the terms of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement signed in 1935? [4]
- ‘The Agreement allowed Germany to increase its fleet.’
- ‘It allowed Germany to build submarines.’
- ‘It allowed Germany to have a fleet that was 35% the size of Britain’s.’
- ‘It allowed Germany to have submarines up to 45% of Britain’s numbers.’
- ‘It allowed the Germans to break the Treaty of Versailles.’
- ‘This Agreement was allowed despite French and Italian protests.’
(a) Describe how Hitler’s policies between 1935 and 1938 broke the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. [4]
- ‘Germany re-armed .’
- ‘Hitler created the Luftwaffe in 1935.’
- ‘Hitler introduced conscription in 1935.’
- ‘Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland in 1936.’
- ‘Anschluss with Austria in 1938 .’
- ‘The signing of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty in 1935.’
(a) What were the consequences of the Spanish Civil War for peace in Europe? [4]
- ‘Hitler had tested his armed forces in conflict.’
- ‘The Luftwaffe had practised and perfected dive-bombing techniques.’
- ‘This could be considered a dress rehearsal for a full-scale European war.’
- ‘Hitler succeeded in persuading Mussolini to abandon Britain and France.’
- ‘Mussolini stated that Germany and Italy now formed the ‘Rome-Berlin Axis’.’
- ‘The three years of war distracted diplomats and officials from the affairs of
- central Europe.’
- ‘During this time, Hitler was able to take successful action over Austria and
- Czechoslovakia.’
- ‘Britain and France started to rearm.’
- ‘The League of Nations was again shown to be ineffective.’
(a) Describe what happened in the Saar in 1935. [4]
- ‘A plebiscite took place in January.’
- ‘People in the Saar voted whether to stay under the League of Nations, join Germany, or become part of France.’
- ‘Goebbels went to the Saar to whip up enthusiasm.’
- ‘During the period of the referendum, the Nazis stopped their violence and intimidation.’
- ‘The people of the Saar voted for being part of Germany.’
- ‘Over 90% voted for joining Germany.’ ‘The Saar became part of Germany in March 1935.’
(a) What was the Saar plebiscite of 1935? [4]
- It was a vote.
- It was written into the Treaty of Versailles.
- After 15 years a plebiscite should be held.
- It was to decide who should control the region.
- The choice was France, Germany or stay separate.
- It was being administered by the League of Nations.
- Both France and Germany wanted the Saar because of the rich
coalfields. - The people voted to rejoin Germany.
- There was intimidation by the Gestapo during the plebiscite.
- It was important because it was a victory for Hitler justifying his idea of
uniting all German speakers.
