History β | Let the peace topple! 𧱠| 3.2 Flashcards
What was Hitlerβs excuse for invading Austria? (anschluss)
He wanted to unite all German speaking people, and that having a growing population required more land.
How was Hitler able to unite with Austria despite Mussolini putting his army on alert in 1934 to prevent this?
Their relationsip had strenghtened by 1938.
What did the Austrian Chancellor do to restrict the activities of Nazis in Austria?
Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg announced a referendum whereby the Austrian people would decide for themselves if they wanted to be a part of Hitlerβs Germany. Hitler was mad as this would ruin his excuse.
When did Schuschnigg announce a referendum in Austria?
9 Mar 1938
How did Hitler respond to Schuschniggβs referendum?
He tells his generals to prepare for Austrian invasion. He orders Schuschnigg to call off the referendum. he does.
Why does Schuschnigg call off the refferendum?
He knows he wont have Italian help now that they changed sides, and that France and Britain wouldnt interfere due to appeasement.
When does Schuschnigg call off the refferendum?
10 Mar 1938
When do German troops march into Austria unopposed?
12 Mar 1938
How does Hitler show the world that the Union with Austria was legitimate?
He holds a rigged plebiscite himself and 99% of Austrians βAgreeβ with a 99% βturnoutβ
Was Anschluss actually supported by the Austrian public?
Yes
Why didnβt France do anything about Anschluss?
In March 1938, politics were in turmoil and 2 days before, the entire French government had resigned.
Why didnβt Britain do anything about Anschluss?
The population was against another European war and it just wouldnβt affect them. As both nations spoke German they felt it was fine, and the public sympathised with Germany.
What were the consequences of Anschluss?
- +7M people to Germany, 100k to Germanyβs Reich
- Germany gets steel, iron ore, and Austrian foreign exchange reserves
- Balance of power in SE Europe shifts in favour of Germany, with increased influence in the Balkans
- Czechoslovakia was surrounded on 3 front by Germany.
Why did Britain opt for appeasement and not forcefully stopping Germany?
After the Wall Street Crash (1929), Britain was economically very weak and could not afford to go to war again.
Why did Hitler hate Czechoslovakia and want to take over it? (at least justify)
- He thought the 3.5M sudenten Germans faced discrimination from Prague
- It was formed by the TOV, allying with FRANCE, and the SOVIET UNION
- Democratic
How were the Czechβs army?
A modern army with the rising tensions in Europe.
What was the symbol of John Bull?
A figure who signifies Britain, similar to uncle sam.
How did the Czech leader feel about Anschluss?
He was horrified, asking Britain and France for Help. They reculantly agree.
What is βhome ruleβ?
Government of a country, dependent country, or region by its own citizens.
What was the leader of Sudetenland Germans told that began the buildup of the Sudetenland crisis?
He was told by Hitler to start making demands for βHome ruleβ of Sudetens.
How did Czechs feel about home rule?
They thought it was unacceptable as it meant the breakup of their country.
Why do the Czechs mobilize their army?
They mobilise due to false rumours of a German attack.
How did Hitler feel about the mobilisation of the Czech army?
He now felt strongly that he should βsmash Czechoslovakiaβ by the 1st of October 1938. He was still cautious in case world opinion turned against him.
When did the Czechs mobilise their army?
May 1938
When did Hitler finish his plans for small scale military action against the Czechs?
Early September β38
What led to Neville Chamberlain believing there would be a war between Hitler and Czechoslovakia?
Hitler made a bitter speech attacking Czechoslovakia which sparked a Sudeten uprising.
When did Hitler make a speech against Czechoslovakia?
12 Sept β38
What happened on the 19th september 1938 Chamberlain-Hitler meeting?
In response to his claims, Chamberlain decided to Give Hitler what he wanted in Sudetenland - for Sudeten Germans to join the reich.
How did the September Chamberlain-Hitler meetings evolve?
- Hitler wants German Sudentens
2. Hitler now wants ALL of sudetenland to be occupied by German troops immediately
When does Hitler demand for all of Sudetenland to be occupied by German troops?
22 Sept β38
How does Chamberlain react to Hitlerβs decision to forcefully take over all of Sudetenland?
He is horrified (common theme) and returns to Britain to mobilise British and French navy. He is ready for war.
Why do the Munich talks happen?
Hitler, realising he is close to war with France and Britain, decides he does not want this and agrees to an international conference.
`When was the Munich agreement?
29 Sept 1938.
What were the results of the Munich agreement?
- Sudetenland would be given to Germany over a 10 day period
- Where the population is mixed, plebiscites will be held to guarantee what would happen
Why did the Czech government agree tot he Munich agreement?
If they were to turn it down, they would have to face Germanyβs now stationed army.
What are the consequences of the Munich agreement? (who gets what)
- Germany takes over Sudetenland
- Hungary and Poland take over other Czech territory
- No war (YET!!)
How was Chamberlain so so so so so so so so so so satisfied with himself after he came back home from Britain? (what pledge did he make with hitler)
uh.. he signed a piece of paper with hitler to pledge that both men would do what they could to promote european peaceβ¦β¦ thatll workβ¦..
When does appeasement end?
After invasion of Czechoslovakia
In Oct 1938, what % of the British population doesnβt believe Hitler will not take over Czechoslovakia?
93%
When do German troops take over Czechoslobakia?
March 1939
What is the reaction to Hitler taking over Czechoslovakia?
No resistance from Czechs, or Britain and France.
What do France and Britain warn Hitler of after taking Czechoslovakia?
War will be declared if he invades Poland.
How does Hitler react to Britain and Germanyβs war threats?
He doesnt believe them (britain who cried wolf)
How does Stalin feel about Hitlerβs foreign policies and how does he react?
He is scared; He has a treaty with France in 1935 and negotiations continue till 1939
When was the Nazi-soviet pact?
Aug 1939
Why was the nazi-soviet pact signed?
Though Stalin know it wouldnβt be honoured by Hitler, it would buy him time to build up forces.
What does the nazi-soviet pact agree to?
Not to attack each other and the invasion of Poland
When does Hitler invade Poland?
Sept 1 1939
When do France and Britain declare war on Hilter?
Sept 3 1939
What was the promise the allies made that worried Stalin?
The promise to declare war if Poland was invaded
Why did Mussolini focus on Abyssinia specifically when expanding Italyβs influence?
It would help him to unify all African colonies in Italy which were already in place.
How much did Germany spend on armaments in 1933?
5 billion RM
(reichsmarks)
How much did Germany spend on armaments in 1933?
5 billion RM
(reichsmarks)
How much did Germany spend on armaments in 1936?
Germany spent 10 billion RM on armaments in 1936
(reichsmarks)
How many members did the Italian army have?
200,000
What amount of Italian budget was dedicated to the military?
They were spending 1/3 of their entire budget on military!
How many members did Japanβs army have in 1931?
198,000
How many members did Japanβs army have in 1937?
Japanβs army had 300,000 members in 1937
How many members did Japanβs army have in 1941?
1,400,000
How many navy battleships did Japan have in 1941?
10
How many aircraft carriers did Japan have in 1941?
Japan had 10 aircraft carriers in 1941
How many submarines did Japan have in 1941?
65
How many combat aircraft did Japan have in 1941?
1500
Who replaces Schuschnigg after Anschluess?
Seyss-Inquart, a leading Austrian Nazi
In the nazi-soviet pact, what spheres of influence were Germany and the USSR given?
- Prior to the invasion of Poland, the western half of Poland was Germanyβs
- The rest of Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania fell into the Soviet sphere
Why did the idea of appeasement falter in 1939?
Hitlerβs claims on the rest of Czechoslovakia and Poland could not be justified by the principle of self-determination.
What was the terms of the 1939 German ultimatum to Poland?
Germany would not invade Poland if Danzig and the Polish Corridor was handed over
When was the German ultimatum to Poland?
1939, August
