Contexts and Tensions: Reasons for the Rise of Dictators

Question 1

Issue 01: Locarno Treaties

Answer 1

• These had only settled the western borders of Germany

- The borders on the East were vulnerable for German expansion and people wanted strong leaders to protect them

Question 2

Issue 02: The Depression

Answer 2

• This still affected most countries, causing unemployment and poverty
• People wanted strong governments to put things right

Question 3

Issue 03: The Demise of Democracy

Answer 3

• Democracy was blamed for poor conditions

- Democratic governments had seemed unable to help the situation

Question 4

Issue 04: Communism

Answer 4

• Was seen as a threat to Europe after the Russian Revolution in 1917
• Especially rich people looked for strong leaders to prevent a revolution by the workers

Question 5

Issue 05: Isolationism

Answer 5

• America still didn’t want to get involved in European affairs
• Britain and France weren’t strong enough to oppose so many new dictatorships

Question 6

Issue 06: France

Answer 6

• Still didn’t trust the Germans and starting building defences on the Maginot Line
• The Germans felt like they needed a strong leader to defend from this French threat

Question 7

Issue 07: Failure to Disarm

Answer 7

• Many countries refused to disarm because they were suspicious of one another
• Germany in particular was angry at this because the Treaty of Versailles had reduced their army significantly

Question 8

What, apart from political manipulation and man power, aided Hitler to gain full power?

Answer 8

German discontent towards the Treaty of Versailles and conditions in Germany and Europe

Question 9

What four things are examples of Hitler’s foreign policy?

Answer 9

1) He wanted the Treaty of Versailles overturned (turned opposite)
2) He wanted to rearm and become a strong military power
3) He wanted all German people and German speakers to be united in one German Reich
4) He wanted to expand by taking land from others to create “Lebensraum” for German people

Question 10

How did Hitler prepare for his big expansion?

Answer 10

1) In 1933, he withdrew from the Disarmament Conference and later withdrew from the League itself
2) In 1934 he signed a 10-Year-Friendship Pact with Poland which had the effect of weakening Poland’s alliance with France
3) In March 1935, he brought in military conscription, thus breaking the rules of the Treaty
4) In June 1935, Germany signed an agreement with Britain that allowed it to have 35% of British naval strength and 45% of British submarine strength. This implied Germany had the right to rearm.