Why had international peace collapsed by 1939? Flashcards
What was the stab in the back” myth?
This myth developed after WW1
Germany had been betrayed by a group of weak, unpatriotic politicians
Myth gained popularity, giving rise to the thinking that if the war had not really been lost then the peace settlement was unnecessary and should be overturned
What was lebensraum?
Living space for German people, especially in eastern Europe
What was appeasement?
The policy of Britain and France that saw them making pacts and deals with the dictators in order to satisfy their demands without going to war
When did Britain declare war on Germany?
3rd September 1939
Main causes of the WW2
- The peace treaties 1919-23
- The failure of the LoN
- Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy
- Appeasement
- Nazi-Soviet Pact
- German invasion of Poland
What was the Nazi-Soviet pact?
An agreement between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.
Non aggression pact
In effect it sealed the fate of Poland
Germany could now attack Poland without facing the Soviets
Consequences of the peace treaties
- Nations were extremely dissatisfied
- Germany had rebuilt after the harshness of the TOV
- Hitler promised to destroy the treaty
What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Japan
Japan withdrew from the League
Moved closer to Hitler and Mussolini through the Anti-Comintern pact
Invasion of Manchuria encouraged Italy and Germany to invade
What was the Anti-Comintern pact?
Agreement between Japan and Germany (and Italy)
Disguised as an effort to combat the influence of the Communist International
Intended to serve as a military alliance aimed at the Soviet Union
What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Italy
Italy was able to invade Abyssinia
Suez Canal had not been closed
Encouraged Hitler to destroy the TOV
What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Disarmament
At the Disarmament conference 1932-33, Germans stated they would disarm if every nation disarmed
French did not accept, giving Hitler the excuse he needed
Hitler rearmed and left the League
What were the consequences of the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s? - Appeasement
Britain and France both adopted a policy of appeasement towards the dictators as a means of controlling peace
What were Hitler’s foreign policies?
- Destroy the TOV
- Create a greater Germany
- Bolshevism – destroy communism
- Acquire Lebensraum
- Create a central European Empire
Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Destroy the TOV
- Disarmament clause would be broken by introducing conscription and building up German armed forces
- Rhineland would be remilitarise, strengthening Germany’s western frontier
- Territory lost under the TOV would be regained
- Uniting with Austria
Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Create a greater Germany
All German-speaking peoples were to be brought into a german empire
Hitler’s Foreign Policy - Bolshevism
Hiter was anti-communist
He believed the Bolsheviks were responsible for Germany’s defeat in WW1