Chapter 3: Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? Flashcards
What were the aims of Hitler’s foreign policy?
To destroy the Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany after her defeat in WW1. Hitler felt the Treaty was unfair and most Germans supported this view.
To unite all German speakers together in one country. After WW1, there were Germans living in many countries in Europe e.g. Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland. Hitler hoped that by uniting them together in one country he would create a powerful Germany.
To expand Eastwards into the East (Poland, Russia) to gain land for Germany (Lebensraum - Living space)
How did Hitler destroy the Treaty of Versailles?
Hitler built up his army in secret, then in 1935, he openly held a huge rearmament rally. Britain made a naval agreement with Germany that allowed Germany to build up its navy as long as it stayed under 35 per cent of the size of the British navy. In 1936, Hitler introduced conscription, and war-tested is army forces in the Spanish Civil War. In 1936. he also broke the Treaty of Versailles by moving troops into the Rhineland demilitarized zone. Hitler also broke the Treaty of Versailles in 1938 by invading Austria and declaring Anschluss. By the end of 1938, Hitler was doing the same thing in the Sudetenland which the Treaty of Versailles had given to Czechoslovakia.
How did Hitler build up his armed forces after 1933?
In 1935, Hitler ordered the rearmament of the German army, even though it was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler simply ignored all these provisions, and the Allies had no way to oppose him. The engagement of German industry in weapons production largely pulled the country out of an economic crisis that had lasted since 1929. Almost full employment was achived.
What happened to the Saar in 1935?
The Treaty of Versailles put the Saar under the League of Nations control and allowed the French to run its valuable coal mines for the next fifteen years. At the end of that time, the people of the Saar would vote to decide their future. They would have three choices: To remain under League control, to return to Germany or become part of France. In 1935 a plebiscite was held. Nine out of every ten Saarlanders voted to return to Germany. For Hitler, this was the first small step towards the union of all Germans in Germany.
Why did Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland in 1936?
In March, Hitler ordered his troops back into the Rhineland, against the terms of the Treaty. Hitler’s generals were against the move as they thought the French would resist and also because the German army was too weak. The army actually had strict orders to withdraw if they met any opposition but all went smoothly. The majority of people welcomed the troops. Britain thought Hitler was reclaiming what was rightfully Germany’s and took no action to resist the action and the French wouldn’t risk war without the support of the British. It was condemned by the League of Nations but they didn’t do anything because they were in the middle of the Abyssinian crisis.
What happened at the Munich Conference in September 1938?
On 29 September 1938, the Munich conference was called. Here Hitler met with representatives from France, the UK and Italy. An agreement was reached that Hitler could take the Sudetenland provided he promised not invade anywhere else. All four countries signed the agreement.
How did Hitler’s foreign policy lead to the outbreak of war in 1939?
Hitler’s foreign policy led to war by being so aggressive that eventually the French and British could no longer ignore the fact that Hitler was trying to gain a dominant position in Europe. Hitler’s foreign policy was one of expansion. He used the idea that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germans as a pretext for this expansion. He used it, along with the idea of self-determination for all ethnic groups, to justify the Anschluss with Austria. He used it to demand that the Sudetenland be given to Germany. He then used it to demand and get Czechoslovakia. When he finally used this rationale to invade Poland, the war started. This eventually led the French and British to be alarmed enough to declare war.
Why did Britain and France adopt a policy of appeasement towards Germany during the 1930s?
- Britain and France were both still suffering from economic depression and felt that they could not afford to spend a large expenditure on arms to combat these dictators.
- Britain and France were not prepared for war, France was weak and divided and Britain simply had not mobilised its army, appeasement gave both countries vital time to re-arm and mobilise their armies ready for war.
- War would have been very unpopular with the public.
- British war generals stated that Britain was not ready to fight a war on both fronts. Japan and Germany.
- The League of Nations had failed by the 1930s, so Chamberlain felt that it would be best to try and negotiate with and civilise the dictators.
- There was a feeling that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh towards Germany and it was only natural that they would try to break it.
Why did Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was a non-aggression pact that split Poland between the two countries. Stalin had two choices: if he made an alliance with Britain, he would end up fighting a war with Hitler over Poland - if he made an alliance with Germany, he would get half of Poland, and time to prepare for the coming war with Germany. Signed it on 23 August 1939.
Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact lead to the outbreak of war in 1939?
Fredd up Hitler to invade Poland, he knew that Britain couldn’t do anything to defend Poland, he invaded 9days later - Ended Britain’s hopes of an alliance with Russia to stop Hitler, people in Britain realised that nothing would stop Hitler now but war -
