Rearmament Flashcards
What happened in 1919 and reparations?
Treaty of Versailles signed and allowed Germany a maximum of 100,000 soldiers, 6 warships, no air force and the demilitarisation of the Rhineland (France/Germany border)
What did Churchill propose in 1919 relating to arms spending?
The 10 year rule. The goverment (including Churchill) believed a war wasn’t imminent so they agreed major cutbacks in government spending on the military.
What did Churchill enforce and maintain in 1925 with his new government position?
As the new Chancellor, Churchill enforced the 10 year rule and cutbacks in arms spending.
What was signed in 1928 with over 60 nations?
Kellog Briand Pact in which the nations agreed to never go to war again including Germany.
What event dominated 1929?
Wall Street Crash which caused major economic damage and cutbacks in government spending
Who invaded who in 1931 and what was done about it?
Japan invaded Manchuria (in China) and the League of Nations did nothing to stop them.
Who became Chancellor in 1933 of Germany?
Hitler
Who walked out of the League of Nations in 1933?
Hitler removed Germany from the League. (people confused as it was designed to diffuse international issues)
What was the big turning point in 1935 in Germany that started to raise questions?
Hitler introduces conscription to the country
Where did Italy invade in 1935 and what was the responce?
Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and one again the League of Nations did nothing to stop them.
What did Hitler do in 1936 and thus break the TofV?
Re-militarised the Rhineland which put French and German armies head to head.
What did Japan and Germany and eventually Italy join in 1936/37?
Anti comintern pact that formed an alliance against the soviet union. There was a genuine fear about Soviet expanison so this would act as a deterrent.
What does Hitler do in March 1938 and declare?
Took troops into Austria and declared the unification of Germany and Austria.
What happened over September/October 1938 and what was the response?
Hitler demands the Sudetenland. Thus, Chamberlain visits Germany and agrees to give up the Sudetenland but states no more invasions can occur
What happened in March 1939 and rips up the agreement?
Hitler invades the rest of Czechslovakia (Munich agreement has been a failure).
What did Hitler and Stalin sign in August 1939?
The Nazi-Soviet Pact which was a non aggression agreement that meant Germany wouldn’t spread east into the soviet union.
What happens in September 1939?
Germany invades Poland which results in GB and France declaring war on Germany.
Why was Churchill worried when Germany started to rearm?
- Churchill saw the regime as brutal
- Churchill was a MP when the TofV was signed
- Churchill was worried about the Luftwaffe
Why did others see German rearmament differently?
- His critics pointed out that it was him that cut arms spending (10 year rule)
- 1929 financial crisis meant we couldn’t rearm even if we wanted to
- People saw the rearmament as fair especially after the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles
What did Churchill’s critics use to oppose his views?
- Churchill was too much of an alarmist, war mongerer mindset rather than facts
- League of Nations could solve the disputes
- Unrealist cost especially post 1929
What are the main arguments for defending the Munich agreement?
- Public opinion was against war (they wanted spending on domestic policies)
- Britain couldn’t finance the spending (-3% deflation)
- Could lead to an arms race
Figures about German rearmament
- By 1935 Germany has 3,000 planes in the Luftwaffe
- In 1936 2/3 of German investment was on arms
- By 1935, Germany had 550,000 men in the military due to conscription
