How far was Hitlers policy responsible for the second world war? Flashcards
1
Q
How did Hitler invade Czechozlavakia?
A
The Nazis struck a deal (the Munich agreement) with Britain so they were allowed to take over the Sudentenland. They then took over the rest of the country.
2
Q
What happened with Poland in 1939?
A
Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nazi-Soviet non aggression pact, both powers agreeing to divide up Polish territory if war began. This was also called the Molotov Rippentrop pact. Hitler then invaded Poland pretending that Poland had invaded first. Britain and France then declared war on Germany.
3
Q
What happened with Austria in 1934?
A
Hitler ordered the Austrain Nazis to create havoc in Austria. This lead to a failed Nazi attempt to overthrow the government as the military intervened. Italy honoured its treaty with Austria and moved its troops in to deter Germany.
4
Q
What happened with the Rhineland in 1936?
A
Hitler moved troops into the Rhineland. The league of nations condemned Hitler but had no power to do anything. France refused to do anything without British support and Chamberlain famously said that they were just “walking into their own back yard. “ It was a risk for Hitler and if he had been met with resistance he arguably would have lost power as he was not prepared to face any.
5
Q
What happened with Austria in 1938?
A
Hitler encouraged the chancellor of Austria to have a referendum to be united with Germany as he’d had the Nazis stiring up trouble. Hitler sent troops into Germany claiming it was to make sure the referendum was trouble free. The referendum had 99% people voting for reunification. The British primieninster supported this as the British and France were beginning to see the TOV as flawed.
6
Q
What was the Munich agreement?
A
September 29–30, 1938: Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France sign the Munich agreement, by which Czechoslovakia must surrender its border regions and defenses (the so-called Sudeten region) to Nazi Germany.
7
Q
Who was Otto Von Bismark?
A
He was a chancellor who was determined to unite the German states into a single empire. He captured the provances of Schleswig and Holstein from Denmark. He also won a victory against the Southern German states who agreed to join the empire. He also aimed to make Germany the most powerful empire in Europe. He negotiated an alliance with Austria Hungary to contract Russia France. He also came up with the medertarinan agreements of 1887 to preserve the status quo against a threat of Russia.
8
Q
Who was Kaiser Wihelm II ?
A
He had a scheme of colonial expansion. He wanted to turn Germany into a global superpower, this scheme was called Wetpolitik. Colonial policies became a matter of prestige and as Germany was a late comer to colonial matters it was important for Germany to stand up for itself. However, only relatively small gains were made and the polciys ultimate failure would be forseen after the first World War. The September program drawn up by the government at the start of ww1 set out Germanys ambition to take over vast areas of eastern Europe
9
Q
When had anschluss become popular?
A
In the late 19th century between German nationalists
10
Q
Where did aryanism have its origins?
A
The concept of ubermensch in relation to the German people had its origin in the late 19th century works of Frederick Nietzche.
11
Q
Who came up with the idea of living space?
A
German thinker Friedrich Ratzel in the late 19th century. He said that human beings had to migrate in order to flourish.
12
Q
What does sonderweg mean?
A
The idea that Germany followed a special path which caused the country to be more militaristic and aggressive than others
13
Q
When Churchill spoke in the house of commons in 1935 what did he say?
A
germany was preparing for war
14
Q
How were the Nazis involved in the Spanish civil war?
A
German involvement in the Spanish Civil War commenced with the outbreak of war in July 1936, with Adolf Hitler immediately sending in powerful air and armored units to assist General Francisco Franco and his Nationalist forces. They then used the fact that they had showed so much force to threaten the Austrian leadership.
15
Q
Why did Hitler focus his efforts on the Soviet pact?
A
He believed that Britain wouldn’t step into help the Polish.
16
Q
Name 5 reasons why appeasement happened.
A
- People knew the treaty of versailles was too harsh so they didn’t want to enforce it. 2. People didn’t want a repeat of WW1. 3. They believed the empire was more important than Eastern Europe. 4. Britain wasn’t ready for war 5. Britain didn’t think they’d have any support from America and Canada was the only dominan that said they would support Britain in event of war.
17
Q
What are 4 consequences of appeasement?
A
- Germany rearms including the Rhineland 2. Germany invades the Sudentenland and then Czechzovakia 3. The Munich agreement .4.The invasion of Poland
18
Q
What’s anschluss?
A
The uniting of all German speakers
19
Q
What event exacerbated the problems of America, Britain and France?
A
The Great depression. This meant that the countries were focused on their own problems instead of international ones.
20
Q
What happened in Manchuria in 1931?
A
Japan had invaded. The league of nations had done nothing, showing its ineffectiveness which encouraged the later actions of Mussolini and Hitler. It also made clear that Britain would struggle to uphold its commitments to the empire and the league of nations at the same time.
21
Q
What happened to the Saarland in 1935?
A
After being under the control of the league of nations for 15 years they voted to join Germany again in a free and fair plepasiste. This was seen as a great propaganda success for the Naziz.
22
Q
Who did Hitler keep as foreign minister when he became chancellor?
A
Constain von Neurath. This presented the image of stability which reassured other nations of Hitlers good leadership.
23
Q
What happened at the disarmament conference in 1933?
A
Hitler withdrew from that and the league of nations as France refused to accept proposals for equal numbers and military of land forces for the two countries. In this way, it appeared that the French were the ones being unreasonable whilst Germany evoked sympathy especially from Britain and Italy.
24
Q
In March 1935 what did Hitler declare?
A
The existence of the Luftwaffe and the introduction of conscription and a peace time army of 550,000. This went against the terms of the treaty of Versailles and this lead to the Stresa Declaration.
25
What was the stresa declaration?
Verbal commnation of Germany by Britain, France and Italy after they'd introduced conscription and the luftwaffe.
26
What was Hitlers aims in the early years of Nazi foreign policy?
To cultivate friendship with Britain and Italy and to weaken French power and influence whenever possible.
27
What did Hitler sign in January 1934?
A 10 year non aggression pact with Poland. It created the impression of reasonableness and that Germany and Poland had come to an understanding. However Hitler did not see this as a long term plan as he viewed Poland as a gateway to lebensraum in the East.
28
What did Britain and Germany sign in June 1935?
A naval agreement which ignored the treaty of versailles and allowed Germany to have a navy 35 per cent the strength of the British fleet.
29
What was the hossbach memorandum?
The Hossbach Memorandum was a note compiled by Colonel Count Friedrich Hossbach of a secret meeting between Hitler and his top military and political leadership on the 5 November 1937. At the meeting, Hitler discussed his plans for foreign policy in the years ahead. Here, according to Hossbach, Hitler stated that the time for a war for Lebensraum was near. Hitler declared that the primary targets for this desired ‘living space’ were Austria and Czechoslovakia. The question, Hitler stated, was not if, but when and how.
Hitler also identified a time frame in which the war for Lebensraum would ideally take place: 1943-45
30
3 extracts from 25 point plan of 1925
1. We demand unification of all Germans in the Greater Germnay and the basis of the right of self determination of the peoples 2. We demand equality of the rights for the German people in respect to the other nations abrogation of the peace treaties of versailles and St Germain. 3. We demand land and territory (colonies) for the sustenance of our people and colonisation of our surplus populations
31
Did Hitler talk about lebensraum in mein kampf?
Yes, he talked about getting it at the expense of russia and the ending of Russia as a state. He also mentioned it in his unpublished second book
32
What was the 4 year plan?
The policy of autarky attempted to make Germany self-sufficient, so it would no longer be necessary for Germans to trade internationally. In 1936, Hermann Göring was appointed leader of the Four Year Plan (1936-40). His powers and the plan itself conflicted with Schacht's, the current economic minister, and Schacht resigned in 1937. The Four Year Plan aimed to speed up rearmament and make Germany self-sufficient to ensure it was ready for war. The measures he introduced, such as tighter controls on imports and subsidies for farmers to produce more food, were not successful. By the outbreak of World War Two Germany was still importing 20 per cent of its food and 33 per cent of its raw materials.
33
When did Italy invade Ethiopia and what did this have to do with the Nazis?
In 1936. As Mussolini had helped Austria in 1934 And so, when Italy invaded Abyssinia a year later, Hitler made clear his outrage through the sending of aid to Ethiopia. He couldn’t care less for the fate of the Ethiopians, he merely wished to send a message to Mussolini. It was really pretty insignificant. But the message was there, the message that if Mussolini did not support Hitler, Hitler would not support Mussolini.
34
What was the pact of steel?
Alliance between Germany and Italy. Signed by Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini on May 22, 1939, it formalized the 1936 Rome-Berlin Axis agreement, linking the two countries politically and militarily.
35
What was the Polish guarantee?
After the invasion of Czechoslovakia Britain , the USSR and France agreed that if Poland was invaded they would act.
36
What's pan germanism?
The uniting of all German speaking people.
37
What did Lloyd George inform military chiefs of after ww1?
He told them to plan defence spending on the assumption that no war would occur for ten years. Britain would remain parity with the United States in the building of battle ships and no new ones should be brought into service for 10 years. The government could also not afford to build any new battle ships.
38
Why did the British government reject a millitary alliance with France in the 1920s?
They were afraid of being dragged into another war.
39
What was the league of nations?
It was formed on the 10th of Januaey 1920 as a result of the Paris peace conference. The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Japan were permanent members of the executive council and had the powers to enforce its resolutions, keep to its economic sanctions and provide an army when needed. The council also had 9 temporary members elected by the council.There were 42 nations. Russia was band as it was communist and America refused to join and cut its self off from the world.
40
Who strongly opposed war?
Ramsay Macdonald who becme prime minister in 1924. He signed the Geneva protocol with France saying that disputes between countries should be taken to a world Court. He lost the general election but then became prime minster again in 1929. He called for the removal of reparations, support for disarmament and the finding of peaceful solutions to international problems. He called the world disarmament conference in 1932.
41
In 1932 how big was the British Air force?
Only the 5th largest in the word however throughout the 30s the fear of war grew.
42
How big was Britain's army in the 30s?
400,000 men
43
In 1934 what did a survey carried out on 12 million British voters show?
Overwhelming support for the government's policy of collective security, league of nations and disarmament
44
Who became primister in 1935?
Stanley Baldwin
45
How did Britain react to the invasion of abesenya?
The league of nations condemned it and agreed on sanctions but they were largely ineffective as they did not ban the sale of oil or close the British suez canal.
46
How did the British react to the Spanish Civil War?
Baldwin called for all countries in Europe to not intervene. He also told the French that if they aided the Spanish government and it lead to war with Germany Britain would not help. This lead to the Non intervention agreement signed by 27 countries including Germany, Britain, France, The Soviet Union and Italy. However Mussolini continued to give aid to the nationalists and Germany told his war minister that he wanted to do the same too. The British government was aware of this and admitted that their non intervention pact was unsuccessful.
47
Who became prime minister in 1937?
Neville Chamberlin after Baldwin resigned.
48
How did Chamberlain begin to rebuild British military strength?
He increased defence spending £1.1 billion was financed through taxation and £400 million from increased government borrowing. £80 million of this was to be spent on air raid precautions.
49
What type of ideology did Britain have at the start of the war?
Constitutional democracy. There were multiple parties, imperalism and racism was common as Britain controlled 1/5 of the world's population.
50
When war broke out how many men could Britain muster?
897,000 which is a significantly small amount in comparison to the population they controlled.
51
How much recourses did Britain have?
They were still in recession however they were able to trade with their colonies such as India and tea and their African colonies and raw materials.They were also able to transport goods to the empire like lancashire cotton Mills sending cotton to India.
52
What was the USSRS ideology?
Communist however a group at the top enforced it
53
What was Italys ideology?
Militaristic nationalism and contept for electoral democracy. There was belief in a natural hierarchy of social beliefs. They believed in a people's community and individual interests would be put down in favour of a nations.
54
What was the Soviet unions population like?
Overall soviet citizens spoke over 200 languages. It was a secular state with 303 divisions and had around 5.5 million solders.
55
What was Italys population like?
There were 55 million Italians, 48,000 being Italian Jews. They had more than 12 languages and 59 infantry divisions.
56
What were the USSRs recourses like?
They were the leading producers of oil, coal, ore and cement. They also became a leading produce of manganese, gold, natural gas and other minerals.
57
What were Italys recourses like?
They had high debt, almost no transportation or industry's. There was a high rate of poverty and illiteracy with an uneven tax structure.
58
What's an example of the league of nations having some success settling disputes?
Upper Silesia in 1921. A plebiscite was held onto who should own it. They voted to return to Germany but the league decided to spilt up the territory with Poland which both sides accepted.
59
What's an example of the league of nations having failed to settle a dispute?
In Corfu 1923 5 Italian soldiers were killed by Greek soldiers and Mussolini occupied the island as a response. As Britain did not want to take action against Mussolini Greece was forced to apologise to Mussolini and pay compensation to Italy before the troops left.
60
What was the International Labour organisation?
It was a league of nations organisation which aimed too improvement working conditions around the world. Representatives of governments and workers met annually to set minimum standards. They could only persuade members to adopt recommendations and has no power to make countries accept their standards.
61
What was the special commisions?
A league of nations organisation that carried out specialist work. They had a mixture of long term and short term commisions eg WW1 refugees returning home being short term and health being long term .They helped 500,000 people home after WW1. It also helped create the Nasen passport as a means of identifying stateless people. The health organisation helped develop vaccines and spread information around the world.
62
How many votes did The league of nations Council have to have to take action?
The votes had to be unanimous. Britain thought that it should just be a discursive body that shouldn't take action but other members disagreed.
63
What was collective security?
League of nations countries agreed too work together to protect any member threatened by another security. If any member country went to war the others would stop trading with it. All member countries were encouraged to disarm and it increased coperartion between countries in business, trade and improving living conditions of people around the world.
64
Did the League of Nations have its own army?
No it relied on countries giving forces and the main powers Britain and France were never prepared to do this.
65
What was the permanent court of justice?
It settled disputes by judges from member countries. They could not enforce countries to accept their rulings.
66
What was the assembly?
The parliament of the league of nations. They only met once a year and had a member from every country that attended. Its descions had to be unanimous.
67
Why didn't the league of nations usually apply economic sanctions during the depression?
They didn't want to damage their own economies. The main powers of the league wouldn't take action if they thought it would damage their own interests.
68
What happened with the German economy in 1938?
It began to rapidly decline as it could not cope with the rapid rearmament of the economy as the Nazis focused on "guns not butter." This is a factor which lead for the need for invasion in order to gain more recourses and maybe to unite the German people as the economic situation was creating discontent.
69
How did Britain and France declare war?
They gave Hitler the chance from evening of September 2nd to the 3rd to withdraw from Poland, the received no response, this showed that they did everything they could to stop war.
70
Whats Blitzkrieg?
Some historians argue that Hitler was prepared to launch a Blitzkrieg, a lightning war, against Poland in order to unite the German people and gain recourses.
71
Who was Ribbentrop?
He was appointed as foreign minister by Hitler in 1938. He replaced Constanin van Neurath, a conservative who wanted a pragmatic foreign policy. In this sense. his appointment removed a obstacle to the development of a more aggressive foreign policy. He also played an important part in negotiating the Nazi Soviet Pact which lead to the invasion of Poland.
72
What effect did Georing have on the war?
He was responsible for creating and equipping the Luftwaffe. Moreover, as head of the four year plan organisastion he was responsible for much of the rearmaments of the late 1930s. He advocated for a more aggressive approach for Anschluss and hided failures of the four year plan and Luftwaffe from Hitler. This may have encouraged Hitler to risk war with Poland.
73
How did the Weimar government have an effect on the start of war?
Cumulative radicalization meant that over time, radical Nazis and radical policy's came to dominate government so policy's became more aggressive as the 1930s went on. Over time the pragmatists and conservatives had no way of stopping Hitler.
74
When was the saar plebiscite?
13 January 1935
75
What are the 6 categories of the causes of ww2?
1. Economic. 2. International 3. Nazi foreign policy 4. Other countries foreign policy 5. The treaty of Versailles 6. Social
76
What idea did Hitler use to promote ayranism?
Pan Germanism
77
What is pan Germanism?
The idea that all German peoples should be united and live in one country, being racially superior then everyone else.
78
How did the Nazis pan Germanism influence their foreign policy?
It led the Nazis to favour alliances with racially acceptable countries such as Britain. It also led them to favour German expansion eastwards taking land from those who were racially inferior.
79
Why was the Nazi era named the third reich?
They believed that the first Reich was under Charlemagne and the holy roman empire. the second Reich was the German empire founded by Otto Von Bismarck. This could have been an attempt for the Nazis to gain credibility, as seen in the numerous propaganda devices such as post cards which looked back to the history of these figures.
80
How can it be argued that the first and second reichs influenced Hitlers foreign policys?
Both of the empires had worked diplomatically for acceptance with other nations when it came to power. This could be seen to be reflected in Hitlers early foreign policy through his desire for peace.
81
What did Hitler claim caused him to become a politician?
The idea that Germans had been stabbed in the back.
82
What were the 6 main terms of the TOV?
1. Germany lost land resulting in 6.4 million Germans being displaced. 2. Disarmament 3. Rhineland was remilitarized 4. Reparation's of 132 million gold marks was set in 1921 5. War guilt and this also meant that they had no place on the LON 6. Germany had no say in the terms
83
Why was the loss of Danzig and the creation of the polish corridor resented caused by the TOV?
They cut off East Prussia from the rest of Germany.
84
What were the terms of disarmament under the TOV?
The army was reduced to 100,00 men. It could have no submarines, no heavy war ships, no tanks and no airforce.
85
Why was disarmament such an issue for the Germans?
Germanys army had always been part of its political system, its officers coming from the wealthy landowning class.
86
What was Germany secret rearmament?
The Germans had begun to secretly rearm in the late 20s on Soviet soil after a secret agreement. It was known to the government who funded it, for example one of their film companies had a secret fund which sent billions of marks to rearmament. When the story came out the defense minister was forced to resign.
87
What shows that even the British saw the terms of the TOV as unfair?
The prime minster said that it was unfair and would cause another was in 25 years time. Although the French were the ones that pushed for harsher reperations, their representatives said the same thing.
88
What showed that guilt about the terms of the TOV lead to foreign countries turning a blind eye to the actions of the Nazis and Weimar goverment?
Germany complained about the problems that reparation's solved yet it never paid an installment on time. They turned a blind eye to the secret rearmament. The Anglo German Naval agreement.
89
What were the 4 main ideas behind Hitlers ideology?
1. The treaty of Versailles had to be over turned. 2. The third reich should be a large and powerful world power 3. The third reich needed lebensraum 4. Europe was under threat from world jewry and bolshevism
90
Why did Hitler focus only on making European gains?
He did not want to manage colonies whilst Germany was not fully established in Europe.
91
Why did Hitler believe that Germany needed lebensraum?
He thought that the Germans needed space to breed and flourish whilst he also thought Germany required the raw materials and farm land there.
92
What is an example of Hitler not listening to advisors to do with foreign policy?
He wanted an alliance with Italy despite this meaning that he gave up Tyrol which had a significant German speakers. He saw the alliance as more important then overturning the treaty of Versailles and lebensraum.
93
Why did Germany actually sign a non aggression pact with Poland?
To cut off France from its Eastern European allies.
94
How can the fact that Hitler kept many foreign ministers be applied to the discussion of whether Hitler planned the war or not?
It could suggest that he did not want to interfere or impose a plan. However, it could also suggest that this shows long term planning as he wanted full control of German military before going to war as keeping the foreign ministers would give him the illusion of being more liberal.
95
What does the comparison of Nazi land gains between 1935 and 39 to Mein Kampf suggest about whether Hitler planned the war or not?
The aims do match which could suggest planning. However, it could also be said that these policies were just broard aims not a plan.
96
How can it be said that anchluss wasnt exactly planned?
It can be said that the Nazi take over of Austria happened earlier then they might have planned due to the actions of the Austrian Nazis and the fact that the allies were all in positions where they couldn't have intervened. For example, the British foreign minister had just resigned.
97
What was the one of the key parts of Hitler that led to the Nazis popularity?
Hitlers skill at speeches.
98
When did Germany take the sudentenland?
1 October 1938
99
What of Hitlers actions suggests that Hitler did intend war from the start?
The four year plans. Introducing conscription defying the treaty of Versailles. Becoming dictator meant that he did he did not need the Reichstag's permission before declaring war.
100
How did Hitler speak of rearmament in the 30s?
He stressed Germanys need to rearm for defense, not attack. In a speech to the Reichstag in 1933, he spoke of hopes of reversing Versailles by diplomacy.
101
How did Hitler privately speak to his generals about war during the 30s?
He told his generals that it would be a disaster to provoke a military attack until they had built up their armed forces to defeat such an attack, but he did intend expansion, not defense.
102
What type of war suited Hitlers troops?
Blitzkrieg
103
Why did Hitler not invade the whole of Czechoslovakia in 1938?
Mussolini had sent him a message asking him to negotiate and Hitler did not want to enter the war alone.
104
What was the Locarno pact?
A series of agreements signed in 1925 saying that there would be peace in Western Europe and treaties of guarantee between France and Poland and France and Czechoslovakia.
105
When was the Nazis non aggression pact with Poland?
1934
106
Why did Hitler form an alliance with Poland?
He saw the USSR as the biggest threat to Germany, so Poland could act as a buffer zone and could not join the USSR on an attack against Germany. Rearmament was more important than the danzig and polish corridor at the time.
107
How was Danzig controlled?
In the 1933 elections, the Nazi party had won a majority in the Danzig town government. It was not enough of a large majority to allow them to change the cities constitution and declare it part of Germany but it was enough to establish Nazi control of the city. Danzig was a port city with a 96% German population in 1914. It was created a free city and run by NATO, all nations had access to it. This was so the allies met the terms of the TOV which was to give Poland access to the sea.
108
How did the Nazis deal with Poland before 1936?
The Nazis presented themselves as wanting to sort out the problems of the polish corridor and danzig by diplomacy and wanting Poland as an ally. There were various ,meetings between 1935 and 37 where the Germans tried to make Poland join a military alliance where they would be in a mutual war against the USSR, offering Poland a chunk of the USSR if they won. They said that all they wanted to do with the Polish corridor would be the right to build road and rail connections to East Prussia.
109
Why did the Polish not develop their alliance with Germany?
They knew that the Nazis just wanted Poland as a satellite state at the very least. They also knew that an alliance with the Germans would damage their relations with the USSR.
110
Why did the relations with Germany and Poland change after 1936?
When the Nazis remilitarized the Rhineland, the Polish government expected France to drive the Germans out. Poland offered France troops under the terms of the 1921 mutual assistance pact with France. The French however did not send troops into the Rhineland and the Polish exposed themselves as willing to fight Germany.
111
What were two other consequences of the Nazis remilitarisastion of the rhienland?
1. France and the league of nations had shown themselves as unwilling to fight. 2. Hitler became more confident about pressing for what he wanted with force.
112
What was the anti comintern pact?
A pact against comintern, a international communist organisastion set up by the USSR to spread communist ideas world wide. Germany and Japan joined in 1936 and Italy did in 1937. Hitler offered Poland an alliance after the invasion of Czechoslovakia which involved entering this pact despite if they had done this would have encouraged the soviet union to invade.
113
What were the 3 key weaknesses of the league of nations?
1. Membership 2. Beaucracy 3. Enforcement.
114
Why was the leagues membership a weakness of it?
Countries that had fought the allies in ww1 were not asked to join and neither was Russia. Even the US refused to join despite being the driving force behind the creation.
115
Why was beaucracy a weakness of the league of nations?
The league was slow to make descions members seldom agreed to economic sanctions let alone military force. It needed the agreement of a significant, or all of the members to act.
116
What is an example of the leagues successes in the 20s?
It settled the dispute between Germany and Poland and Upper Silesia in 1921
117
What are some examples of failures of the league of nations in the 20s?
It ignored Poland taking over Vilna or the French taking over the Ruhr.
118
What did the failures of Poland in the 20s lead to Germany believing?
That it was not a force to contend with when enacting foreign policy.
119
Who are really the only countries that disarmed despite the names of the league of nations?
UK and France, there was also the USA although they weren't apart of the league.
120
What are 5 major events that the league of nations was involved in after 1931?
1. The Mukden Incident 2. Italian invasion of Abyssinia 3. Spanish civil war 4. The USSRs invasion of Finland. 5. Japan and Chinas war.
121
How was the league of nations involved in the invasion of Abyssinia?
They imposed partial economic sanctions on Italy, however it was leaked that Italy, Britain and France had signed the Hoare-Laval pact which gave 2 thirds of Abyssinia to Italg
122
How was the league of nations involved in the spanish civil war?
The league did nothing to stop Italians and Spains intervention apart from telling them not to get involved
123
How did the league of nations respond to the USSRS invasion of Finland?
The league urged the USSR to withdraw, it did not happen so the league expelled the USSR in November 1939
124
Why had the USSR joined the league in 1934?
It was worried after Germany and Japan had spoken out against communism
125
Why had France chosen to appease Germany despite its initial reaction?
Because the occupation of the Ruhr hadn't solved anything. It was also afraid of Germany invading, proven by the Maginot line and Frances desire to make European alliances.
126
Who did France attempt to make alliances with?
Their relationship with Britain was cooling, so they turned to making alliances with the various new states such as Czechoslovakia and even the USSR
127
What was Frances military strength like?
It had a large army but had lost a quarter of its men between 18 and 27 in the first world war and the quality of the army and equipment was variable.
128
What was Frances political situation like?
There were strong communist and fascist parties in power. The goverment changed 11 times between 1932 and 1935 and there was trouble with colonial demands for independence. When a left winged goverment came into power they also faced critism.
129
How did France increase Hitlers confidence in his military aggression?
It was clear that France could not win a war as it was weak both at home and abroad
130
Who did the USSR support in the Spanish civil war?
The existing Spanish goverment
131
How had Stalin treated the Western powers?
The USSR had suggested a variety of pacts however the British had not agreed as they did not want a communist allie. Stalin was humiliated at not being invited to the Munich conference but he still attempted to negotiate with the western allies
132
Why was the USSR more likely to to ally with the Germans in 1938?
In July to August 1938, Germany was fighting with Japan on its Eastern boarder so it wouldn't want to fight a war on two fronts.
133
What had the USs military policy been like in the 1920s and 30s?
Isolationalist and disarmament
134
What was the USs army like in 1938?
Smaller then Belgiums
135
How did the US respond to the Abyssinia crisis and the spanish civil war?
They were neutral however it still exported arms too Italy and Germany who were sending them to Franco.
136
How did the US try to work towards peace in the 30s?
They set up various meetings trying to work towards world peace and it did try to intervene and persuade Hitler to withdraw from Czechoslovakia
137
What act did the US pass which encouraged Hitler to go to war?
The neutrality act in 1937
138
Why was Japan on Germanys side despite winning the first World War on the side of the allies?
Like Italy, it was dissatisfied with the treaty of Versialles and it was also dissatisfied with its treatment in the league, not being treated as an equal ally.
139
How was the Manchuria state run?
It said it was independent of China, Japan or the USSR but Japan chose the new ruler. Only German and Italy recognised the new state.
140
How did the league of nations rule in relation to Manchuria and what did this result in?
They ruled against Japan and this led to Japan leaving the league of nations and it forming alliances with Germany and Italy
141
What was the Kellogg Briand pact?
The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 was an international agreement between 62 countries which also included Germany as an equal partner.
The overall aim of the agreement was for countries to agree not to use war as a method of ending international disputes. Crucially the agreement included the United States (who were not members of the League of Nations) who still wanted to help secure peace.
For Germany the Kellogg-Briand Pact was significant.
Firstly, Germany was included as an equal partner to the other 61 countries, unlike the Treaty of Versailles.
Secondly it showed that Germany was viewed as serious power that could be respected and trusted.
Finally, as with the Locarno Pact and League of Nations membership, it was supported by moderate Germans but despised by extremist parties.
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What did the alliance with Japan mean for Germany?
It was encouraged in its more aggressive policies because Japan was an enemy of the USSR and Japan was on the other side of the USSR so it would be useful to have an ally there. If the USA entered the war, Japan would be able to act against the USA in the far east.
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Why did Japan stay allies with Germany after the Nazi Soviet pact?
Despite it being a shock for them at that time Italy and Germany were the only other allies that they had.
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What two things did the great depression effect which helped lead to war?
The support for extremist parties and making countries more inward looking
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How did Britain having a more inward looking policy lead to war?
Britain set up favourable trade agreements but only with its own colonies. This meant that Eastern European countries were more likely to turn to the USSR or Germany to trade with
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How did the economy help lead Germany to war?
Rearmament had been what helped the german economy recover from the depression, demands then grew so they produced economic strain
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Who would Hitler be meeting the expectations of which helped lead to war?
The industrialists and the Nazi party members
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What domestic policies had a bad effect on how Germany was viewed abroad?
Anti semistism, which was a big factor in changing British public opinion for example
