12 How was the policy of appeasement justified? Flashcards
What was the policy of appeasement of claimed to be?
It was often claimed that the policy was morally wrong and led directly to the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia
What did the policy of appeasement do to Hitler’s thoughts and feelings?
It boosted his self-confidence, encouraging him to make further demands and providing him with additional territory and resources
What are the 4 reasons for appeasement?
- Correcting the injustices of Versailles
- The increasing militarism of Japan and Italy
- A popular policy
- Threat of communism
Why was correcting the injustices of Versailles a reason for appeasement?
By the 1930s, many thought that the Versailles had been too harsh on Germany
While no one liked Hitler’s bullying methods, people still felt some sympathy for his demands. Some thought it was unreasonable that Germany couldn’t:
- Defend itself
- Secure its frontiers
- Make common cause with the substantial pockets of Germans living under foreign rule
Why was the increasing militarism of Japan and Italy a reason for appeasement?
During the late 1930s, Germany was not the only threat to world peace:
- Italy and invading Abyssinia
- Japan and invading Manchuria
Chiefs of the British armed services didn’t think Britain could find itself a war with Germany, Italy and Japan simultaneously with only France as a major ally.
Appeasement bought Britain and France time to rearm.
Why was the appeasement being a popular policy a reason for it?
All politicians in a democratic country have to take account of public opinion if they want to survive.
Public opinion in Britain and France for peace was overwhelming in the 1930s - deeply impacted by WW1
Why was the threat of communism a reason for appeasement?
Some western politicians feared communism more than nazism. One way to reduce communism threat in the west by Soviet Russia was to have one strong anti-communist country. Germany fitted the bill perfectly. Anti-communists therefore found it easy to support appeasement.
What happened to Britain and France’s thoughts on appeasement after March 1939?
They changed their policy of trying to appease Hitler in favour of a policy of deterrence
What happened when Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and why was it so significant?
After Germany invaded the Sudetenland, the country of Czechoslovakia started to break up. However, Czechoslovakia remained a country rich in agriculture and industry, resources, which Hitler wanted very much
In March 1939, Hitler bullied President Hacha of Czechoslovakia into giving the country to the German Reich. The German army occupied Prague on 15 March 1939. Germany had no right over areas in Czechoslovakia, which didn’t have any German speaking people in it, but they still took all of it.
This was the first time Hitler has shown his true intentions since the Munich Agreement. It showed the world that Hitler didn’t mind so much about making Germany great again, but instead wanted to dominate Europe by force.
What is the percentage increase of Germany’s territory and population between 1935 and March 1939?
Territory - 36% increase
Population - 28% increase
Why was Poland certainly going to be the next country that Hitler invades after Czechoslovakia?
- Poland was a re-creation by the Versailles Settlement (Poland shouldn’t have existed, exists because of T.O.V)
- Poland included territory that had been part of Germany prior to 1919, such as West Prussia
- The Polish Corridor separated East Prussia from the main bulk of German territory
- Danzig, located in the Polish Corridor, was mainly populated by Germans
How did Hitler started his invasion of Poland?
He started by demanding the return of Danzig together with the establishment of German-controlled transport links across the Polish Corridor
What happened when Hitler demanded for Danzig and the establishment of German-controlled transport links across the Polish Corridor?
The events of policy of appeasement was replaced by one of deterrence.
What did Britain and France promise to Poland on the 31 March 1939?
That they would support Poland if it was attacked
Anglo-French guarantee for Poland
What was the problem with Poland’s alliance with Britain and France?
Britain and France wanted to create a grand eastern alliance against Germany. However, for this alliance to be effective, they needed the Soviet Russia as a member too because Britain and France are too far away from Poland. However, even after attempts of persuasion, Stalin declined their offer as he feared he was being drawn into a war with Germany.
When the project failed, Poland was left with two western allies, Britain and France, neither of whom was in a position to provide immediate assistance in the event of a German invasion.
