the interwar years: part three - out break of WW2

What were Hitler's aims?

GLORIOUS COUNTRY AND ARMY: Be a Great Power again. Use a rearmed army, navy + air force.

ANSCHLUSS: Unite all German speaking people under his rule

SPACE-LEBENSRAUM: Gain territory in the East to provide 'living space' for German people.

SECURE FRIENDSHIP: ideally with Italy and Britain

END/DESTROY ToV: Blamed the politicians involved and gained supporters from disobeying ToV.

Hitlers Rearmament Program in 1933 and onwards

Withdrew Germany from the World Disarmament Conference on the grounds that no other power was disarming.

Claimed Germany wanted peace & would disarm completely

if other powers did so.

Hitler withdrew Germany from LoN 1933

Introduced conscription 1935

(claimed army was needed for defence).

France and Britain supported Germany's right to rearm by signing a naval agreement with Hitler in 1935,

This allowed Germany's to build a fleet as long as it was no more than 35% of theirs.

How did Hitler get away with Rearmament?

Wilson's 14 points said for all countries to reduce arms and only Germany had.

France had in fact increased conscription to 18 months.

It was only fair Germany should have an army and navy too. Claimed they needed an army for self defence.

France didn't act as it could not act on its own

(invasion of Ruhr 1923 proved this)

Divisions between Britain and France grows.

Hitler exploits this by whenever he does something that could cause a reaction, he follows up with an action suggesting peace.

The Dollfuss Affair in 1934

Hitler wanted to unite Germany with Austria (Anschluss)

This was banned by T of V.

Aware of Hitler's intentions, the Austrian chancellor, Dollfuss, banned the Nazi Party in Austria.

In 1934, Hitler responded by telling the Austrian Nazis to create havoc in the country.

They murdered Dollfuss.

However, his plot failed because the Austrian army supported the government and because Mussolini moved his troops to the Austrian border, promising to stop the Anschluss.

Hitler realised that Germany wasn't ready for war and backed down, arguing the Austrian Nazis acted alone.

10 year non-aggression pact with Poland in 1934

This guaranteed the boundaries of Poland (satisfied Poles)

This pleased Britain - saw it as further proof Hitler's aims were peaceful (accepted Polish border set up at Versailles)

This was probably designed by Hitler to keep up the appearance of non-aggression and buy Germany time for rearmament.

Anglo-German Naval agreement and rearmament in 1935

Limited German navy to 35% of strength of British fleet

(not incl. submarines)

By signing, Britain had agreed to Germany rearming.

Britain felt if countries could not agree on rearmament as shown at the Disarmament Conference, then it was better for Britain to limit the size of the German navy.

By doing this, Britain also weakened the Stresa Front which was a British, French and Italian protest against German disarmament.

Britain had not consulted France or Italy.

By 1938 the German empire has expanded.

Saar Plebiscite in 1935

The German speaking Saar industrial area was taken from Germany by the ToV & put under LoN.

France had special access to coal there.

In 1935, a plebiscite (vote) among Germans was to be held after 15yrs to decide whether it should be returned to Germany.

90% voted in favour!

plebiscite meant that it was held legally.

Hitler had legally overturned part of the ToV so no country could stop this especially as crowds cheered as the Nazi's entered the Saar.

Reoccupation/ Remilitarisation of the Rhineland, 1936

Under the terms of ToV, the Rhineland remained in Germany but troops, weapons or fortifications were not allowed in the area.

In 1935, France and the USSR signed the Franco-Soviet pact- agreed to support each other if either was attacked by Germany.

Hitler ordered his troops to march into the Rhineland

(an act clearly in defiance of the ToV)

of and Locarno Pact!

His troops were greeted by civilians who gave them flowers

Hitler had been relying on such a welcome, his army was still small and he instructed his generals that they were to retreat if they faced resistance.

What was the other countries reaction to the remilitaration of the Rhineland?

Britain- Many Britons felt that Germany had the right to protect their own borders, so shouldn't intervene.

British troops were already busy dealing with the Italian invasion of Abyssinia.

Britain didn't act as they believed Hitler was merely 'marching into his own backyard'

France- wouldn't act without support of GB

LoN- condemned Hitler's action but did nothing!

Only USSR voted to stop him.

Consequences of the remilitaration of the Rhineland

This led Hitler to believe he could get away with aggressive action!

Hitler followed this up with another promise of peace: 25 year non-aggression pact.

Lulling countries into a false sense of security whilst he carries out his plans to overturn the Treaty of Versailles!

Mussolini signed a pact with Hitler, the Rome-Berlin Axis

(Hitler & Mussolini supported the Spanish fascist General Franco in the Spanish Civil War- brought Italy &

Germany together)

As a Hitler wanted to test his weapons and allow his men to gain experience of war.

Hitler now knew Mussolini wouldn't stop Anschluss in future!

Events of Anschluss 1938

Austrian Nazis campaigned in Austria to union with Germany through riots, fires, bombs.

When the Austrian government banned the Nazi party and asked Hitler for help to stop the plotting.

Hitler held a meeting with the Austrian leader Schuschnigg.

Hitler put pressure on Schuschnigg to give all important jobs in his government to Nazis.

He arranged riots and demonstrations to add to the pressure.

Schuschnigg compromised by appointing Nazi's as head of police.

France, and Britain both refused to help Austria.

In March 1938 Schuschnigg announced his intention to hold a plebiscite to allow the Austrian people to decide for themselves.

Hitler was not prepared to take the risk of losing so he moved troops to the Austrian border and demanded that Schuschnigg call off the plebiscite.

Schuschnigg resigned and was replaced by leading Nazi Seyss-Inquart, who invited the Germans into Austria to restore order and Hitler's opponents.

Hitler entered Austria in triumph and the union was established 14th March 1938.

A plebiscite was held and majority agreed and most Austrians wanted the union as keen to be part of glory of Hitler's Reich.

Why wasn't Hitler stopped at Anschluss?

He had been invited into Austria, he did not invade.

Britain and France were not willing to get involved plebiscite. 99.75% wanted this in Austria.

Britain and France were too distracted with USSR)

What were the League of Nations reactions to Anschluss?

Most people in Britain felt that Austria and Germany were essentially the same country and therefore should be allowed to unite.

France was facing economic issues which caused problems in their own government so they weren't worried about Anchluss.

What were the consequences of Anschluss?

Hitler had demonstrated how he aimed to dismantle the ToV. This heightened his popularity.

Austria was rich in natural resources such as steel and iron ore, which was used to fuel Nazi rearmament.

The Austrian army of 100,000 men added strength to Germany's forces.

Germany now bordered western Czechoslovakia on 3 sides.

What is appeasement?

Giving in to an aggressive country to keep peace.

Reasons for appeasement

Loss of lives.

Fear of Communism.

-It was felt better to support a strong leader of Germany rather than risk Communist takeover.

Britain needed time.

-Britain had more time to build up her armed forces.

Germany deserved a fair deal Germany was treated too harshly at Versailles, so were only being given their rightful land and their grievances could be solved which would avoid war.

Economic costs of war Britain was still suffering from 1929 economic depression and could not afford a rearmament programme.

The policy of appeasement was sensible.

Since Collapse of League of Nations Chamberlain felt

'personal diplomacy' would be the future way to keep

peace.

Reasons against appeasement

Hitler couldn't be trusted!

-1933 onwards he had broken promises and the ToV

e.g. Anschluss

It would have allowed Germany to grow stronger meant it would be far more difficult to defeat.

Hitler was determined to conquer Eastern Europe.

Plans clear in Mein Kampf - the policy of appeasement was clearly doomed from the start as Hitler just lied.

Betrayal Lands protected by the ToV could argue they were being betrayed.

It encouraged as he believed her could do whatever he wanted without fear of being stopped.

Appeasement scared the USSR When Britain and France did not stand up to Hitler, the USSR became worried about German power - and began thinking about deals with Hitler.

Sudeten Crisis (1938)

Sudetenland borders region around Czechoslovakia.

Czechoslovakia had a large army and strong defence in the Sudetenland, a western region bordering Germany and Hitler wanted it for Lebensraum.

Sudetenland was home to many Germans.

As a minority group, German Sudetens claimed that they had been persecuted by the Czechs.

Hitler used this as an excuse; he needed to 'save' the Germans.

Sudetenland was a good base from which to launch an attack on Czechoslovakia.

Leader of Czech Nazi Party, Konrad Henlein was urged by Hitler to demand that the Czech government make concessions to the Sudeten Germans.

April 1938- German troops began massing on Czech border.

Czech president Benes mobilised his troops to resist Hitler

Britain & France were keen to avoid war so persuaded Benes to make further concessions to Sudetens.

Hitler says plebiscites would be held.

It became clear that Hitler wanted to make the Sudetenland part of Germany.

How did the Sudetenland use appeasement?

15 Sep 1938- Chamberlain met Hitler at Berchtesgaden to discuss his demands then persuaded Czechs to transfer parts of the Sudetenland to Germany.

Benes realised he couldn't rely on Britain and France for help.

22 Sep 1938- met again at Godesberg.

This time Hitler wants all of Sudetenland, no plebiscites & threatens war if he doesn't get his way

Chamberlain returned to Britain & prepared for war.

War was avoided when Mussolini persuaded Hitler to attend Munich conference.

The Munich Conference & Agreement

On September 1938...

4 leaders: Hitler (Ger), Mussolini (It), Chamberlain (Br), Daladier(Fr)

No representatives from Czechoslovakia or USSR

Agreed:

-Hitler could have the Sudetenland.

-Britain and France guaranteed rest of Czechoslovakia would not be affected.

Czechoslovakia forced to accept.

Chamberlain & Hitler met privately and promised never to go to war against each other.

Chamberlain returned to Britain as a "peace in our time" as he had kept peace in Europe.

Outcome of Munich Conference

1. Peace had been maintained by Chamberlain

2. Britain sped up rearmament

3. Czechoslovakia had been betrayed

4. Hitler had gained the Sudetenland without fighting

5. Czechoslovakia had lost its defensive frontier and become vulnerable to invasion

6. Germany had gained the armaments and mineral resources of the Sudetenland

7. The USSR had been left out and felt betrayed - reason why they later sign Nazi-Soviet Pact

The occupation of the rest of Czechoslovakia

On March 1939

Czech lost 70% industrial lands, Munich border, and mountain defences.

The loss of the Sudeten Germans stirred other nationalities in Czech to demand a return to their nation states.

Loss of the Sudetenland also meant a loss of Czech's strong defensive system.

Poland and Hungary took land from Czech.

The Czech president appealed to Hitler for help & in the end had no choice but to invite the Germans into Czech.

15 March- Hitler took the rest of Czech claiming he was "restoring order".

As Hitler was invited in, he couldn't be stopped.

End of Appeasement

Hitler couldn't justify the takeover by claiming that the people were German-speakers or that he was righting a wrong of the ToV.

Hitler had broken the promise he'd made to Chamberlain at Munich & was now seen as an aggressor whose aims were not limited, and needed to be stopped.

Nazi-Soviet Pact, Aug 1939

On August 23rd 1939

Germany & Russia agree not to attack each other (non-aggression pact) & to divide Poland between them.

Hitler felt confident Britain & France wouldn't help Poland (they'd backed down over Czech)

Stalin signed because grew impatient with Britain's delays and failure to sign a pact with him & was angry that he wasn't invited to Munich.

Needed to protect himself!

Why did the Nazi Soviet Pact happen?

Stalin was unhappy with Britain as he was insulted by Britain's slowness to negotiate, and did not trust Britain.

When the Anglo-Soviet alliance failed, he turned to Germany.

Hitler wanted the alliance because only Russia could keep Britain's promise to defend Poland.

He believed that, if he got a promise of peace with Russia, Britain would be forced to back down over Poland and Danzig.

Overturn the ToV: Poland was created at the end of WW1 as stolen land.

Mutual Distrust- Stalin suspected Hitler would turn against him (which he did in 1941 when he invaded Russia).

Signing the pact bought time for USSR to build up its army ready for war

Impact of the Nazi Soviet Pact

Hitler could now attack Poland - he would avoid a war on two fronts

Hitler thought Britain wouldn't dare oppose the attack on Poland - Munich had proven that and there were Germans in Danzig.

Britain and France had lost an ally - the USSR - they would now be a lesser threat to Hitler if war did break out.

Why did Hitler invade Poland in September 1939

Danzig had 90% German population

Danzig was an independent state ran by Poland.

Hitler wanted to overturn the Treaty of Versailles.

Lebensraum.

Nazi Soviet Pact - could act without a worry of war with the USSR

What happened in Poland on September 1939?

Poland refused to give Hitler Danzig.

Britain and France had guaranteed Polish independence after Czechoslovakia and so warned Hitler they would go to war with Germany if they invaded Poland - no more Munichs!

Collapse of Czechoslovakia had been last straw for appeasers

Public opinion now favoured opposing Hitler.

1st September 1939 - Germany invaded Poland.

Chamberlain asked Hitler to withdraw but this failed.

3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany

What were the main causes WW2?

1. Treaty of Versailles

2. Hitler's aims and policies

3. Britain's failure to support the League of Nations

4. Chamberlain's policy of appeasement

5. The policy of the USSR

How was WW2 Hitlers fault?

Invaded Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland.

Ignored peace conferences offered.

Pretended to be peaceful when wanted revenge.

Walked out Disarmament Conference in 1933.

Went against ToV.

Introduced conscription, re-armed.

Didn't keep promises like Locarno Treaty.

How wasn't WW2 Hitler;s fault?

ToV was too strict

Chamberlain should have done more.

The league acted weak and had their own selfish agendas.

Britain shouldn't have allowed Rhineland to be remilitarised

Gave into Hitler control of countries.

Other countries could have disarmed.

Britain should have acted faster in allying with the USSR.