outbreak of WW2 in Europe Flashcards
what are the 3 main points?
Weakness of LoN
Hitler’s Expansionist Policy
Policy of Appeasement
what are the 3 main points for “Weakness of LoN”
Membership is Voluntary
USA is not a member
No collective security
Big power interests
2 case studies for “Weakness of LoN”
Manchuria
Abyssinia
elaborate on “Membership is Voluntary”
League members could only enforce decisions on other league members. if one party was a non-league member, they did not have to abide by any rules/decisions.
elaborate on “USA is not a member”
one of the biggest powers were absent due to their struggle IN recovering from the Great Depression, and strong isolationist positions who did not want to be involved in European affairs.
elaborate on “No collective security”
The League had no armed forces to enforce any decisions. The Great Depression also meant Military expenditure in many countries were cut and unwilling to contribute.
elaborate on “Big power interests”
The interests of Britain and France were more important that keeping to the principles of the league. this made the league ineffective since any action may be against their interest.
elaborate on “Manchuria”
1931
(Japan was suffering from an economic crisis and lacking natural resources, decided to invade Manchuria. in the Mukden Incident, Japan blamed Chiense aggression and launched a full-scale invasion)
The commission set up to investigate and found Japan the aggressor.
In Response, Japan withdrew from the League and no enforcement undertaken.
elaborate on “Abyssinia”
1935
(Mussolini wanted to create a new ‘roman empire’ and looked for a still-independent, weak nation - Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia))
Italy invaded, and the Abyssinian President made a public appeal at the league.
However, Britain and France decided not to take any action as they wanted to keep Italy on their side (against Hitler and Soviet Union)
elaborate on “Abyssinia”
1935
(Mussolini wanted to create a new ‘roman empire’ and looked for a still-independent, weak nation - Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia))
Italy invaded, and the Abyssinian President made a public appeal at the league.
However, Britain and France decided not to take any action as they wanted to keep Italy on their side (against Hitler and Soviet Union)
what is the LINK for “Weakness of LoN”
The lack of action encouraged Hitler
as he saw the weakness of the league on any effective action and that it would not get in his way.
Aggressive actions would go unpunished. this enabled aggressors.
Mussolini decided to form the Rome-Berlin Axis with Hitler anyway 😂
what are the 4 main points on “Hitler’s Expansionist Policy”
Revoking the TOV
Remilitarisation of the Rhineland
Anschluss with Austria
Sudetenland
elaborate on “Revoking the TOV”
Hitler tried to make Germany’s Actions seem reasonable.
He put it across as an attempt to put tight the injustices of the Treaty of Versailles.
Repeated that Germany did not want war.
used this time to build up German forces.
Did not want to have to fight too soon, and so was prepared to back down if opposed by force.
However, it was obvious his potential enemies; Britain and France, were seeking to avert another disastrous WW1. Each success gave him confidence.
Elaborate on “Remilitarisation of Rhineland”
Rhineland is the most industrialised area of Germany and thus economically valuable. Hitler’s troops had been ordered tow withdraw of attacked. However, there was no response from France and Britain. (due to their local politics)
Elaborate on “Anschluss with Austria “
Both were German-speaking Nations who had close cultural affinity. Prohibited under TOV. Overwhelming support for Unification.
Hitler gained Austria’s resources without even a fight.
elaborate on “Sudetenland”
Hitler tried to stir up Germans in Sudetenland.
He demanded self-governmemt for them. Czechs hoped that countries like Britain and France would help them against Germany, as they were no match for the Germans.
Czechs lost a lot of territory, Hitler Gained territory without having to fight.
what is the LINK for “Hitler’s Expansionist Policy”
Hitler was slowly Overturning all the terms of the TOV without having to fight. He thus was Emboldened even further. By September 1939,Hitler honestly did not believe that Britain and France would go to war over Poland.
This increased tensions among the countries.
define “Appeasement”
Appeasement is Negotiating with, and making Concessions to, another country to avoid war.
what are the 4 main points of “Policy of Appeasement”
Memories of WW1
Britian/France had their own problems
Attitudes towards TOV/Hitler
Attitudes towards communism
what are the 2 case studies for “Policy of Appeasement”
Anglo-German Naval Conference 1935
Munich Conference
elaborate on “Memories of WW1”
wanted to avoid any loss of lives and suffering through another war and prepared to do anything to avoid such a war.
elaborate on “Britain/France had their own problems”
Britian had to deal with own overseas empire especially problems in India and Palestine. Insufficient resources to get involved in another war.
elaborate on “Attitudes toward TOV/Hitler”
Britian and France politicians felt that Hitler would be satisfied once Germany’s main grievances were appeased. Many felt that TOV was too harsh on Germany - sympathetic towards Hitler.
elaborate on “Attitudes towards Communism”
Britian and France politicians were more against Communism than Nazism.
Hitler was staunchly anti-communist. but he would shock them later with the Nazi-Solviet Pact.
what is the LINK for “Policy of Appeasement”
They did not bank on him continuing with demand after demand and Did Not Realise that their willingness to give in was a sign of weakness which drive Hitler to make more demands.
Eventually culminating WW2 as Poland was the last straw for Britian and France.
elaborate on “Anglo-German Naval Conference”
1935
(German only allowed 6 warships and no submarines. Signed an agreement whereby Germany was allowed 1/3 tonnage of British navy.)
Clear breach of TOV terms which seemed to be encouraged when they should be objecting instead.
elaborate on “Munich Conference”
(Leaders of Britian, France, Italy and Germany met in Munich. Czechoslovakia and Soviet Union were not invited.)
It was agreed that the whole of Sudetenland to be handed over to Germany. Britian and France informed Czechoslovakia that if they did not accept, they will face Germany alone. Thus, they had no choice.
