Causes of WW2

Question 1

When did Hitler start rearming?

Answer 1

1933

Question 2

What reasons dis Hitler give for rearming (public vs truth)?

Answer 2

publicly: other countries wouldn’t disarm to Germany’s level
truth: decrease unemployment, menace TofV and strengthen Germany during GD

Question 3

What was Britain’s response to Germany rearming?

Answer 3

they signed and Anglo-German Naval agreement allowing Germany to expand army

Question 4

Why was Britain sympathetic of Germany rearming?

Answer 4

• they thought the TofV was harsh, Germany unable to protect itself
• good defense from communism

Question 5

France’s response to Germany rearming?

Answer 5

did not support, did not do anything as Britain supported Germany

Question 6

When did Hitler win the election to rule the Saar?

Answer 6

1935

Question 7

What reasons did Hitler give for ruling the Saar?

Answer 7

LoN wanted elections to occur as said in Treaty, Hitler obeyed and ended up winning

Question 8

What was Britain’s and France’s response towards Hitler ruling the Saar?

Answer 8

nothing - it was legal and according to the LoN and the TofV

Question 9

When did Hitler rearm the Rhineland?

Answer 9

March 1936

Question 10

What reasons did Hitler give for rearming the Rhineland?

Answer 10

defence: France and Russia had made an agreement to defend each other mutually from German attacks, said it threatened him

Question 11

What did the UK, the LofN and France do in response to Hitler rearming the Rhineland?

Answer 11

LofN was concerned with Abyssinian Crisis
French leaders did not want war (did not know how weak Germany’s army was)
Britain thought he had the right to rearm

Question 12

When did anschluss occur?

Answer 12

1938

Question 13

What were the events leading to anschluss in 1938?

Answer 13

Hitler proposed anschluss to Austrian chancellor, Schuschnigg.
Britain and France did not respond to Schuschnigg’s appeals. Plebiscite held in presence of Nazi troops. 99.75 voted for anschluss. anschluss occurred.

Question 14

What reasons did Hitler give for anschluss?

Answer 14

he encouraged Nazis in Austria to cause trouble and demand anschluss to govt. he used this to say it was the answer for peoples problems

Question 15

What was B + F’s response to anschluss?

Answer 15

nothing, did not want risk of war.
Chamberlain made plans to improve army, increasing rearmament budget, planning for compulsory military service and prepared air raid defences

Question 16

When did Hitler invade Poland?

Answer 16

Sept. 1st, 1939

Question 17

What reasons did Hitler give for invading Poland?

Answer 17

reclaim Polish corridor, sign Nazi-Soviet pact to eliminate Russian threat if he invaded Poland
He did not think B + F would declare war as they said they would

Question 18

What was B + F’s response to the Poland invasion?

Answer 18

declared war

Question 19

What were the events in 1938 that led to Germany being given the Sudetenland?

Answer 19

Hitler claimed he would fight Czechoslovakia for Sudetenland if necessary (bluffing?)
Hitler at first demanded part of the Sudetenland, which Chamberlain thought was reasonable, but then bargained for more, which Chamberlain said was unreasonable
September: Munich Agreement, Hitler given all of Sudetenland, USSR+Czechs not consulted

Question 20

What reason did Hitler give for wanting the Sudetenland?

Answer 20

the Czech gvt. was treating Sudeten Germans badly and he would save them

Question 21

What was UK’s and France’s response to Hitler wanting the Sudetenland?

Answer 21

at first Chamberlain agreed to Hitler’s demands (only part of Sudetenland + with a plebiscite) but disagreed when Hitler increased his demands.
Either way, B + F + I + G signed Munich Agreement, giving Hitler all of Sudetenland