Why, and with what effects, did Britain and France pursue a policy of appeasement?

Question 1

What was the public opinion in Britain and France regarding war after WW1?

Answer 1

• widespread opposition to another war
  -fear of modern warfare and its devastating impact contributed to this

Question 2

what economic constraints affected Britain and France’s ability for war?

Answer 2

• The Great Depression left them financially unprepared
• prioritized international relations

Question 2

Why were Britain and France hesitant to impose sanctions during the Manchurian Crisis?

Answer 2

• Potential economic harm and trade losses
• exemplifies by Japan’s actions during the crisis

Question 3

What natural interests influenced Britain and France’s actions regarding the League of Nations?

Answer 3

• Avoided actions that could harm trade relations or provoke war
• included the Abyssian and Manchurian crisis

Question 4

What military investment did France make for defense against Germany?

Answer 4

• Invested in the Maginot Line
• this was a key aspect for military strategy

Question 5

What was Britain’s military focus during the interwar period?

Answer 5

• Protecting its global empire
• economic limits post depression prioritized imperial defense

Question 5

What is the Maginot Line?

Answer 5

a massive line of fortifications built by France along its border with Germany in the 1930s to defend against invasion

Question 5

What was the ‘Ten Year Rule’ that Britain operated under?

Answer 5

• Assuming no major war would occur for at least ten years
• This influenced military spending and preparations

Question 6

What limitations did the Great Depression impose on military spending?

Answer 6

• limited military spending and inability to provide military aid
• affected conflicts such as Abyssinia vs Italy and China vs Japan

Question 7

What were the logistical Challenges of military intervention during this period?

Answer 7

• Interventions in distant regions deemed infeasible
• confronting hitler required costly, high- risk campaigns

Question 8

What was the significance of the Anti-Comintern Pact?

Answer 8

• Linked Germany and Japan
• This made confrontation with Germany potentially a two-front war

Question 9

When was the Treaty of Rapallo?

Answer 9

1922

Question 10

When and what was the Treaty of Mutual Assistance?

Answer 10

• 1935
• An agreement between France and the USSR to help each other if attacked by a European power

Question 11

When did the USA recognize the USSR?

Answer 11

• 1933
• driven by concerns over Japanese expansionism

Question 12

When did USSR join the League?

Answer 12

1935

Question 13

When was the Nazi- Soviet Pact signed?

Answer 13

• Aug 23 1939