Conflict and Tension Flashcards
How far away could a gun be heard?
140 miles
How many soldiers did Britain lose?
1 million
How many soldiers did France lose?
1.4 million
How many soldiers did the US lose?
100,000
How many countries fought in WWI?
30
How many soldiers were wounded?
21.2 million
What were the social effects of war?
- Less food
- Loss of lives
- Young children (14 was youngest age)
- Houses were destroyed
What were the political effects of war?
- League of Nations set up to ensure peace
- disputes
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations?
£22 billion
What were the economical effect of war?
-300,000 houses
-6000 factories
-1600km of railway
and 112 coal mines destroyed
What did Clemenceau want from Germany? Why?
Revenge, reparations, guarantee it wouldn’t happen again so it wouldn’t have the same devastating effect all over again.
What did Woodrow Wilson want from Germany? Why?
League of nations, no revenge and little punishment to be fair and remain peace with Germany
What did Lloyd George want for Germany? Why?
Germany should be stable so they could trade
What was Lloyd George concerned about in the punishment of Germany?
Germany would be homeless and poor, therefore needing extra support if they were punished harshly
How was Germany made to pay in terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Loose land, couldn’t go in Rhineland, less military and pay reparations
What were Wilson’s 14 points?
- No secret treaties
2.Free access to the seas in peacetime and wartime
3.Free trade between countries - All countries to work towards disarmament
- Colonies to have a say in their own future
- German troops to leave Russia
- Independence for Belgium
- France to regain Alsace-Lorraine
- Frontier between Austria and Italy to be adjusted
- Self-determination for people of Eastern Europe
- Serbia to have access to the sea
- Self-determination for people of the Turkish Empire
13.Poland to become an independent state with access
to the sea - League of Nations to be set up
When was the Treaty of Versailles agreed?
June 1919
How many countries came together in the Treaty of Versailles?
32
What was the Treaty of Versailles also known as?
Paris Peace Conference
What country had no say in the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany
How much land did Germany lose as a result of the ToV?
10%
How many overseas colonies did Germany lose as a result of the ToV?
All
How many coalfields did Germany lose as a result of the ToV?
16%
How much of their steel and iron industry did Germany lose as a result of the ToV?
half
How much of the population did Germany lose as a result of the ToV?
12.5%
After the ToV, what happened to Alsace Lorraine?
It was restored to France
After the ToV, what happened to the provinces of Eupen and Malmedy?
Given to Belgium after plebiscites
After the ToV, what happened to North Schleswig?
It was transferred to Denmark after a plebiscite
After the ToV, what happened to The Saar Coalfields?
It was put under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years and France was allowed to take control of the coal. After 15 years there would be a plebiscite.
After the ToV, what happened to Independent Poland that was destroyed in the 18th century?
It was restored
After the ToV, what happened to the port of Danzig?
It was made a free city placed under the control of the League of Nations. (It had a mainly German population, but Poland needed it for an outlet to the sea trade)
After the ToV, what happened to Upper Silesia?
It was divided between Germany and Poland after a plebiscite
After the ToV, what happened to the port of Memel?
It was to be ruled by the League of Nations , but was taken by Lithuania in 1923
After the ToV, what was forbidden?
The union of Austria and Germany (Anschluss)
After the ToV, what happened to Germany’s colonies?
They were surrendered and given to the victorious powers as mandates by the League of Nations
What were the strengths of the ToV? 5
- Money available to rebuild war torn Europe
- Germany couldn’t start another war
- Borders controlled
- Military restriction reassured France/Belgium that Germany wouldn’t start another war
- Self-determination for Danzig, Poland and Czech
What were the weaknesses of the ToV? 5
- War guilt clause
- Reparations
- Military restrictions
- Made Germany determined to get revenge
- People resented Germany
What was the League of Nations?
A group of countries with common aims
What were the aims of the LoN? 4
- Encourage cooperation
- Work towards disarmament
- Improve peace in world
- Improve social conditions
What were the arguments for America being involved in the LoN? 7
- they wanted peace too
- Wilson was good at negotiating terms
- America was big enough to help lots of countries
- America had a strong voice
- Similar language made negotiating easier
- Democracy-use of diplomacy
- Give LoN credibility (take it more serious)
What were the arguments against America being involved in the LoN? 7
-They weren’t involved much in war (only 100,000 lives
lost
-If they went into poverty across America they would
need lots of help
-Forced to be more involved in future wars
-America was isolationist
-Too far away
-Lots of Germans in America that hated the ToV
-LoN was mainly under control of Britain and France, some Americans were anti-French/British
In the LoN, what was the role of the Secretariat?
They dealt with the admin and paperwork, often recorded meetings.
In the LoN, what was the role of the International Labour Organisation?
They met once a year and discussed working conditions to improve workers rights.
In the LoN, what did the special commissions do?
Deal with;
- Health
- Slavery
- Undeveloped nations
- Refugees
- Minorities
- Mandates
- Women
In the LoN, what was the role of the General Assembly?
Each nation that was a member of the LoN had a representative in assembly. They met once a year to discuss treaties and new members, all decisions had to be unanimous (everyone had to agree).
In the LoN, what was the role of the Council of the League?
The permanent members (BR, FR, IT, JP) met 5 times a year to solve disputes occurring between states and discuss collective security. They were joined by 4 non-permanent member (elected every 3 years) and had the Power of VETO (ability to override any decision)
In the LoN, what was the role of the Court of International Justice?
15 judges were chosen from the LoN and set up in The Hague. They made sure disputes were settled in terms of laws. They could only suggest new laws though.
What were the strengths of the LoN?
- Set up by the ToV, which had been signed and agreed by 32 countries
- It had 3 big world powers
- Germany was not allowed to join until 1925 (LoN could enforce proper punishments
- The LoN had means of influence to force countries to join
- The LoN could apply trading sanctions
What were the weaknesses of the LoN?
- The USA did not want to join
- The Russians refused to join (communists)
- The secretariat was understaffed and under payed
- The LoN could apply military force, but had no army of it’s own
- LoN set up by ToV, hated by lots of people (Germans and some Americans especially)
- Moral condemnation: LoN would declare in public that a country was wrong, public opinion would force it to stop
PROBLEM: Aaland Islands
In 1921, Finland and Sweden couldn’t decide who should govern it
PROBLEM: Corfu 1923
Border between Greece and Albania needed to be sorted out. Italian General Tellini told to supervise it, he was ambushed and killed. Murder blamed on Greek government
PROBLEM: Greece and Bulgaria
Had a dispute over patrolling border because Greek soldier was killed
PROBLEM: Turkey
League tried to stop a bloody war between Turkey, but responded to humanitarian crisis.
PROBLEM: Upper Silesia
ToV gave people of Upper Silesia right to have a vote on whether they wanted to be part of Weimar Germany or Poland
PROBLEM: Lithuanians
League responded to Lithuanians who used force.
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Aaland Islands
They asked LoN to resolve problems. LoN said it belonged to Finland but no weapons should be kept there. Both countries agreed
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Corfu 1923
LoN suggested Greece should pay compensation but the money to be given to League. Mussolini accepted Leagues decision
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Greece and Bulgaria
League ordered both to stop, experts were sent and Greece was fined £45,000
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Turkey
League sent doctors to check spread of disease and spent £10 million on building farms, houses etc
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Upper Silesia
League settled dispute and split Upper Silesia between Germany and Poland
HOW WAS PROBLEM RESOLVED: Lithuania
Memel is a port in Lithuania, government believed port should be governed by Lithuania, however French acted as Governor.
1921 Washington Peace Conference
USA, Britain, France and Japan agreed to limit the size of their navies
1922 Rapallo Treaty
The USSR and Germany re-established diplomatic relations. (‘pals’-‘raPALlo’)
1924 The Dawes Plan
To avert a terrible economic crisis in Germany, the USA lent money to Germany to help it pay reparations bill (opening the door (‘dawes’) to new opportunity)
1925 Locarno treaties
Germany accepted its western borders as set out in the Treaty of Versailles
1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact
65 nations agreed not use force to settle disputes. Also known as the Pact of Paris. (Using a spoon to eat 65 different cereals (Kellogg) instead of a fork)
1929 Young Plan
Reduced Germany’s reparations payments
What were the causes of the Stock market Crash? 3
- millions had money in stock exchange
- shares increased by 400%
- all countries relied on America to help pay them because they were the richest country
When was the Stock Market Crash?
24th October 1929
What were the consequences of the Stock Market Crash?
- debt
- unemployment (2.5 million lost jobs by 1930)
- banks shut
- other countries went downhill because the relied on America for trade
- homelessness
- worldwide economic crisis
- political changes as all roads of blame lead to government
- when America sneezes the whole work catches a cold
When was the Manchurian Crisis?
1931-1932
Who was sent to investigate the Manchurian Crisis?
Lord Lytton (British League Commissioner)
Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
- They wanted to extend country due to an increase in population
- Claimed a bomb had gone off on railway (giving them an excuse to invade)
What happened in September 1931 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
Japan claimed the Chines left a bomb on the railway they guarded, this gave them an excuse to invade Manchuria and claim as their own as they needed the space due to a growing population.
What happened in February 1932 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
They set up a puppet government in Manchuria and the Japanese army obeyed to anything that they said
What happened in September 1932 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
Japanese aeroplanes and gunships bombed Shanghai, civilian government asked them to stop. Decided that Manchuria should be returned to Chinese.
What happened in February 1933 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
Japanese announced they would invade more of China, claimed they needed it for defence
What happened in 24th February 1933 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
Report from league officials in assembly voted 42 votes to 1. Japan got angry that the couldn’t use power of VETO and resigned from League
What happened on 27th March 1933 in terms of the Manchurian Crisis?
After Japan invaded Jehol the League was powerless and could do no more
Summarise the Manchurian Crisis.
1931-Japan claimed Chinese left a bomb on railway
Feb 1932- Set up puppet government
Sept 1932- Japanese bombed Shanghai, decided it should return to Chinese
Feb 1933- Japanese announced they would invade more of China
Feb 1933- 42 votes to 1 in LoN, Japan got angry that they couldn’t override decision and resigned from League.
Mar 1933- After Japan invaded Jehol the League could do no more
Why did the LoN fail to act in the Manchurian Crisis?
- Japan was a permanent member
- Lytton report took 1 year due to long journey etc.
Summarise the Abyssinian Crisis.
- Mussolini demanded an apology after an incident at Wal-Wal Oasis in 1994, League asked to step in
- Mussolini (Italy), Britain and France sign the Stresa Pact in 1935, this gives Mussolini the go-ahead to attack Abyssinia
- Leagues investigation finds no blame, Mussolini rejects offer of a small piece of Abyssinia
- 1935, Mussolini orders invasion of Abyssinia, League meets to plan sanctions but does very little over fear of keeping Mussolini as a block to Hitler
- 1935 Mussolini completely takes over Abyssinia. League fails ti prevent open aggression winning
- Two foreign ministers Hoare and Laval try to deal with Mussolini behind the back of the League. Both men are sacked, delaying further sanction talks
What were the causes of the Abyssinian Crisis? 3
- Italian population was growing
- Mussolini wanted his own empire
- Italians asked Britain and France for permission to have Abyssinia, France gave permission in 1935, Britain considered it for ages
Why did the LoN fail to react to the Abyssinian Crisis? 3
- Didn’t want to loose another permanent member
- Didn’t want to loose trade
- Japan got away with the Manchurian Crisis
What were the 4 main failures of the LoN in the 1930s?
- The depression on 1929 after the Wall St Crash
- Disarmament during Abyssinian and Manchurian Crisis
- Abyssinian Crisis in 1935-1936,Hoare and Laval, not being able to decide effective sanctions
- Manchurian Crisis in 1931-1933, no action from the League for a long time
What were Hitlers aims that he outlined in Mein Kampf? 6
- Make Germany great again
- Make Germany powerful
- Destroy communism
- Unite German speaking people under his rule
- Gain back lost land in the east to provide lebensraum for German people
- Reverse ToV
Define lebensraum.
Living space
How did Hitler get away with re-arming? 7
- The German public would support it
- Many other countries were using rearmament to fight unemployment
- Collapse of LoN Disarmament Conference in 1934 showed countries weren’t prepared to disarm
- Rearmament was popular in Germany as it boosted Nazi support
- Britain was sympathetic with Germany as they believe ToV restrictions were too tight
- Britain thought Germany would be able to help them fight against communism
- Britain had signed the Anglo-German naval agreement in 1935, breaking the terms of ToV
What happened in 1926 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
Germany was allowed to join the LoN
What happened in October 1933 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
Hitler withdrew from the LoN, but continued to state that Germany wanted peace
What happened in November 1933 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
Hitler withdrew Germany from the World Disarmament Conference on the grounds that no other country was prepared to disarm
What happened in 1934 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
Hitler signed a 10 year non aggression pact with Poland to satisfy Poland that Germany wouldn’t try to take back the Polish Corridor and satisfy Britain that saw it as proof that Hitlers aims were peaceful.
What happened in 1935 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
Introduction of conscription in Germany, Hitlers excuse was that France had increased their term of conscription from 12 to 18 months.
What happened in June 1935 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement was signed, this limited the German navy to 35% the strength of the British fleet, Hitler called it the “happiest day of his life”
What happened in 1938 in terms of the rearmament of Germany?
German army had reached 800,000, had 47 U-boats and over 2,000 aircraft
Summarise the Return of the Saar in 1935
The Saar coalfields were placed under the control of the LoN in 1919, after 15 yrs a plebiscite would be held on whether it should belong to Germany. Hitler placed Nazi storm troopers on the border and anyone who opposed the return of the Saar was beaten up. In January 1935 90% of the Saarlanders voted for The Saar to return to Germany.
Why did Hitler see the return of the Saar as a major success? 2
- It was the first step to undoing the ToV
- Encouraged Hitler to take risks int he future
Summarise how Hitler remiliterised the Rhineland
- March 1936, Hitler moved troops into Rhineland
- FR and USSR just signed a treaty to be protected against GM, Hitler used this as an excuse to say they were under threat and should be allowed to put troops in the Rhineland
- Hitler was confident that Britain wouldn’t try and stop him now they didn’t have help from Italy
- Hitler was told to take troops out of Rhineland
- BR and FR not paying much attention to GM due to Abyssinian crisis (Italy distracting them)
- BR tried to help GM because they didn’t want more wars (appeasement)
- League condemned Hitlers actions but didn’t have any more power
- FR couldn’t tell how big GM army was so refused to take action without BR
- Hitlers gamble paid off
Armistice
Agreed ceasefire, both sides agree to end war
Disarmament
Reduce army/navy/military capacity
Self-determination
To be able to rule themselves, not ruled by others
Empire
One country controls other smaller countries/colonies
Treaty
Signed agreement
Colonies
A small country ruled by a larger one
Satire
Using comedy to make a political statement
Mandate
When one country is given the authority to rule another country
Conscription
Compulsory signing up to military
Diktat
Dictated peace (GM had no say in ToV)
Covenant
A formal written agreement or promise
Secretariat
Civil service/admin in the League of Nations
Council
A small group of major powers
Moral condemnation
A public “telling off”
Veto
One country (permanent member) having the [power to override another countries decision or vote
Sanction
To be punished or harshly spoken to
Collective security
If one state attacks the other all the members would join together and act against the aggressor
Appeasement
Use diplomatic means (talks/meetings) to avoid conflict/war at all costs
Plebiscite
A public vote
Anschluss
Political union
Summarise how Hitler was able to achieve anschluss with Austria.
- 1934 Hitler tried to take over Austria but failed
- Italy had an agreement with Austria to protect Austria
- GM and IT formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, Austria lost Italy’s protection
- In 1938 the Nazi party in Austria was strong, Hitler go Nazis to stir up trouble, they staged demonstrations and caused riots, told government only Anschluss could solve it
- Plebiscite held
- Nazi troops pressurised and watched people vote
- 99.75% voted for Anschluss
- Britain and France weren’t prepared to defend a flawed treaty
What were the reasons for appeasement from Britain and France in the 1930s? 6
- Hitler appeared to be standing up to communism
- America didn’t want to be involved in another war
- Lots of people agreed that the ToV was unfair
- Britain and France still had economic problems
- British government didn’t think armed forces were prepared to stand up to Hitler
- Britain and France didn’t want horrors of WW1 again
What were the reasons against appeasement from Britain and France in the 1930s? 4
- Hitler got away with gamble and encouraged him to take bigger risks
- Others were made to believe that Hitler was trustworthy
- Germany grew too strong and powerful than Britain and France
- It scared USSR because Hitler needed more land, USSR wouldn’t have the protection of Britain or France
Summarise Hitlers occupation of the Sudetenland
MAY 1938-Hitler made it clear he would fight Czechoslovakia for Sudetenland
SUMMER 1938-Tension rise in Europe, gas masks, air raid shelters etc
15th SEPTEMBER 1938-Chamberlain flew to meet Hitler to avoid war
19th SEPTEMBER 1938-French and British gave plans to Czechs, Hitler got the parts of the Sudetenland he wanted
22nd SEPTEMBER 1938-3 days later he wanted all of the Sudetenland
29th SEPTEMBER 1938- A final meeting held in Munich, decided Hitler should have all of Sudetenland, this was known as the Munich agreement
1st OCTOBER 1938- German troops marched into Sudetenland, this formed part of the 100 year German Reich (Empire)
