Outbreak of War in Europe and Germany's Defeat in World War 2 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Among the factors leading to WWII in Europe, which is more significant: Hitler’s expansionist policy or the policy of appeasement?
1) Weaknesses of the League of Nations
2) Hitler’s expansionist policy
3) Policy of appeasement
What are the Weaknesses of the League of Nations?
Failure of disarmament
Abyssinian Crisis
How do you explain Failure of disarmament?
In the 1920s and 1930s, there were efforts at disarmament to reduce the chances of another world war. However, most of the successes at disarmament were led by individual major European powers, and not the League. The League was not successful in persuading major powers to disarm. This meant that international relations were still influenced mainly by powerful nations. The League was ineffective in stopping major powers from engaging in conflicts
The Washington Naval Conference (1921) and the Locarno Treaties (1925) were successful to a large extent in limiting the weapons of major countries. For example, the Washington Naval Conference set a ration for tonnage of capital ships. This helped to curb the arms race between the major powers. The Locarno Treaties also ensured Belgian and French borders with Germany and demilitarisation of the Rhineland. However, these treaties were initiated by countries apart from the League
Efforts by the LON to organise disarmament conferences were met with failures. The major powers were unwillingly to cooperate. Disarmament would make the country vulnerable to foreign attacks and thus the major powers were determined to protect their national interests
For example, in 1926, the League Commission was set up to prepare for the World Disarmament Conference. It failed as Britain and France, the main powers of the League, refused to cooperate. At the World Disarmament Conference in 1932-4, Germany insisted on matching other powers’ armament level. France refused to limit their own armament as they felt insecure from Germany’s threat. Britain and the USA refused to commit at the level requested by France. Thus, the conference failed to persuade major European powers to disarm.
The failure of the League to get major powers to disarm highlighted the importance of the involvement of the USA in world affairs. The USA was not a League member, yet it was more successful in persuading other major powers to disarm. At the same time, it also highlighted the importance of the commitment of the main members of the League - Britain and France. However, both nations were weakened by World War I and Great Depression and thus placed national interests and survival before the League’s interests. They were unwilling to sacrifice national interests in order to ensure the success of the League’s work. Ultimately, the League’s failure at disarmament contributed to an atmosphere of distrust and tension which led to World War II.
How do you explain Abyssinian Crisis?
The League credibility had already been undermined in its inability to stop Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931
In 1935 the league again failed to intervene in the Abyssinian crisis. In the 1930s, Italy, led by Mussolini, had ambitions to build an empire. By the early 1935, Italy had prepared his army for war with Abyssinia, using a dispute at Walsall Oasis as a pretext. Italy was interested in Abyssinia for its mineral wealth as well as the fact that there were Italian interests in Somalia, next to Abyssinia
Abyssinia appealed to the League for help.
Although the League imposed trade sanctions on Italy, it did not affect Italy adversely as important materials like oil, coal and steel were not sanctioned. League members were concerned that such sanctions would affect their economies adversely. Britain and France, who owned the Suez Canal, did not close it to Italian ships, allowing Italian war supplies to be shipped to Abyssinia
In addition, Britain and France even proposed a secret plan to give Mussolini two-thirds of Abyssinia in return for stopping the invasion under the Hoare-Laval Pact. France was also unwilling to take decisive action against Italy, as it needed Italy support against Hitler who had rearmed the Rhineland.
However, Italy went to conquer Abyssinia in May 1936
This was a clear violation of the League’s covenant. In November 1936, Mussolini and Hitler signed a treaty of friendship, establishing the Rome-Berlin Axis. The league had again failed to maintain world peace and resolve conflicts. The League’s failure to act against Italy showed Hitler that there is no country or organization could stop him if he were to act on his ambition. This emboldened Hitler to carry out his aggressive foreign policy aims.
How do you explain Hitler’s expansionist policy?
1) Withdrawal from League of Nations and Geneva Disarmament Conference
2) Conscription and rearmament
3) Remilitarization of the Rhineland
4) German involvement in Spanish Civil War
5) German unification with Austria and Czechoslovakia
6) Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact
7) Invasion of Poland
How do you explain Withdrawal from League of Nations and Geneva and Disarmament Conference?
1) Withdrawal from the LON and Geneva Disarmament Conference (Oct 1933)
2) Hitler demanded that France disarm to the same level as Germany did under the TOV
3) France refused and Hitler used this as an excuse to withdraw from the conference and LON. Thus, Hitler was free to re-introduce conscription and rearmament in violation of the TOV
How do you explain Conscription and Rearmament?
1)Hitler began to build up Germany’s Air Force – the Luftwaffe and reintroduce conscription
2)In 1935, Hitler announced a 2500-planes Luftwaffe and plans for an army of 550,000
3)These clearly violated the TOV
Hitler justified his actions by emphasizing these actions as defensive acts
4)Countries like Britain and France were unwilling to risk another war and did not take decisive action against German actions
5)Britain even signed the Anglo-German Agreement in 1935 which allowed Germany to build up her navy
6)Germany also began to spend large amounts on military production. Thus, using defense as an excuse, Hitler prepared Germany for war and violated the TOV
How do you explain Remilitarization of the Rhineland?
1) Using the Franco-Soviet alliance as an excuse, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland in March 1936
2) Hitler justified this action by saying it was defending its own frontiers as Germany was now under threat from France and the USSR. Hence, Hitler once again violated the TOV
3) France did not respond with force as it was preoccupied with elections
4) Britain was sympathetic towards Germany, as it felt it had been treated harshly under the TOV
5) The inaction of both Britain and France again emboldened Hitler to pursue his aggressive foreign policy
6) Hitler had taken a gamble in occupation of Rhineland. He was worried about French response to Germany’s actions. However, France was preoccupied with elections and no French politicians wanted to be seen as wanting to start a war. The League of Nations condemn Hitler’s actions, but did nothing else. It was distracted by the Abyssinian Crisis.
How do you explain German involvement in Spanish Civil War?
1)Hitler sent soldiers, equipment and warplanes to support Spanish Nationalist forces
2)Hitler hoped to divert Britain and France’s attention from his expansionist policy as well as to test out his army and Air Force
3)The LON took no action against German’s intervention in Spain
4)Hitler justified his actions by explaining Germany’s actions as defending civilization against communism. Thus, Britain and France failed to intervene
Hitler perceived them as weak and become even more confident in pursuing his aggressive policies
How do you explain German unification with Austria and Czechoslovakia?
1)Anschluss with Austria (1938)
One of Hitler’s foreign policy objectives was to form a political union of Germany and Austria. However, Anschluss or union with Austria was prohibited under the TOV. Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazis to stir up instability and pressurize the Austrian Chancellor into agreeing to Anschluss. A plebiscite was held to decide if the Austrians wanted the politics all union. Hitler sent troops into Austria on the pretext of keeping order during voting. In March 1938, Austria became part of Germany as 99.75 per cent voted for Anschluss.
Austria’s raw materials were now available for Hitler’s war efforts. Once again, Hitler violated the TOV
Britain and France, did not take action, proving to Hitler yet again that Britain and France would not take action against him.
2)Czechoslovakia: Munich Agreement
Under the influence of the Nazi Party leader in the Sudetenland, the Germans in this area demanded to be part of Germany. The Czech leader Edward Benes called upon Britain France and the USSR who had promised to support Czechoslovakia if attacked. However, Britain and France had followed the policy of appeasement and were unwilling to intervene. Britain and France signed the Munich Agreement with Germany and Italy in 1938. They agreed to give the Sudetenland to Hitler, in exchange for Hitler’s promise not to invade other territories. The USSR was not consulted at all
In October 1938, Hitler marched into the Sudetenland
On 16 October 1939, Hitler took over the whole of Czechoslovakia. Britain and France did not take action. However, they warned Hitler that if he invaded Poland, they would declare war on Germany. 16 March 1939: Hitler invaded and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain realized that Hitler could not be trusted. He was worried that Poland would be Hitler’s next target. Britain and France warned Hitler that they would go to war with Germany if he invaded Poland.
How do you explain Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact?
In August 1939, Germany and USSR signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression act. Germany and USSR would not attack each other. The Pact also divided Eastern Europe into Soviet and German spheres of influence
Poland was also divided between them. Hitler hoped that the Pact would prevent a two-front war for Germany
The Pact also benefited the USSR. It perceived the West as instigating Hitler to attack the USSR. Thus, it needed the pact as breathing space to build up its military strength in event of a possible war with Germany. While Hitler had banked on inaction on the part of Britain and France again, this time Britain and Poland signed a mutual defense treaty instead.
How do you explain Invasion of Poland?
Since 1937, Hitler had demanded that the ‘Free City’ of Danzig to be part of Germany. Most of the people in Danzig were German. Hitler also wanted to build a railroad across the Polish Corridor to reconnect Germany to East Prussia. However, Polish leaders distrusted Hitler and feared the loss of Poland’s independence.
29 August 1939: Hitler demanded for Danzig, and also control of the Polish Corridor. 1 September 1939: Hitler invaded Poland. Britain and France realized that appeasement had failed and declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. Hitler’s invasion of Poland thus triggered World War II.
What are the reasons for Policy of Appeasement?
1) Fear of another major war
2) Failure of the League of Nations
3) Buying time to rearm
4) Genuine sympathy for Germany over the Treaty of Versailles
5) Chamberlain’s misjudgment of Hitler
6) Fear of Communism
How do you explain Fear of another major war?
World War I devastated both Britain and France.
Public opinion was not favorable of another war of a similar scale. The effects of the Great Depression on the economies of both Britain and France made rearmament difficult. Neville Chamberlain realized that the British public would not support a war against Germany—this was seen in lack of interest in the remilitarization of Rhineland and the enthusiasm following the Munich Agreement.
How do you explain Failure of the League of Nations?
The League proved ineffective when it had to deal with strong, powerful countries. Thus, instead of relying on the League of Nations to act, the British adopted a policy of appeasement to satisfy Hitler and prevent the outbreak of another war.
How do you explain Buying time to rearm?
World War I had weakened Britain and France’s economy and military. Following a policy of appeasement would allow Britain and France time to rearm.
How do you explain Genuine sympathy for Germany over the Treaty of Versailles?
Many British politicians had felt that the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany. Thus, they were convinced that Hitler’s intentions were aimed at granting Germans self-determination. They believed that by giving in to Hitler, he would stop after achieving his aims and avoid another war.
How do you explain Chamberlain’s misjudgment of Hitler?
Chamberlain believed that Hitler could be reasoned with.
He was convinced that Hitler’s aims were limited to revising the Treaty of Versailles and once he had achieved it, Hitler would cease making demands. However, Hitler repeatedly made promises to Chamberlain and then broke them.
How do you explain Fear of Communism?
Hitler had banned the Communist Party and sent many of its leaders to concentration camp. Many leaders in Britain and France hated and feared communism. Hence, although they were aware of Hitler’s aggressive actions in the 1930s, they believed a stronger Germany would act as a shield against the Soviet Union and the spread of communism to the West. Thus, they hoped that Hitler could be a potential ally against communism
What are the examples of Appeasement?
1)Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935)
2)Lack of actions against Hitler’s aggression
3)Munich Agreement
(Make sure you know how to explain these factors with dates and figures(if any))
Was the entry of the USA in 1941 the main cause of Germany’s defeat in World War II?
1) US isolationism regarding Europe
2) US indirect involvement in the war
- From ‘cash and carry’ to Lend-lease
- ‘Arsenal of democracy’
- Other forms of aid
3) USA formally enters World War II
- Contribution of vast resources and manpower
- Collaboration with Allies in military strategies
How do you explain US isolationism regarding Europe?
Despite the escalating tensions in Europe and in the Far East in the 1930s, the USA steadfastly followed an isolationist policy. 1937: the USA passed the Neutrality Act, which affirmed USA’s refusal to become involved in a foreign war. However, President Roosevelt warned that the USA would have to face the menace of Germany, Italy and Japan. October 1937: President Roosevelt announced that warmongering nations would need to be ‘quarantined’. Although he did not want war, he began to prepare the USA for such a possibility.
How do you explain US indirect involvement in the war?
‘Cash and carry’ 21 September 1939 to Lend Lease Act
The Neutrality Act was revised in September 1939 that allowed Britain and France to buy goods from the USA if they paid cash immediately in full and provided their own transport. However, this was changed when President Roosevelt persuaded the Congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 as the Britain resources were drained by 1940. Under the Lend-Lease Act, USA could supply food, weapons and equipment to Britain and any country whose defence was vital to the USA
The Act was also extended to USSR when it was invaded by Germany in June 1941. Under the Act, payment for purchase of weapons could be deferred and payment may not be in cash. Almost US$50 billion was provided to the Allies, including the USSR. The Act also signaled the end of the USA neutrality.
How it contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War II?
The Lend-Lease Act injected fresh resources to the Allied war effort. By the end of 1940, British resources were almost exhausted and it could not afford to purchase arms on ‘cash and carry’ terms. Thus, USA’s Lend- Lease Act provided the Allies with much needed resources such as weapons and equipment as well as food supplies. The fresh injection of supplies and resources enabled the Allies to eventually defeat Germany which was also drained by the war.
“Arsenal of democracy’ – through supporting the Allies and rearming the USA
Roosevelt also argued that the USA should be the ‘Arsenal of democracy’. This meant that the USA should actively support democratic nations in their fight against the Axis Powers. After France fell in 1940, Britain was the only major Allied country fight Germany. Thus, Roosevelt pushed for USA to increase its level of aid to Britain.
The USA gave Britain 50 old destroyers in return for 8 naval bases in the Caribbean. Close bonds were forged between the USA and Britain as the two leaders corresponded frequently with each other. Secret dialogues were held between Churchill and Roosevelt on how the USA could support Britain. Roosevelt also sought to expand and re-equip the US Army and Navy, and to step up rearmament.
How it contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War II
The USA support provided the Allies with the psychological and material support toward the war effort
By equipping the Allies with resources, the Allies were able to gain military superiority over Germany, which was drained as the war dragged on. This ultimately enabled the Allies to achieve victory over the Axis Powers. In addition, Roosevelt’s ‘fireside chats; convinced Americans of the need to end isolationism and being more involved in the war and this provided moral support to the Allies
“Other forms” of US aid
Escort roles
The US navy provided escort roles for all Allied convoys at sea after being attacked by German U-boats in late 1941
How it contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War II
Allied ships were able to cross the seas safety as they were escorted by the US navy
Economic Sanctions
The USA also imposed economic sanctions on Axis Powers. This would deprive them of resources needed for war effort. This would have a devastating effect on Japan’s war effort from 1940 onwards as her assets were frozen when it invaded French Indochina in 1941.
How it contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War II
US’s economic sanctions deprived the Axis powers with essential resources required for the war effort
With their supplies drained as a result of the long drawn war, the Axis powers were weakened military due to the US sanctions
This contributed to Germany’s ultimate defeat
How do you explain USA formally enters World War II?
On 7 December 1941, Japan carried out a surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. On 8 December 1941, the USA declared war on Japan.
In response to the Tripartite Pact, Hitler also declared war on the USA. The USA formally enters World War II. The entry of the USA would contribute to Allied victory in the war.
Collaboration with Allies in military strategies
American participation in Allied military strategies helped the Allies achieve control of the air and sea. This prevented essential resources from reaching Germany and gave Allies greater success at bombing German cities and Axis military targets such as synthetic oil plants and oilfields. Allied control over the air and sea also helped Allied tactical success over Germany—such as ‘Operation Overlord’ which started with D-Day landings on the coast of Normandy, France and ended in Germany’s defeat.
How it contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War II
Control of air and sea ultimately contributed to Germany’s defeat as essential resources were not able to reach Germany. Control of air and sea also led to Allied tactical success against Germany. For example: D Day landings involved large numbers of military and equipment. Large numbers of Allied Forces landed in France and resulted in a decisive Allied victory
