The contribution of other nations to the outbreak of war Flashcards
When was the League of Nations set up?
10 January 1920
What was the aim of the LoN?
To encourage cooperation and diplomacy between LoN member countries, and to avoid the outbreak of war.
What are the 3 reasons for why the LoN was so weak?
- It did not have a military (its member countries were often unwilling to provide arms).
- It was slow to make decisions as the majority of its members had to agree to them.
- Not all nations were a member.
What was the outcome of Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia in 1935?
Italy, Britain and France secretly arranged the Hoare-Laval Pact which would have give 2/3 of Abyssinia to Italy.
What was the foreign policy adopted by Britain and France in the 1930s?
Appeasement - aimed to maintain peace in Europe and prevent another war.
What did Britain and Germany sign in June 1935?
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement
How big could Germany’s navy be under the agreement with Britain?
35% of the strength of the British fleet
Why did Britain follow a policy of appeasement?
Britain wanted to avoid another world war, as it could not guarantee the support of its colonies if war broke out. They feared another war might cause problems in their empire.
Why did France follow a policy of appeasement?
France was domestically unstable and weak (e.g. there were 11 governments between 1932 and 1935; communist and fascist parties were becoming more popular; WWI had severely weakened the French army).
Why did appeasement influence Hitler’s foreign policy?
It gave Hitler greater confidence that Britain and France would not go to war, therefore encouraging his aggression.
How did the actions of other countries encourage Hitler to remilitarise the Rhineland in 1936?
- The LoN had shown its weakness - it could not intervene.
- Attention was away from Germany, as Italy had shown its aggressive and expansionist policy.
- France was focused on its upcoming election.
What was the foreign policy of the USA in the 1930s?
Isolationism - refusal to get involved in the affairs of other countries.
What evidence is there that the USA pursued a policy of isolationism?
They signed three Neutrality Acts between 1935 and 1937 - it was illegal for Americans to sell or transport arms to countries at war.
Why did the USA’s foreign policy influence Hitler’s foreign policy in Europe?
It reassured him that the USA would not get involved in a European conflict, and gave him more confidence to be aggressive.
When was the Munich Agreement?
29-30 September 1938
