3: International Causes of WW2 - YK Flashcards
What were Hitler’s main aims laid out in Mein Kampf?
Abolish the Treaty of Versailles, expand German territory for Lebensraum (living space), Anschluss (union with Austria) to unite German speakers, defeat communism (Hitler hated the Bolsheviks and thought they wanted to take over Germany)
In what ways did Hitler rearm Germany?
‘32 - ‘39: 30-95 warships, 36-8250 aircraft, 100K-950K soldiers
‘35 spending on armaments under 8%, ‘38 spending over 16% (more than doubled in 3yrs)
‘35 Hitler held massive rally celebrating armed forces
‘35 GB signed agreement allowing German navy to be up to 35% of British navy
‘36 conscription reintroduced
What was the Saar Plebiscite?
The Saar region of Germany was run by LON from ‘19, ‘35 LON held the promised plebiscite on whether or not to return to German rule, Goebbels had massive campaign, about 90% voted to return to German rule
What was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
Mar ‘36 Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland (western border with France), breaking Versailles and Locarno (‘25), FR+USSR had just signed treaty to protect each other against German attack, Germany’s army still much weaker than France’s but no action was taken
How was the Spanish Civil War important to the start of WW2?
USSR sent weapons + airforce to help Republican Government, FR sent some weapons, Germany sent airforce (bombed civilians) and Italy sent ‘volunteers’ (troops) to support Franco
Strengthened bond between Mussolini and Hitler, they thought GB+FR wouldn’t intervene over further actions against Versailles, Chamberlain ordered massive increase in arms spending (especially RAF), USSR more suspicious that GB+FR wouldn’t oppose fascism
What was the Axis?
The alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan. ‘36 Germany and Japan signed Anti-Comintern Pact (opposing communism), Italy signed in ‘37 (official start of Axis Alliance)
What was Anschluss?
Hitler had tried to take over Austria in ‘34 but Mussolini stopped him; Hitler told Austrian Nazi Party to hold demonstrations for union, then told Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg that only Anschluss would fix problems, Schuschnigg appealed to GB+FR who didn’t help so he held plebiscite, Hitler sent troops in Mar ‘38 to ‘supervise’ vote, 99.75% voted for Anschluss
What were some arguments for and against the British policy of appeasement?
Pros:
-Germany seemed like a good buffer against Stalin and Soviet communism
-GB+FR really wanted to avoid another ‘Great War’
-Britain would need support of Commonwealth for a war, especially to fight Japan
Cons:
-Hitler repeatedly broke promises and Versailles, GB + FR would have to make a stand at some point
-Germany was rearming and would only get stronger, other countries were quickly losing their advantage
-Hitler’s allies were more convinced that they could get away with aggression
How did the Sudetenland crisis start?
Czechoslovakian leader Benes knew that his country would be next (after Anschluss), he wanted guarantees from GB+FR to honour their commitment to defend Czechoslovakia if invaded and they did (although they weren’t as concerned). In May ‘38 Hitler said he would fight Czechoslovakia if needed, all countries started preparing for war. On Sep 15, Chamberlain flew to meet Hitler, Hitler made more moderate demands which GB could agree to, but a few days later Hitler returned to wanting the whole Sudetenland. GB said that was ‘unreasonable’, navy was mobilised.
What was the Munich Agreement?
A final meeting on the Sudetenland crisis was held on Sep 29, leaders agreed to give Sudetenland to Hitler (without consulting Czechs or USSR). Mar 1 German troops marched into Sudetenland, Hungary and Poland took some territory where Hungarians and Poles lived.
How did the German invasion of Czechoslovakia happen?
Mar ‘39 German troops invaded remainder of Czechoslovakia, no-one resisted but GB+FR said if Poland was invaded they would declare war (Hitler didn’t believe them)
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
Stalin was worried about Germany as a threat since ‘33, he joined LON in ‘34 but after Abyssinia and Spanish Civil War LON seemed useless, GB+FR did nothing to stop German rearmament, Munich Agreement made GB+FR seem powerless to stop Hitler. USSR met with GB+FR Mar ‘39 but Chamberlain was reluctant to commit to supporting USSR. GB+FR promise to defend Poland if invaded seemed like support for potential Soviet enemy to Stalin. Nazi foreign minister Ribbentrop suggested a Nazi-Soviet Pact, Aug 23 Hitler and Stalin signed agreement, privately agreed to divide Poland. Germany gained land and security in case of war, USSR gained land and time before (still probable) invasion
What were some justifications for appeasement?
Standing up to Hitler sooner might not have helped if the Axis’ military strength was greater than expected, Chamberlain thought (and was informed by military advisors) that Britain was outmatched by the German military so appeasement bought time for rearmament, war may have been inevitable and there weren’t many options
When did WW2 start?
Hitler invaded Poland 1st Sep ‘39, GB+FR declared war 3rd Sep (surprising Hitler)
