Hitler's FP

Why was Germany the most dissatisfied power following the Treaty of Versailles?

They were upset by almost every term, particularly the "War Guilt" clause and reparations. Despite the harsh terms, they remained a powerful nation with significant resources, leading to a strong desire to seek revenge and reverse the treaty when the right circumstances arose.

What was the "Stab in the Back" myth (Dolchstoßlegende) in Germany?

A conspiracy theory claiming the German army remained undefeated on the battlefield but was betrayed at home by "November Criminals"—politicians, socialists, Jews, and democratic leaders. This myth encouraged many Germans to turn to the Nazi Party.

Why was Japan dissatisfied with the peace settlement?

• A "racial equality" clause they requested was denied at the Paris Peace Conference due to immigration policies in Australia and the USA.

Despite capturing German territory in China, they felt they did not receive the recognition or expansion they deserved, eventually leading them to "change sides" later.

Why was Italy considered a dissatisfied power?

They had joined WWI (originally being neutral) because they were promised German and Turkish colonies, but they did not receive as many as they hoped for.

How did the British view of the Treaty change by the 1930s?

Britain began to see the Treaty as too harsh and viewed the rise of Hitler as an understandable reaction to it. They felt it was their duty to help Germany revise the treaty terms peacefully, which was a core reason for the policy of Appeasement.

What was the French perspective on the Treaty in the mid-1930s?

France believed the Treaty was not harsh enough and wanted to permanently disable Germany to guarantee their own security. However, they did not feel strong enough to stand up to Hitler alone, so they followed Britain’s lead.

When did Hitler become Chancellor and what was his first major international move?

He became Chancellor on Jan 30th, 1933, after being elected by President Paul von Hindenburg. He immediately withdrew Germany from the League of Nations.

What does the acronym LUV stand for regarding Hitler’s policy aims?

• L — Lebensraum (Living Space): Expanding eastwards towards Poland and the USSR to gain farmland, raw materials, and space for German settlers.

U — Unite: Bringing all German-speaking people into one Reich, specifically targeting Austria, some of Poland, and the 3.5 million Germans in the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia).

V — Versailles: Overturning the Treaty of Versailles by ending military restrictions, regaining lost land, and stopping reparations.

What were Hitler's "Other Aims" beyond LUV?

To destroy Communism (leading to conflict with Russia) and to make Germany a feared world power again.

What was the significance of the Locarno Treaties mentioned in the presentation?

They were international agreements in the 1920s that suggested a "new age of peace" and showed the League becoming more stable before the chaos of the 1930s.

How did the Great Depression (GDP) help Hitler?

It caused economic chaos, which Hitler took advantage of to rise to power in 1933.

Break down the RRASD acronym for Hitler’s violations of the Treaty.

• R — Rearmament: Rebuilding the German military throughout the 1930s.

R — Remilitarisation: Sending troops into the Rhineland in 1936.

A — Anschluss: The union with Austria in 1938.

S — Sudetenland: Annexed in October 1938 following the Munich Agreement.

D — Danzig: Annexed Danzig and invaded the Polish Corridor on Sept 1, 1939, using a Polish refusal as the excuse to invade.

What was the Rome-Berlin Axis (October 1936) and what caused it?

An alliance between Italy and Germany to coordinate foreign policy. It was formed because the Abyssinian Crisis destroyed Italy’s relations with Britain and France, pushing Mussolini toward Hitler.

What was the Anti-Comintern Pact (1936-37) and its goal?

An agreement between Germany and Japan (joined by Italy in 1937) to oppose the spread of international communism and the Soviet Union (Comintern).

What were the secret protocols of the Anti-Comintern Pact regarding the Soviet Union?

Germany and Japan agreed that if the USSR attacked one of them, they would not assist Russia or sign any political treaties with them.

How did the Spanish Civil War (1936) solidify the Rome-Berlin Axis?

Both Hitler and Mussolini provided military support (troops, planes, tanks) to General Franco’s Nationalist forces. This joint intervention proved their shared commitment to opposing communism.

What was the Pact of Steel (1939)?

A formal military alliance that committed Italy to join any war that Germany started.

What was the Stresa Front (April 1935)?

An agreement between Britain, France, and Italy to stand together against German rearmament and treaty violations.

How did Britain contribute to the breakdown of the Stresa Front in June 1935?

By signing the Anglo-German Naval Agreement without consulting Italy or France. It allowed Germany a navy 35% the size of Britain's and 100% of their submarine capacity, effectively legalizing German rearmament.

What was Hitler’s Four Year Plan (August 1936)?

A plan led by Hermann Goering to gear the German economy for war within four years by increasing military spending and production.

Compare the size of the German Army and Air Force in 1932 vs. 1939.

• Army: Grew from 100,000 men to 950,000.

Air Force: Grew from 36 aircraft to over 8,250.

Warships: Grew from 30 to 95.

How was the Spanish Civil War a "test run" for the dictators?

It allowed Italy and Germany to test their new military equipment (tanks, bombers) and gave their troops real combat practice before WWII.

What modern technology did Italy use against the Abyssinian army?

Tanks, bombers, and mustard gas against a poorly equipped Ethiopian force.

How did the 1929 Stock Market Crash affect Japan’s foreign policy?

Japan was resource-poor and relied on silk exports. When the US and Europe raised tariffs (trade taxes), Japan’s economy collapsed. Military leaders argued that invading neighbors for raw materials and markets was the only solution.

Why did the Great Depression lead to the rise of dictators?

Economic hardship caused people to lose faith in democracy and turn to extremist leaders (Hitler and Mussolini) who promised work, bread, and national glory.

How did the Depression affect the League of Nations' ability to stop aggressors?

Member nations (like Britain and France) were too focused on their own economic problems to pay for or provide troops for the League, making collective security impossible.

What was the Saar Plebiscite (January 1935) and its outcome?

The Saar was an industrial area run by the League for 15 years. In the 1935 vote, over 90% of the population voted to reunite with Germany. Hitler used this as a massive propaganda victory.

How did the Nazis ensure victory in the Saar?

Joseph Goebbels launched a huge propaganda campaign. Despite anti-Nazi activity, the Nazis used intimidation, spying, and kidnapping to silence opposition, though they toned these tactics down in 1934 to avoid French intervention.

Why was the Reoccupation of the Rhineland (March 1936) a "calculated risk"?

Hitler’s troops were in no position to fight the French army. If the French had reacted, German troops had strict orders to retreat. Hitler gambled that Britain and France were too distracted by the Abyssinian Crisis to act.

What was the significance of Hitler’s success in the Rhineland?

It convinced Hitler that Britain and France would not stop him. It marked the failure of collective security and the beginning of the policy of Appeasement.

How did Hitler achieve Anschluss (Union with Austria) in March 1938?

Hitler bullied the Austrian Chancellor (Schuschnigg) into accepting Nazis into his cabinet. When Schuschnigg called for a plebiscite, Hitler sent troops into Austria to "ensure a trouble-free" vote. 99.75% voted for the union.

What was the Munich Agreement (September 1938)?

A meeting between Britain, France, Italy, and Germany (Czechoslovakia was not invited). They agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland to avoid war, provided he promised not to claim any more territory.

Why did Hitler want the Sudetenland?

It contained 3.5 million German speakers, was highly industrialized, and contained Czechoslovakia's main mountain defenses.

What happened in March 1939 regarding Czechoslovakia?

Hitler broke the Munich Agreement by invading and occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia. This proved that Hitler’s aims went beyond just "uniting Germans" and that he could not be trusted.

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939)?

A non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin. They agreed not to fight each other and secretly planned to divide Poland between them.

Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact stun the world?

Because Nazism and Communism were polar opposites and sworn enemies. However, it benefited Hitler by removing the threat of a two-front war and giving him a clear path to invade Poland.

What was the British Guarantee to Poland (March 31, 1939)?

Neville Chamberlain announced that if Poland’s independence was threatened, Britain (and France) would provide all possible support.

What were Hitler’s specific demands regarding Poland in 1939?

He demanded the return of Danzig (which was under League control) and the Polish Corridor (land given to Poland by the TOV to provide sea access).

What happened on September 1, 1939?

Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, after Hitler ignored an ultimatum to withdraw, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

What was the policy of Appeasement and who were its main proponents?

Followed primarily by Britain (led by Neville Chamberlain) and France (led by Edouard Daladier) from 1935 to 1938, it involved giving in to Hitler’s "reasonable" demands to avoid a second world war.

List the key events of Appeasement between 1935 and 1938.

• 1935: Acceptance of the Saar Plebiscite and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement.

1936: Allowing the remilitarization of the Rhineland.

1938 (March): Allowing Anschluss (union with Austria).

1938 (Sept): The Munich Agreement, giving Hitler the Sudetenland.

What event marked the end of Appeasement in March 1939?

Hitler's invasion of the rest of Czechoslovakia (March 15-18), which violated his promises at Munich and proved his goals were not just about "self-determination."

How did the horrors of WWI justify Appeasement?

Many remembered the nearly 1 million British soldiers killed in WWI. Public opinion was overwhelmingly against another war, and leaders felt a duty to exhaust all peaceful options.

What was the "Fairness" or TOV argument for Appeasement?

Many in Britain felt the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh. They saw Hitler's actions—like Anschluss—as Germans simply achieving "self-determination," a right granted to other nations but originally denied to Germany.

How did fear of Communism play a role in Appeasement?

Many British politicians feared Communism (the USSR) more than Nazism. They saw a strong, anti-communist Germany as a "buffer" or shield against the spread of the Soviet Union into Western Europe.

What was the military/economic reality facing Britain in 1938?

• Military: Rearmament only started in 1936; Britain was not ready for a major war in 1938.

Economic: The Great Depression had left Britain with 3 million unemployed and massive social problems; they could not afford a massive war effort at that time.

What is the moral argument against Appeasement?

It was seen as cowardice. It allowed Hitler to be a "bully," go unchallenged, and abandon a sovereign nation (Czechoslovakia) to its fate.

Why was the judgment of Hitler's character a failure of Appeasement?

Appeasement assumed Hitler was a "rational" leader who could be negotiated with. Critics argue his ruthlessness was misjudged, as he never intended to keep his promises.

How did Appeasement affect Stalin and the USSR?

It convinced Stalin that Britain and France would never stand up to Hitler. This fear led him to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact, as he believed Britain and France were trying to push Hitler's expansion toward the East.

Did Appeasement actually help Britain's military position?

While it gave Britain and France time to rearm, critics argue it gave Germany even more time to grow significantly more powerful, making the eventual war much harder to win.

What might have happened if Britain and France had resisted at the Rhineland (1936)?

Hitler's troops had orders to retreat if challenged. Early resistance might have forced a German withdrawal and potentially stopped Hitler before his military grew too large.

Why was Stalin concerned about Hitler since 1933?

Hitler had openly stated his desire to destroy Communism and expand Eastwards into Russia for Lebensraum (living space).

Why did Stalin lose faith in the League of Nations and the West by 1938?

• He saw the League's failure in Abyssinia.

France failed to stop the remilitarization of the Rhineland despite their treaty with the USSR.

The Munich Agreement: Stalin was not invited, which convinced him that Britain and France were happy to let Hitler expand Eastwards.

What were the two main reasons Stalin signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

1. Time: It gave him time to build up his armed forces, as he knew Hitler would eventually break the promise and attack. 2. Security: He feared a "war on two fronts" (Germany to the West and Japan to the East).

What was the official public name of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

What were the public and secret terms of the Pact?

• Public: A 10-year non-aggression pact (agreement not to fight each other).

Secret: They agreed to divide Poland between them; Stalin would also receive the Baltic States and part of Romania.

How did the Pact give Hitler "confidence" to invade Poland?

It removed the threat of a two-front war. He also wrongly assumed that because of the Pact, Britain and France would not go to war over Poland, just as they hadn't over Czechoslovakia.

What was the Pact of Steel (May 1939)?

A military alliance between Germany and Italy that further strengthened Hitler’s position before the invasion.

Describe the German invasion force on September 1, 1939.

Nearly 1.5 million men, over 2,000 tanks, 900 bombers, and 400 fighter planes. The Luftwaffe targeted towns, cities, and Polish airfields.

Why did Britain finally declare war on September 3, 1939?

1. The Polish Guarantee (March 31). 2. The total failure of Appeasement (they could not risk another humiliation like Munich). 3. The need to preserve the balance of power in Europe.

What happened on September 17, 1939?

The USSR invaded Poland from the East to take the territory agreed upon in the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Poland was defeated within 6 weeks.