International Response to German and Italian Aggression in 1930

Question 1

What was policy of appeasement ?

Answer 1

1) The policy of making concessions to the dictatorial powers in order to avoid conflict, governed Anglo-French foreign policy during the 1930s.
2) associated with Conservative Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Question 2

Why British appeasement policy was adopted ?

Answer 2

1) strong public and political desire to achieve ‘peace at any price’.
2) Horror of WW1 “ War to end all wars”
3) neither country was militarily ready for war.
4) Widespread pacifism
5) Many British Politicians thought that demands of dictators were justified.
6) Many British politicians believed that Germany had genuine grievances resulting from Versailles. “Too harsh”
7) Neville Chamberlain, British PM, was willing to negotiate with Hitler and Mussolini. He detested war and was looking for peace settlement.
8) Britain saw its principle threat as Communism rather that fascism
9) War weariness: Economic pressures.
10) Vastness of British empire, difficult to control and administer .

Question 3

Why did France support policy of appeasement?

Answer 3

1) Economic Problems after ww1.
2) Industry and agriculture not fully recovered from the devastation of WW1.
3) Great Depression
4) politicians admired Hitler and Mussolini, seeing them not as dangerous fascists but as strong, patriotic leaders.
5) right winged leagues imitating Mussolini.
6) Frequent changes of gov- 6 diff cabinets in 2 yrs.
7) Ideological conflicts in 1930’s
8) Limited military and ineffective air force
9) France became strongly dependent on Britain..

Question 4

USA reaction

Answer 4

1) Isolationism after WW1.
2) Great Depression in 1929
3) 1935- Neutrality act- to keep them outof any possible European wars.

Question 5

USSR response

Answer 5

1) wanted to pursue “Popular front” against fascism.
2) Joined league of nations in 1934
3) the USSR was the only country to propose sanctions in League for Hitler re-militarizing Rhineland.

Question 6

Germany withdrew from league in 1933

Answer 6

1) Britain proposed Germany should be allowed to have an army of 200,000
2) it should be allowed to have an air force half the size of French air force.

Question 7

Germany military expenditure

Answer 7

Increased from 2.7 billion marks in 1933 to 8 billion marks in 1935.