Was Hitler's Foreign Policy to Blame for the Second World War? Flashcards
When did World War II begin?
World War II began when Germany invaded Poland on September 3rd 1939.
How many years after WWI did WWII begin?
WWII began 21 years after the end of the First World War.
What were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were an alliance between Germany Italy and Japan.
What were the Allied powers initially?
Initially Britain and France joined together as the Allies.
When and why did the USSR join the Allies?
The USSR joined the Allies in 1941 when Germany broke the Nazi-Soviet Pact and invaded Russia.
When and why did the USA enter WWII?
The USA entered WWII in December 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
What is the orthodox view on the cause of WWII?
The orthodox view is that Hitler caused WWII through his intentionally aggressive foreign policy.
What evidence suggests Hitler prepared for war?
Evidence includes Germany’s large-scale rearmament program.
How did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles?
Hitler broke the Treaty through remilitarization of the Rhineland and Anschluss with Austria.
What do revisionist historians believe about Hitler’s intentions?
Revisionist historians do not believe Hitler wanted to start a war and view him as an opportunist.
What was the role of the League of Nations in the lead-up to WWII?
The League was weak because Britain and France did not have the money or desire to stand up against aggressive nations.
What global context enabled Hitler’s actions?
The Great Depression increased support for the Nazi Party while militarism and nationalism were rising globally.
How did other nations’ actions compare to Hitler’s?
Other nations like Japan (invading Manchuria in 1931) and Italy (claiming Abyssinia in 1935) also acted aggressively.
What role did the Treaty of Versailles play according to revisionists?
Revisionists believe the Treaty caused the war by being harsh enough to make Germans hate it but weakly enforced.
What is the balanced historical view on the causes of WWII?
Some historians believe Hitler was a strategist with clear aims but wouldn’t have succeeded without European leaders’ weakness and the League’s failure.
What agreement did Germany and USSR sign before WWII?
Germany and the USSR signed a non-aggression pact known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact in August 1939.
What were the major consequences of Hitler’s foreign policy shown in the diagram?
Consequences included: the start of WWII the Holocaust resulting in 6 million Jewish deaths and the end of Germany as a united country.
What factors influenced Hitler’s foreign policy according to the diagram?
Factors included: Hitler’s anti-Semitism and nationalism the weakness of the League of Nations hatred for the Treaty of Versailles and the foreign policies of Japan and Italy.
What was the reaction of the Treaty of Versailles in Europe initially?
Britain- Public happy with treaty
Italy- Expected to be granted more colonies
Germany- Hated harsh military, economic and territorial terms
France- Citizens thought it was too soft on Germany, did not feel protected
How did reactions to the Treaty of Versailles change?
- People in Britain found treaty too harsh
- People feared USSR more than Germany
- Wanted a strong Germany to defend Europe from communism
What is meant by ‘Dolchstoss’?
- Many people felt Weimar Republic should not have signed Treaty of Versailles and felt politicians committed ‘dolchstoss’ or a ‘stab in the back’
What were politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles known as?
- November Criminals (month armistice signed)
What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?
The Treaty had a devastating impact on Germany; reparations caused two economic depressions in a decade; the German government following the treaty’s terms caused public resentment
What occurred after Hitler’s Munich Putsch?
The government arrested Hitler; while in prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (‘My Struggle’)
What did Hitler believe about the Aryan race?
Hitler believed the German race was superior; he was against Germans marrying Jewish people as he stated this weakened the Aryan race
What was Hitler’s concept of Lebensraum?
‘Living space’ in German; a theory that Germany needed more territory for population growth; Germany should expand into Eastern Europe to destroy communism
What were Hitler’s views on the Treaty of Versailles?
Hitler wanted to recover all land Germany lost in the treaty; he believed Germany deserved a strong military and wanted to ignore the treaty and rearm
What was Hitler’s concept of Grossdeutschland?
‘Greater Germany’ in German; the idea that Germany should unite under one Reich (state); all German speakers should live together, including Anschluss with Austria
Why did Hitler believe breaking the Treaty of Versailles was justified?
Some terms had already been reversed (Dawes and Young plans); other countries hadn’t kept promises (France refused to disarm); Hitler feared neighboring countries’ power; he had public support (38% vote in July 1932)
What were the main aims of Hitler’s foreign policy?
To create Grossdeutschland; incorporate all German speakers into Germany including Anschluss with Austria; revise the Treaty of Versailles; expand eastwards for Lebensraum
How did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles in 1933?
Hitler began to secretly rearm Germany; Germany left the League of Nations
What happened in 1934 regarding Austria?
An attempt to unite with Austria failed because of Mussolini
How did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles in 1935?
Hitler introduced conscription; German soldiers occupied the Rhineland
How did Hitler use the Luftwaffe in 1937?
Hitler tested the Luftwaffe (German air force) by helping Franco in the Spanish Civil War
What territorial gains did Hitler make in 1938?
Anschluss with Austria; Hitler ordered his army to invade the Sudetenland
What actions in 1939 led to World War II?
Hitler captured the whole of Czechoslovakia; Germany invaded Poland, causing the Second World War
Which extremist parties gained support during Germany’s economic troubles?
The KPD (Communist Party) and the NSDAP (Nazi Party)
How did Manchuria and Abyssinia encourage Hitler’s foreign policy?
- Britain and France were selfish
- League was slow and weak
- Hitler knew he could act without League stopping him
When did Germany leave League of Nations and why?
- November 1933
- Freed Hitler to pursue aggressive foreign policy
What was the Saar Plebiscite?
- LoN took control of Saar for 15 years under ToV
- Hitler wanted Saar
- League propose plebiscite to decide who should govern Germany or France
- 90% of population vote to re-joining Germany
What were the impacts of Saar Plebiscite?
- Propaganda victory for Hitler
- Saar gave key resources to increase rearmament programme
- Began fulfilling idea of capturing land lost in treaty
How was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland a failure for the League of Nation’s?
- Built up defences along French Border
- Breached ToV
- Hitler gained more confidence
- Manipulated League by signing non-aggression pact he had no intention of keeping
What happened in the Spanish Civil War?
- Civil war broke out in Spain July 1936
- Left-wing Spanish government
- Right-wing nationalist rebels led by General Franco
How did Britain and France react to Spanish Civil War and why?
- Created a Non-Intervention Committee to avoid fighting
Britain: Didn’t want to cause a bigger European war
France: National sympathisers in France could cause civil war
How did Germany and Italy react to the Spanish Civil War and why?
- Sent weapons and aircraft to support right-wing rebels
Germany: Test out new Luftwaffe, form alliance with Mussolini
Italy: Expand power and influence in Europe
How did USSR react to the Spanish Civil War and why?
- Sent weapons and aircraft to support left-wing government
- To stop development of another fascist state in Europe
How was the Spanish Civil War a failure for the League of Nations?
- Conflict killed 750,000 people
- General Franco won
- Germany developed devastating military tactics
- Nazi aerial bombing shocked world leaders
What is appeasement?
Policy of giving in to demands to avoid war
Who is normally associated with appeasement?
- Neville Chamberlain
- WWI horrified him and he wanted to avoid another world war
- became PM in 1937
What were Chamberlain’s motives for appeasement?
- Hitler can stop spread of Communism
- Britain needs to re-arm and can’t afford another war
- Hitler is just taking back territory lost unfairly in ToV and will stop demands soon
- Public don’t want World War
What were Churchill’s arguments against appeasement?
- Cannot trust Hitler after breaking promises
- Very quickly re-arming
- Need to stop before too late
- Britain looks weak, must stand up to tyrants
What was the Stresa Front?
- Agreement from Britain, France and Italy
- April 1935
- Oppose Hitler’s foreign policy
- Challenge Hitler if he breaks ToV
How was the Stresa Front broken?
- Abyssinia Crisis worsened Italy’s relationship with Britain and France
- Britain and Germany signed Anglo-German Naval agreement
What was the Anglo-German Naval agreement?
- June 1935
- Germany to have navy 35% size of British Royal Navy
- Allowed development of submarines
What were the impacts of the Anglo-German Naval agreement?
- Agreement broke ToV and Stresa Front
- Showed Britain wanted to protect itself rather than Europe from Hitler
What was Anschluss?
The annexation (political union) of Austria by Nazi Germany on March 12-13, 1938.
Why was the Anschluss important?
It was Hitler’s first major territorial expansion, violated post-WWI treaties, and strengthened Germany before WWII.
What was the Sudeten Crisis?
- Hitler wanted gain of Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia as he bordered the country on three sided
- Rich mineral resources and armament factory
- Over 3.5 million Germans lived there
What was the Munich Conference?
- Representatives from Italy, Britain, France and Germany
- Unfair as Czechoslovakia not invited
- USSR was not involved in conference creating distrust with Western powers
- Discussed Sudetenland
What was the Munich Agreement?
- 30th September 1938
- Agreed by Hitler to avoid war
- Hitler would gain Sudetenland but Czechoslovakia keep rest of territory
Describe the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
- March 1939
- Demanded Czech government to surrender control
- Encouraged Slovakia to declare independence
What were the consequences of the invasion of Czechoslovakia?
- Hitler could not defend actions
- No German-speaking population
- Ended policy for appeasement (needed to protect vulnerable countries in Europe)
- No longer could trust Hitler
Why was the Polish Corridor important?
The Polish Corridor gave Poland access to the sea but cut Germany’s territory into two separate areas
Why were Hitler and Stalin enemies before the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
They believed in opposite ideologies (Hitler was Fascist/far-right while Stalin was Communist/far-left), had different aims for Europe, and fought on opposite sides in the Spanish Civil War
When was the Nazi-Soviet Pact signed?
August 23, 1939
What other name is used for the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
What did Stalin hope to gain from the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
Time to prepare for war with Germany, territory (including eastern Poland, the Baltic States, and Finland), and protection from Japanese aggression
Why did Stalin fear war with Germany in 1939?
The USSR’s army was weakened by Stalin’s purges of military leaders
Why did Hitler want the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
To avoid fighting a war on two fronts, ensure Soviet neutrality, secure raw materials from the USSR, and isolate Poland before invasion
What were the public terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
A non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR for 10 years
What were the secret terms of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
The partitioning of Polish territory, with Stalin gaining control of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland, and Germany gaining half of Poland and the city of Danzig
What happened shortly after the Nazi-Soviet Pact was signed?
Germany invaded Poland nine days after the signing of the pact
What was the Anti-Comintern Pact?
An agreement between Japan and Germany (later joined by Italy) to help each other in the fight against communism
When was the Anti-Comintern Pact signed?
November 1936
What was the Pact of Steel?
A military alliance between Germany and Italy that promised to help each other in times of war
When was the Pact of Steel signed?
May 1939
What was the formal name of the Pact of Steel?
The Pact of Friendship and Alliance
Why was Stalin worried about Japan?
Japan was an old enemy of Russia that had beaten Russia in a war in 1904, and Japanese-controlled Manchuria bordered the USSR
How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact end?
Hitler broke the pact in 1941 by invading Russia in Operation Barbarossa
What impact did the Nazi-Soviet Pact have on Britain and France?
The public agreement shocked Britain and France, who were allies against Germany
What agreement preceded the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy?
The Rome-Berlin Axis friendship treaty signed in 1936
What pact was triggered by the Pact of Steel in 1940?
The Tripartite Pact, uniting Japan, Italy and Germany
What was the British-France Guarantee?
- March 1939 - Formal agreement to protect Poland’s border
- Hitler’s next move was likely Poland
as he was expanding eastwards - Appeasement abandoned
What happened on August 23rd 1939?
The Nazi-Soviet Pact meant that Poland was surrounded by enemies. Hitler orders his army to prepare to attack Poland.
What was Britain’s response to the Nazi-Soviet Pact on August 25th?
Britain responded by entering into a military alliance with Poland.
What happened on September 1st 1939?
Hitler falsely accused Poland of attacking the German border. He used this as an excuse to invade.
What ultimatum did Britain and France deliver on September 1st 1939?
Britain and France delivered an ultimatum to Germany: leave Poland or they will declare war. After years of appeasement, Hitler did not take this threat seriously.
When did Britain declare war on Germany and World War II begin?
Britain declared war on Germany on September 3rd 1939. The Second World War begins.
Why was Hitler surprised that Britain declared war? (Reason 1)
Britain and France had allowed Hitler to get away with similar invasions in the past.
Why was Hitler surprised that Britain declared war? (Reason 2)
Hitler believed he could negotiate with Britain.
What did Hitler think about negotiating with Britain?
Hitler thought that if he promised not to invade Britain and its colonies, Britain would allow Hitler to control Europe.
Why was Hitler surprised that Britain declared war? (Reason 3)
Hitler believed that he had legitimate reasons to invade Poland.
What were Hitler’s ““legitimate reasons”” to invade Poland?
Germans lived in the Polish Corridor, and Danzig was originally a German city.
Why was Hitler surprised that Britain declared war? (Reason 4)
He did not think Britain was prepared for war.
What did Chamberlain say in his radio broadcast on September 3rd 1939?
This morning the British ambassador in Berlin handed the German government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o’clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.
How did the Treaty of Versailles cause World War II?
The harsh terms of the treaty caused significant political and economic issues in Germany. Lloyd George warned that the terms would cause a future conflict. The resentment for the treaty was one of the causes of the election of Hitler in 1933.
How did the failure of the League of Nations cause World War II?
In the 1920s, the League of Nations had proven itself to be weak and ineffective. The League’s lack of action against the Manchurian and the Abyssinian Crises encouraged Hitler to take risks in his foreign policy. Britain and France favored their own interests over the League’s.
How did Hitler’s foreign policy cause World War II?
Hitler’s aims were aggressive and expansionist. Ideas about Grossdeutchland and Lebensraum meant expanding eastwards into other countries. Hitler invested heavily in rearmament and the Luftwaffe. Possessing this much military power made war more likely.
How did appeasement cause World War II?
The policy gave Hitler Austria and the Sudetenland against their governments and the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler viewed Britain and France as weak. This encouraged him to make increasingly outrageous demands that would lead to war.
How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact cause World War II?
The USSR had many reasons to avoid breaking the pact. As a result, Britain and France were weaker without the USSR. The pact gave Hitler the perfect conditions to invade Poland. He knew that, if his actions triggered a war, he would only fight with Britain and France.
What is Grossdeutchland?
The concept of a “Greater Germany” that would unite all German-speaking peoples under one nation.
What is Lebensraum?
The concept of “living space” - Hitler’s belief that Germany needed to expand eastward to gain territory for German people.
