Paper 1 - Chapter 3.2 Appeasement and the outbreak of WW2 Flashcards
Arguments in favour of appeasement (5)
- the feeling that Germany had genuine grievances
- avoid another war (WW1, Guernica)
- Economic depression
- L of N didn’t work
- Fear of Communism
When was Chamberlain elected?
1937
Arguments against appeasement (4)
- Hitler couldn’t be trusted
- Made Britain look weak, gave Hitler too much confidence
- Betraying lands protected by T of V
- Hitler increases strength and power…
How many people spoke german in the Sudetenland
3 million
Was Czechoslovakia strong?
Yes, especially in the west where it had well fortified frontiers
Who was Henlein
The leader of Nazis in the Sudetenland
Who was Benes
Leader of Czechoslovakia
What did Hitler encourage Henlein to do (Sudetenland crisis)
Campaign for independence
Riots broke out
Hitler promised that Henlein could depend on German support
When did Chamberlain meet Hitler at Berchtesgaden?
15th September 1938
Who promised to help Czechoslovakia
Soviet Russia
What did Hitler tell Chamberlain he wanted from the Sudetenland?
All the German speaking parts of Sudetenland
When was Godesberg?
22nd September 1938
What did Hitler ask for at Godesberg? How did Britain react?
Immediate occupation of the Sudetenland by Germany.
Chamberlain was disappointed and prepared Britain for war.
When was the Munich conference
30th September 1938
Who was present at the Munich conference (and who was not)
Mussolini, Daladier, Chamberlain, Hitler
(Italy France Britain Germany)
USSR and Czechoslovakia weren’t invited
What was agreed at Munich? (4)
Sudetenland would be part of Germany
Britain and France guaranteed the rest of Czechoslovakia - the Czechs were forced to accept this
Britain and Germany would never go to war again
Importance of Munich agreement (5)
- Hitler had gained the Sudetenland without fighting
- Czechoslovakia had been betrayed
- USSR was left out and felt betrayed
- Britain sped up re-armament
- Germany gained arms and resources like steel
What percent of what did Slovakia lose?
70% of it’s heavy industry
Who took land at Czechoslovakia’s expense?
Poland took Teschen in October 1938
Hungary increased its land
Who was Hacha
Czech president
What happened in 1939 up until March?
Hitler encouraged the Slovaks to press for independence
In March Hacha was forced to hand over Czechoslovakia
What did Hitler claim he was doing when he marched into Czechoslovakia?
He claimed he was restoring order.
Effects of Hitler’s takeover of Czechoslovakia (6)
- marked the end of appeasement
- proved Hitler couldn’t be trusted
- Britain signed an agreement to protect Poland
- conscription was introduced in Britain
- Hitler signed the pact of steel with Mussolini
- Hitler withdrew from the non-aggression pact and the Anglo-German Naval agreement
Effects of Hitler’s takeover of Czechoslovakia - other countries (4)
- Mussolini conquered Albania
- Britain guaranteed Romanian and Greek independence
- Lithuania was forced to surrender Memel (province) to Germany
- Hitler made it clear he wanted Danzing
Why couldn’t Britain and France actually help Poland?
They were too far away
Who was Poland scared of in 1939?
Both Germany and the soviets - they were afraid the soviets wouldn’t leave if they came to protect Poland
What did the USSR feel that Britain was doing, and why was it kind of true? What was evidence for this?
Directing Germany towards the east
Many Brits were more scared of communism than they were of fascism
USSR’s exclusion from the Munich conference and Britain and France not rushing to make agreements with the USSR in 1939
What was signed in August 1939
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Why was the Nazi-Soviet Pact important ? (4)
- It meant Hitler avoided another war on 2 fronts
- It meant his invasion of Poland was inevitable
- He presumed Britain wouldn’t oppose because it didn’t for Czechoslovakia
- If Britain kept his promise to protect Poland, war was inevitable
- Britain and France had lost their possible ally of the USSR
What did Hitler convince Stalin?
That Stalin would re-gain soviet lands he had lost. Some people believe Stalin was fooled, others believe he was buying time to prepare for the attack
What did Hitler demand Poland handed over and from when did he demand this? And why
Danzig, from April 1939 because it was 90% German
What did Hitler believe would convince Britain and France to agree with his terms in 1939
Putting pressure long enough on Poland
Why didn’t Poland hand over Danzig?
Because it was being strengthened by the guarantee of independence by Britain and France
What surprised Hitler in 1939
That Britain said if Germany invaded Poland, it would join the war.
Why was Hitler confident that he wouldn’t be opposed to?
He thought Britain and France were too afraid of war
When did Hitler March into Poland?
1st September 1939
When did Britain declare war on Germany?
3rd September 1939
What took 4 weeks?
Germany and USSR’s takeover of Poland
