Outbreak of WWII in Europe

Question 1

How did the weakness of the LON contribute to the outbreak of WWII?

Answer 1

When France refused to disarm, just like Britain, Hitler used their objection as an excuse to withdraw from the Disarmament Conference and the LON->increased Germany’s military through secret rearmament and conscription. He perceived the LON as weak->emboldened to conquer more->Hitler defied orders from B and F to leave Poland->B and F attacked, causing WWII

Question 2

How did the Abyssinian Crisis embolden Hitler to conquer more territories?

Answer 2

Mussolini wanted to make Italy a great power->made use of dispute at the Walwal Oasis to invade Abyssinia(3 Oct 1935) because B and F did not discourage military buildup->breached League Covenant, B and F had to take action but didn’t due to Stresa Front agreement and economic interests in Suez Canal->banned arm sales to Italy, but they were still sold to Abyssinia or shipped over the Suez Canal->signing of Hoare-Laval agreement indicated their weakness to stop Italy as they conquered Abyssinia in May 1936

Question 3

What happened in March 1936, during the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?

Answer 3

G troops crossed Hohenzollern Bridge and remilitarized Rhineland using Franco-Soviet alliance as an excuse, saying they were threatened and had to defend their frontiers->B was sympathetic->France holding an election, did not want to appear as starting war->both did nothing to stop Hitler->LON condemned the actions but did nothing else, too busy with Abyssinian Crisis