Munich- Churchills Reaction Flashcards
What began to become dangerous for Europe ?
The backing of Sudetenland demands by Hitler posed a major threat for Europe
What were the options for Britian ?
- how did Churchill react to each
- Remain uninvolved- strong against this as Britain major power, had been a signatory to the treaties ending WW1 and this broken by territory changes to Czechoslovakia
- Taking steps to prevent war persuading Czech to make concessions and persuade Hitler to accept those concessions short of annexation- Churchill did not support the second option either
What was the case for non intervention ?
Germany gaining self governing areas not a reason to intervene
- danger that France and USSR intervene
- create a war within Europe unavoidable for Britian
Why did many reject the idea of persuading Czech to make concessions ?
- what was really at stake revision of Treaty of Versailles with Hitlers pronouncements about dominating Europe and destruction of communism and European Jewry dismissed as crowd pleasing rhetoric
Rejected because - it ruled out collective security and indicated that Britain thought League of Nations irrelevant
- ruled out joint action with France and USSR grand alliance of counties to stop aggression
What did handing over virtual control of part of another countries territory pose a problem ?
Anti Hitler Germans who lived in Czechoslovakia and giving in to obvious aggressive agitation was a problem
What moved Churchill against concessions ?
The mortality of handing over parts of Czechoslovakia containing some anti Hitler Germans
- saw it as moral cowardice giving into aggression
- a stand firm with both league and alliance of nations was necessary
- By accepting concessions Britian bowed to to German pressure showing weakness
Did Churchill foresee the invasion of Poland ?
No the good relations established between Germany and Poland in 1934 did not indicate any aggression
