WW2

Question 1

Manchurian Crisis

Answer 1

1931-1933
Japan invaded Manchuria in September claiming they had blown up the South Manchurian railway they controlled
Japan pretended to give Manchuria independence afterward, but gave control to a weak leader, Puyi, who they could control

Question 2

Manchurian Crisis- The League’s actions

Answer 2

The League failed to act
Economic sanctions wouldn’t work as Japan’s main trading partner was the USA. National self interest lead countries to not impose sanctions due to the Great Depression
No one contributed a military- GB navy- ‘too far away’
Lytton report took too long

24th February 1933 assembly- Japan should leave Manchuria, Japan left the league

Question 3

Abyssinia Crisis

Answer 3

1935-1936
October 3rd 1935- Italy invaded Abyssinia claiming they were bringing ‘civilisation’. They used airplanes, tanks and gas against the spear working Abyssinians
Abyssinia leader pleaded to league for help.
The League imposed economic sanctions and banned arms to Italy
Britain and France kept the Suez Canal open to stay on good terms with Mussolini
By May 1936, Mussolini had conquered Abyssinia

Question 4

Reasons for the Invasion of Abyssinia

Answer 4

Italy was defeated by Abyssinia in 1896 and wanted revenge
Abyssinia was well positioned for Italy to gain land in Africa
Mussolini saw Japan get away with the invasion of Manchuria
Mussolini wanted to take the minds of the people off of the depression and struggle in Italy

Question 5

Sanctions imposed during the Abyssinian crisis

Answer 5

Arms trade to Italy banned
League stopped member nations buying Italian exports
USA still traded oil with Italy
Britain kept trading coal and France kept trading iron and steel to keep on good terms with Mussolini and to protect the economy- National self-interest

Question 6

Hoare-Laval Pact

Answer 6

December 1935- Sir Hoare (GB) and French PM Laval drafted a secret agreement to give Italy 2/3 of Abyssinia.
The pact leaked and was so unpopular that both were forced to resign and the agreement was dropped.
This is a clear example of Britain and France undermining the League

Question 7

Abyssinian Crisis- Results

Answer 7

League had lost against aggression again
Italy left the League in May 1936, and he Rome-Berlin Axis was signed the same year, ending the Stresa Front
Italy had conquered Abyssinia and Hitler had used the crisis as cover to remilitarise the Rhineland in March

Question 8

Stressa Front

Answer 8

An Agreement between GB, France and Italy signed on the 14th April 1935, where Locarno treaties were reaffirmed and all 3 countries agreed to stop Germany unraveling the Treaty of Versailles
It was destroyed by the Abyssinian Crisis

Question 9

Locarno pact

Answer 9

Germany recognised we borders with Belgium and France and wouldn’t put troops near them

Question 10

Why the League failed

Answer 10

It was DUMB

Depression- Created selfishness in countries, with a lack of care for peace
Unsuccessful- failed too much, people didn’t trust it to solve problems
Members- Countries who were excluded, left of undermined the league
Big Bullies- Strong powers targeting weaker ones

It also had a poor structure and its powers were weak

Question 11

Hitler’s Foreign Policy

Answer 11

RUDE

Rearm Germany
Unite all German speakers
Destroy Communism
Expand to the east- Lebensraum

Question 12

Anglo-German Naval Agreement

Answer 12

1935
Germany could have 35% of the tonnage of Britain s navy. This broke the ToV
1938- Germany had 800,000 men in army, 47 U-boats and 2000 aircraft
French annoyed as GB signed without permission
Marked start of ‘Anglo-German Alliance’ which ended in 1939

Question 13

How Hitler would achieve his foreign policy

Answer 13

• Change territorial settlements from the ToV by regaining land inhabited by Germans that was lost in the ToV e.g. Danzig
• Bring 7 million German speaking people in Austria, and the 4 million in Poland and Czechoslovakia into Germany’s empire. Also involves destroying the 1919 ToV
• Build up German Army so that the aims could be supported by force, probe Germany was a strong power
• Expand to the east, against Communism. Hated communism as it’s the opposite as fascism

Question 14

Disarmament conference

Answer 14

1933
Hitler withdrew claiming of equality of armament so every country should have the same power. He drove a wedge between GB and France weakened the conference and was free to rearm

Question 15

The Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Answer 15

March 1936
Germany marched troops into the Rhineland, France didn’t act, Hitler had broken another ToV term! Also went against the Locarno pact

Question 16

How Hitler got away with the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

Answer 16

France was having a change in government as French PM Laval brought government down, so they didn’t act. Also Britain didn’t support France and they would only retaliate with their support.
Abyssinian Crisis covered it up
Hitler was told by his generals not to do it as French retaliation would damage Germany, but Hitler went through with it and it payed off

Question 17

Rhineland results

Answer 17

Hitler gained popularity and trust of his generals due to no one acting against him, Hitler has unraveled the ToV again and gained confidence
Ended the League
GB movement towards rearmament
Maginot line being built
GB+ France gave up on Mussolini as an ally against Hitler
Lead to Rome-Berlin Axis 1936

Question 18

Failed Anschluss

Answer 18

1934
Austrian Nazis encouraged by Hitler tries to seize power after murder of Dollfuss- Austrian Chancellor
Mussolini moved troops to the border and guaranteed independence of Austria
Hitler backed down

Question 19

Successful Anschluss

Answer 19

1938