Appeasement Flashcards
What does the term “appeasement” mean?
To compromise and give in to an aggressive person to calm them down and keep them happy.
What was the failed and succeeded Anschluss and what does the word mean? What were the reactions of it?
Anschluss - the reunification of Germany and Austria.
1934 - Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazi Party to rebel.
Austrian Chancellor Dolfuss was murdered.
Mussolini moved his army to the frontier of Austria to protect its independence. Hitler’s army was not strong enough and backed down - he denied any involvement to the Austrian Nazi Party.
CONSEQUENCES:
Hitler signed the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact with Mussolini - meaning Hitler could invade Austria again - Austria lost Italy’s protection.
The new Chancellor, Schuschigg was undermined and tried to appease Hitler by signing the Austrian Agreement (1936) - Austrian foreign policy to match Germany’s. Allowed Nazis to hold official posts in Austria.
1938 - Hitler made demands for Nazis to have key government posts. Schuschnigg made Seyss-Inquart Minister of the Interior.
Hitler told the Austrian Nazi Party to make more trouble to pressure Schuschnigg.
1938 March - Schuschigg announced a referendum - Austrian people could decide to be apart of Germany. Hitler furious - would ruin his excuse for invasion!
Hitler told generals to be prepare for invasion. Told Schuschnigg to call it off. Schuchnigg agreed and resigned.
Seyss-Inquart asked for Germany’s help to restore order in Austria. German troops marched in, unopposed. Hitler held a rigged referendum - Austria approved of Germany’s control!
REACTIONS:
France - had no government - no one to make decisions!
Britain - no political will to oppose Germany - Chamberlain wanted to appease Hitler!
CONSEQUENCES:
Czechoslovakia surrounded on three fronts by Germany - led to Sudeten Crisis and Munich Agreement!
Germany gained more people, an army and resources.
What was the Sudeten Crisis and Munich agreement?
1938 15th Sep - Chamberlain met with Hitler. He told that he wanted all German-speaking parts of Sudetenland to join Germany, but only after plebiscites. Forced the Czech president to agree.
22nd Sep - Chamberlain returned to Germany. Chamberlain had persuaded France and Czecholovakia to accept the demands - Hitler surprised. He asked for more - the immediate occupation of Sudetenland by Germany. Britain prepares for war!
30th Sep - Chamberlain, Hitler, Mussolini and Daladier met at the Munich Conference and Agreement. Agreed to Germany’s demands!
1st October - Chamberlain returned to Britain - told them good news!
What were the consequences of it?
-Europe saved from war.
-Time for Britain, France and Germany to build up armies.
-Czechs deserted and lost resources and defences!
-Hitler decided that Britain and France wouldn’t oppose him - he turned his attention to the rest of Czechs.
-Stalin was left out of Munich Conference. Felt like Britain and France wouldn’t help if Hitler invaded USSR!
He felt betrayed.
