Outbreak of WWII in Europe (Unit 1 Chapter 4) - Cram Notes

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering why Hitler pursued expansion, the outbreak of WWII, the failures of the League of Nations, appeasement, and the major events and factors leading up to 1939.

What was the most important reason for Hitler’s pursuit of an aggressive foreign policy in the 1930s?

Hitler’s core foreign-policy goals: establish Greater Germany by uniting ethnic Germans, abolish the Treaty of Versailles, and gain Lebensraum (living space) for the Aryan race.

What was the most important reason that contributed to the outbreak of WWII in 1939?

Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939 after policies of expansion and the failures of appeasement and disarmament to stop him.

What was the most important reason for the weaknesses of the League of Nations in the 1930s?

Biased structure (permanent members with veto), lack of its own army, and the absence of the USA, limiting enforcement of sanctions.

What was the most important reason that led to British and French decision to adopt appeasement in the 1930s?

A combination of genuine sympathy for Germany, fear of another war, fear of communism spreading, and a belief that appeasement would buy time to rearm.

Was Chamberlain right to adopt appeasement?

The notes suggest misjudgement of Hitler after 1937; appeasement failed to stop him and may have emboldened further aggression.

Factor 1: Establishing a Greater Germany — what did Hitler aim to achieve and what actions did he take?

Aim: unite ethnic Germans in territories ceded after WWI. Actions: 1938 Anschluss with Austria; 1938 Sep: demanded Sudetenland; 1939 Mar: invaded Czechoslovakia; 1939 Sep: invaded Poland.

Factor 2: Abolishing the Treaty of Versailles — how did Hitler pursue it and with which actions?

Aim: restore pride by reversing ToV terms. Actions: 1935 Rearmament; 1936 Remilitarisation of the Rhineland; 1938 Anschluss with Austria; 1938 Sep: Sudetenland; 1939 Mar: invaded Czechoslovakia; 1939 Sep: invaded Poland.

Factor 3: Lebensraum — what was it and how did Hitler push it?

Aim: gain living space for the German population. Actions: 1938 Anschluss; 1938 Sep: Demanded Sudetenland; 1939 Mar: invaded Czechoslovakia; 1939 Sep: invaded Poland.

Factor 4: Nazi-Soviet Pact — what was it and why was it signed?

A non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR to avoid a two-front war and gain time to rearm; also paved the way for the invasion of Poland.

Hitler’s reasons (in the Pact) — Why did he want a pact with the USSR?

To avoid fighting Britain and France on the Western Front while USSR was on the Eastern Front, thereby preventing a two-front war and securing time to rearm.

Stalin’s reasons — why did Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Response to the Munich Agreement and Western betrayal, a need to buy time to rearm, plus potential long-war gains from a war exhausting Britain, France, and Germany.

What happened at the World Disarmament Conference and its impact on WWII?

Germany demanded parity in armament; Britain and USA refused to commit to France’s disarmament; Hitler withdrew from the Conference and League in 1933, fueling an arms race and distrust that undermined the ToV.

Abyssinian Crisis (1935-1936) — what happened and what did it reveal about the League of Nations?

Italy invaded Abyssinia; Britain and France were allied with Italy against the League’s efforts; weak sanctions (Hoare-Laval Pact discussion); Italy conquered Abyssinia, showing LoN’s impotence.

What were the main weaknesses of the League of Nations in the 1930s?

Veto power of permanent members; lack of an army; USA’s absence; limited membership and pacifist post-war attitudes reducing decisive action.

Why did Britain and France adopt appeasement (addressing the factors) according to the notes?

To avoid another war, buy time to rearm, and respond to domestic economic and political pressures; plus concerns about communism and the aftermath of WWI.

Name two key appeasement milestones in the 1930s.

1935: Anglo-German Naval Agreement; 1938: Munich Agreement (and 1936: Remilitarisation of the Rhineland is also noted as part of appeasement context).

How do the reasons for appeasement differ after 1937?

Misjudgement of Hitler: Chamberlain believed Hitler was trustworthy and aimed only to revise, not abolish, the ToV; he thought Hitler would stop after achieving demands.

What was the significance of the Munich Agreement in the history of appeasement?

Long-term impact: emboldened Hitler, showed that major powers would not stop him, and contributed to rearmament and ultimately the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

What was the significance of the 1939 invasion of Poland in the outbreak of WWII?

It marked the failure of appeasement and the start of WWII, ending the prewar European order and triggering full-scale war.