Conflict and Tension FC

What is the overview of AQA Conflict and Tension 1918-1939?

This topic covers three sections: (1) the Paris Peace Conference and Treaty of Versailles 1919, (2) the League of Nations 1920-1939, and (3) the road to WW2 1933-1939. The paper has a 4-mark source question, a 12-mark source usefulness question, an 8-mark account question, and a 16-mark essay. The account question is key — you must write a narrative of how events caused each other, not just a list.

What are the most likely 8-mark ACCOUNT questions for this topic?

1. Write an account of the events of the Manchurian Crisis and how it exposed the weaknesses of the League. 2. Write an account of how the Abyssinian Crisis led to the collapse of the League. 3. Write an account of how Hitler challenged the Treaty of Versailles between 1933 and 1936. 4. Write an account of the events that led to the outbreak of WW2 in September 1939. For each: use connectives like "as a result", "this meant that", "consequently" — the examiner wants to see causation not just description.

What was the background to the Treaty of Versailles?

WW1 ended with the German Armistice on 11 November 1918. The Paris Peace Conference began 18 January 1919 — 32 countries attended but only the Big 3 (USA, Britain, France) made the key decisions. The Treaty was signed at Versailles on 28 June 1919. Germany was not invited to negotiate — they had to accept the terms or face renewed war.

Who were the Big 3 at the Treaty of Versailles and what were their aims?

Georges Clemenceau (France): France had suffered most — wanted Germany crippled so it could never attack France again. Wanted maximum reparations, Germany broken up into smaller states, permanent occupation of the Rhineland. David Lloyd George (Britain): Wanted Germany punished but not so harshly it would cause another war in 25 years — he privately feared the Treaty was too harsh. Wanted Germany's navy destroyed and some German colonies. Woodrow Wilson (USA): An idealist — proposed the Fourteen Points. Wanted self-determination for all peoples, a League of Nations, and a fair peace. Joined WW1 late so suffered least.

What were Wilson's Fourteen Points (8 January 1919)?

Key proposals: (1) No secret treaties between countries. (2) Freedom of the seas. (3) Self-determination — all peoples should choose their own government. (4) Reduction of armaments. (5) Creation of a League of Nations. Wilson believed these would prevent future wars. Many of his points were NOT included in the final Treaty — France and Britain overruled him on the harshest terms. The US Senate refused to ratify Versailles, meaning the USA never joined the League of Nations.

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (use GARGLE)?

Guilt — Clause 231: Germany accepted sole blame for causing WW1. Armed forces — army limited to 100,000 men, no conscription, no submarines, no aeroplanes, no battleships over a certain size, Rhineland demilitarised. Reparations — £6,600 million (set 1921), to be paid in instalments until 1984. Germany lost land — Alsace-Lorraine to France, Posen and West Prussia to Poland (creating the Polish Corridor), North Schleswig to Denmark, Saar controlled by League for 15 years, all German colonies lost. League of Nations created. Extra — Anschluss (union with Austria) forbidden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania made independent.

What land did Germany lose under the Treaty of Versailles?

Alsace-Lorraine → France (lost in 1871, now returned). West Prussia and Posen → Poland (creating the Polish Corridor separating Germany from East Prussia). North Schleswig → Denmark (after plebiscite). Eupen and Malmedy → Belgium. Saar coalfields → League of Nations control for 15 years. All overseas colonies → became League of Nations mandates controlled by Britain and France. Germany lost 13% of its territory, 10% of its population, 16% of its coalfields and 48% of its iron industry.

How did the Big 3 react to the Treaty of Versailles?

Clemenceau (France): Liked reparations, small German army, demilitarised Rhineland, return of Alsace-Lorraine. Disappointed it wasn't harsher — wanted Germany split up. Lloyd George (Britain): Liked Germany losing its navy and colonies. Privately thought the Treaty was too harsh and would cause another war in 25 years — he was right. Wilson (USA): Got the League of Nations and self-determination in theory. Deeply disappointed — many Fourteen Points ignored. When he returned home, the US Senate voted against joining Versailles and the League — a massive blow.

How did Germany react to the Treaty of Versailles (U BRAT)?

Unfair — Germany thought it was deeply unjust as they had no say and had to sign or face invasion. Blamed — Germany rejected the "war guilt" clause, believing all major powers shared responsibility. Reparations — crippled Germany economically; by 1922 Germany could not afford to pay, causing the 1923 Ruhr Crisis. Armed forces — humiliated German military pride. Territory — loss of the Polish Corridor was bitterly resented, separating Germany from East Prussia. At first Germany refused to sign — the German navy sank its own ships in protest. German leader Ebert was eventually forced to sign.

What was the impact of the Treaty on Germany in the early 1920s?

By 1922 Germany fell behind with reparation payments. In January 1923 French and Belgian troops invaded the industrial Ruhr region to take goods and raw materials as payment. German workers went on strike — the French killed 100 workers and expelled 100,000 protesters. The German government printed money to pay strikers, causing hyperinflation — money became worthless. Workers were paid daily and food prices soared. Children used banknotes as building blocks. This economic crisis fuelled resentment of Versailles and created conditions for extremist politics.

What were other peace treaties signed after WW1?

Treaty of St Germain (1919) — Austria: lost territory to Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Italy. Forbidden from uniting with Germany (no Anschluss). Army limited to 30,000. Treaty of Trianon (1920) — Hungary: lost 2/3 of its territory. Treaty of Neuilly (1919) — Bulgaria: lost land to Greece and Yugoslavia. Treaty of Sèvres (1920) — Ottoman Empire broken up. New countries created: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland — all containing many different national groups, creating ethnic tensions that would destabilise Europe.

What was Czechoslovakia and why was it significant?

New country created at the Paris Peace Conference, intended to be an economically and politically stable state in eastern Europe. However it contained many national groups — Czechs, Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, Poles, Ukrainians. The 3 million German-speakers in the Sudetenland would later be Hitler's justification for annexing the country. Shows the problem with self-determination — it was impossible to draw borders that satisfied everyone.

When was the League of Nations created and who was excluded?

Created 10 January 1920 by the Treaty of Versailles, with 42 founding members. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. USA never joined — US Senate voted against it in May 1920, believing it would drag America into European wars. Germany was excluded as punishment for causing WW1. USSR was excluded as Western powers feared communism. By the mid-1930s membership rose to 58 nations — but without the USA, it lacked real power.

What were the aims of the League of Nations (SIDE)?

Stop war through collective security — member nations would act together against aggression. Improve lives and jobs — humanitarian work through agencies. Disarmament — encourage all nations to reduce their armed forces. Enforce the Treaty of Versailles — uphold the peace settlement. The key idea was collective security — if one nation was attacked, all members would respond. This was only as strong as the commitment of its members, which was the fundamental problem.

What were the powers of the League of Nations?

Covenant (Articles 10-17): members promised to keep the peace. Condemnation: the League could publicly declare a country was acting wrongly. Arbitration: the League could step in to decide between two countries in dispute. Sanctions: the League could order members to stop trading with an aggressive nation. Crucially — the League had NO army. It relied entirely on member nations to enforce its decisions, which proved fatally weak in the 1930s.

What was the structure of the League of Nations?

Assembly: the main meeting, all members met once a year. Problem — decisions had to be unanimous (agreed by everyone), making agreement nearly impossible. Council: small group of major nations — Britain, France, Italy, Japan as permanent members plus 4-9 rotating members, met 4-5 times a year. Agencies/Committees: Court of International Justice, Health Committee, International Labour Organisation, Slavery Committee, Refugee Committee. Secretariat: meant to organise the League but was ineffective.

What were the successes of the League of Nations in the 1920s?

Aaland Islands 1921: Finland and Sweden both claimed these islands — League ruled they should go to Finland, Sweden accepted. Bulgaria 1925: Greece invaded Bulgaria — League ordered Greece to withdraw and pay compensation, Greece obeyed. Humanitarian work: freed 200,000 slaves in Africa and Burma, worked to prevent leprosy and malaria, set up camps for Turkish refugees (1922), helped Austria and Hungary avoid bankruptcy (1922-23) with economic loans, returned half a million WW1 prisoners to their homes, closed down 4 Swiss drug companies. Dawes Plan 1924 and Locarno Treaties 1925 — helped stabilise Europe.

What were the failures of the League of Nations in the 1920s?

Vilna 1920: Poland seized Vilna from Lithuania — League did nothing because it didn't want to upset Poland (seen as a buffer against communism). In 1923 League accepted Polish control. Corfu 1923: Mussolini's men were killed on Greek territory — he invaded the Greek island of Corfu. League pressured Greece to apologise AND pay compensation to Italy. Mussolini got what he wanted — showed powerful countries could defy the League. Poland/Upper Silesia 1921: League decided to split the industrial area between Poland and Germany — both sides were angry. Disarmament 1921: Commission failed because Britain objected.

What were the Dawes Plan (1924) and Locarno Treaties (1925)?

Dawes Plan 1924: USA lent money to Germany to help it pay reparations, helping the European economy recover. Created a period of economic growth until the Wall Street Crash. Locarno Treaties 1925: Germany (under Stresemann), France, Britain, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Czechoslovakia agreed — Germany accepted its western borders as set by Versailles, the Rhineland would stay demilitarised, France and Germany would settle disputes through the League. Germany joined the League September 1926. A period of optimism — seemed like lasting peace was possible.

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)?

Signed by 63 countries, including USA and Germany — they agreed to renounce war as a means of solving disputes and to settle conflicts peacefully. Marked the high point of international cooperation in the 1920s. Made the League look like it was working. However it had no enforcement mechanism — just a promise. When the Depression hit, countries ignored it completely. Shows international goodwill existed but was fragile.

What was the Wall Street Crash (1929) and how did it affect the League?October 1929 — US stock market collapsed, causing a worldwide Great Depression. USA recalled its loans to Germany and Europe — economic crisis returned. Mass unemployment across Europe: Germany, Britain, France all hit hard. Countries became nationalistic — focused on their own problems, not world peace. Military spending seemed more attractive than international cooperation. The Depression directly caused the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises as Japan and Italy sought economic resources through conquest. The League was fatally weakened.

ACCOUNT CARD — Write an account of the Manchurian Crisis 1931-33September 1931: Japan vandalised its own railway at Mukden and blamed China as a pretext to invade Manchuria. China appealed to the League. December 1931: League appointed the Lytton Commission (led by Lord Lytton) to investigate — this took months. April 1932: Lytton arrived in Manchuria. October 1932: Lytton Report published — concluded Japan was the aggressor and should leave. February 1933: League Assembly voted Japan should leave. Japan walked out of the meeting, stayed in Manchuria, and in 1933 resigned from the League. The League could not agree economic sanctions or an arms ban. By 1937 Japan had invaded the rest of China. This showed the League was too slow, could not enforce its decisions, and that powerful nations could simply ignore it.

Why was the Manchurian Crisis such a disaster for the League?Slow: Lytton Commission took almost a year — Japan had already consolidated its position. No sanctions: the League could not agree economic sanctions or an arms ban. No army: the League had no military force to expel Japan. Members' self-interest: even Japan, a permanent Council member, was allowed to get away with aggression. USA not a member — the one country with enough economic power to damage Japan through sanctions wasn't involved. Showed collective security was useless against a determined major power — particularly during the Depression when countries prioritised self-interest.

ACCOUNT CARD — Write an account of the Abyssinian Crisis 1935-36October 1935: Italy under Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) — an independent African nation rich in raw materials. Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League. The League condemned Italy and introduced some economic sanctions — but crucially NOT oil, which Italy needed for its war machines. Britain and France drew up the secret Hoare-Laval Pact — agreeing to give the richest areas of Abyssinia to Italy in exchange for peace. When this leaked it caused public outrage and both men had to resign. By May 1936 Italy had conquered Abyssinia. The League lifted its useless sanctions. In October 1936 Mussolini signed the Rome-Berlin Axis with Hitler. The League was finished as a peacekeeping body.

Why did the Abyssinian Crisis destroy the League?

Britain and France wanted Mussolini as an ally against Hitler (Stresa Front 1935) — so they were not prepared to stop him. The Hoare-Laval Pact proved Britain and France were willing to secretly betray League principles. Sanctions didn't include oil — the one thing Italy needed. The League had no army. Hitler observed that the League would not act and immediately remilitarised the Rhineland March 1936 — emboldened by the League's failure. Weaker nations realised they could not rely on the League for protection. The Rome-Berlin Axis October 1936 directly resulted from Mussolini moving away from the West.

Why did the League of Nations fail? (IT WAS DUMB)

It Was Weak — powers like sanctions were useless without an army or unanimous agreement. America not a member — the world's richest, most powerful nation never joined; Britain and France couldn't enforce peace alone. Structure problems — decisions had to be unanimous, making the League paralysingly slow. Big bullies — in the 1920s the League dealt with small countries; in the 1930s powerful countries like Germany, Japan and Italy defied it and it couldn't respond. Depression — the economic crisis made countries nationalist and aggressive. Unsuccessful — every failure made the League less credible until everyone ignored it. Members — Italy (Abyssinia) and Japan (Manchuria) were permanent Council members who committed the very aggressions the League failed to stop.

What were Hitler's three main aims when he came to power (January 1933)?

1. Abolish the Treaty of Versailles — Hitler called it a humiliation, called the German leaders who signed it "November Criminals." He was determined to undo every clause. 2. Expand German territory — wanted to reclaim land lost in Versailles, unite all German-speaking peoples (Anschluss with Austria, Sudetenland), and expand eastward into the USSR through Lebensraum (living space). 3. Defeat communism — hated the USSR and Bolsheviks, blamed them for Germany's defeat in WW1 and wanted to destroy communism by expanding German power east.

What was Hitler's remilitarisation programme 1933-36?

October 1933: Hitler withdrew Germany from the League of Nations and the Disarmament Conference — Germany began secret rearmament. 1935: Hitler introduced conscription (banned by Versailles), announced the existence of the Luftwaffe (air force), and held massive military rallies. German army had tripled. Britain and France did not stop him. June 1935: Anglo-German Naval Agreement — Britain agreed to allow Germany a navy 35% the size of Britain's. This broke the military terms of Versailles and ended the Stresa Front. By 1938 the German army stood at 800,000 men (Versailles allowed 100,000).

What was the Saar Plebiscite (1935) and why did it matter?

The Saar was an industrial coalfield region placed under League of Nations control for 15 years by Versailles. In 1935 a plebiscite (public vote) was held — 90% voted to return to Germany. This was entirely legal and gave Hitler a huge morale boost and propaganda victory. It also restored a vital industrial area to Germany. Hitler presented it as proof that German people wanted to be part of his Germany — boosting his confidence for future moves.

What was the Stresa Front (April 1935) and why did it collapse?A coalition of France, Britain and Italy formed at Stresa, Italy in April 1935 to oppose Hitler's rearmament, which violated the Treaty of Versailles. Seemed like a powerful alliance. But it collapsed almost immediately: June 1935 — Britain signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement without telling France or Italy, showing it was willing to accept German rearmament. October 1935 — Italy invaded Abyssinia; France and Britain tried to maintain the anti-Hitler alliance by going soft on Mussolini, which failed, and Mussolini moved towards Hitler instead. By October 1936 the Rome-Berlin Axis was signed.

ACCOUNT CARD — Write an account of how Hitler challenged the Treaty of Versailles 1933-36October 1933: Hitler withdrew from the League and Disarmament Conference and began secret rearmament. 1935: He introduced conscription and announced the Luftwaffe — both banned by Versailles. This was ignored by Britain who signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935, allowing Germany a navy 35% of Britain's size. 1935: The Saar plebiscite returned the industrial Saar to Germany — boosting Hitler's confidence. March 1936: Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland — directly violating both Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. France and Britain did nothing. Each success emboldened Hitler further, showing the policy of appeasement was accelerating his aggression rather than containing it.

What was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland (March 1936)?

March 1936: Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland — directly violating both the Treaty of Versailles (which demilitarised the area to protect France) and the Locarno Treaties (1925) which Germany had voluntarily signed. Hitler secretly ordered his troops to retreat if France responded militarily. France was too weak after WW1 to act alone and Britain did not support military action — they felt Versailles had been too harsh. Hitler got away with it. Historians consider this the last moment he could have been stopped without a major war — France and Britain's failure to act was the turning point that made WW2 inevitable.

What was the Spanish Civil War (1937) and why did it matter?

1937 — Civil war in Spain between fascists (led by General Franco) and communists/republicans. Hitler supported Franco — used the war to test new weapons and tactics. German aircraft (Condor Legion) carried out devastating bombing raids on Spanish cities including Guernica — the world was horrified. Britain and France pursued a policy of non-intervention. Hitler demonstrated the terrifying power of his new military and learned valuable lessons. Showed appeasement was allowing Hitler to develop ever more lethal military capabilities unchallenged.

What was the Anti-Comintern Pact (1936-37) and the Rome-Berlin Axis?

November 1936: Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact — pledging joint opposition to international communism (the USSR). Italy joined November 1937. These three countries became known as the Axis Powers. October 1936: Mussolini and Hitler signed the Rome-Berlin Axis — a formal alliance. Together these agreements created the alliance that would fight the Allies in WW2. They signalled the failure of the League and the Stresa Front and showed the threat Britain and France now faced.

What was the Anschluss (March 1938)?

Hitler's aim to unite Germany and Austria (forbidden by Versailles). 1934: Hitler attempted Anschluss — Mussolini moved troops to the Austrian border to stop him. 1938: After the Anti-Comintern Pact, Italy did not interfere. Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazis to cause trouble. Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg asked Britain and France for help — they refused as they didn't consider this an invasion. A plebiscite was held — the result was 99.75% in favour of union (widely seen as rigged under Nazi intimidation). March 1938 German troops marched into Austria. Britain and France protested verbally but did nothing. Hitler's confidence grew massively.

What was the Sudetenland Crisis (1938)?

After Anschluss, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland — the western part of Czechoslovakia with 3 million German-speakers. He encouraged Sudeten Nazis to demand union with Germany. Czech leader Edvard Beneš asked Britain and France for help. Hitler assured them he only wanted the Sudetenland, not the rest of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain flew to Munich — at the Munich Conference on 29 September 1938, Britain and France gave Hitler the Sudetenland without consulting Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain returned claiming "peace for our time." Churchill called it "a total defeat."

What was the Munich Agreement (September 1938)?

At Munich on 29 September 1938, Chamberlain (Britain) and Daladier (France) met Hitler and Mussolini. They agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland in exchange for his promise not to demand any more territory. Czechoslovakia was not consulted — their country was handed away without their involvement. Hitler signed a declaration promising no further territorial demands. Chamberlain returned to Britain declaring "peace with honour" and "peace for our time." Churchill immediately condemned it — the cartoon shows Chamberlain feeding Hitler another lollipop (appeasement) while Nazi symbols surround him.

What happened to Czechoslovakia in March 1939?

March 1939: Hitler broke the Munich Agreement — his armies occupied Bohemia and Moravia, completing the takeover of Czechoslovakia. He hated the country as it had been created by Versailles and its land would serve his policy of Lebensraum. The Czechs had no resistance — without the Sudetenland's forts, industries and railways they were defenceless. Britain and France finally realised appeasement had failed — Hitler had lied at Munich and had no intention of stopping. Britain gave Poland a guarantee: if Germany attacked Poland, Britain would declare war. But after years of appeasement Hitler didn't believe them.

What was appeasement and why did Britain follow this policy?

Appeasement: the policy of giving Hitler what he demanded to avoid war, pursued by PM Neville Chamberlain 1937-39. Reasons: Hitler was standing up to communism and Britain saw this as useful. USA would not help — Britain couldn't confront Hitler without American support. Many felt Versailles was genuinely unfair — Hitler's demands seemed reasonable. Britain and France were economically weak after the Depression — couldn't afford another war. Military forces were not ready. Vivid memory of WW1's horror — politicians desperately wanted to avoid another war. Britain couldn't be certain of support from its Empire.

What were the arguments for and against appeasement?

FOR appeasement: Bought Britain time to rearm. Hitler's demands seemed reasonable given Versailles was harsh. Avoided another catastrophic war. Churchill may have been wrong — Hitler might have stopped. AGAINST appeasement: Let Hitler grow stronger and more confident. Humiliated Britain — no country in central Europe trusted Britain again. Abandoned millions of people to Nazism. Caused the war by encouraging Hitler to think he could take anything. Gave Hitler the moral high ground. Churchill (1938): "It is a total defeat… Czechoslovakia will be swallowed up by the Nazis. This is only the beginning."

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact (23 August 1939)?A non-aggression treaty signed in Moscow by German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov. Germany and the USSR agreed not to fight each other. Secretly they agreed to divide Poland between them. The world was shocked — fascist Germany and communist USSR appeared to be bitter enemies. Stalin's reasons: The Munich Agreement proved Britain and France would not stand up to Hitler. An alliance with Britain would mean fighting Hitler over Poland immediately. An alliance with Germany would give the USSR time to prepare for the inevitable future war with Germany AND give it half of Poland. Stalin chose self-interest.

ACCOUNT CARD — Write an account of the events leading to WW2 September 1939After seizing Czechoslovakia March 1939, Hitler demanded Danzig and union with Germany from Poland. Britain promised to support Poland if attacked (Anglo-Polish Alliance 25 August 1939). Hitler's key move was the Nazi-Soviet Pact 23 August 1939 — he secured a promise from Stalin not to fight, while secretly agreeing to divide Poland. This meant Hitler could invade Poland without fighting on two fronts. On 1 September 1939 German forces invaded Poland. Britain issued an ultimatum — Germany must withdraw. Hitler ignored it. On 3 September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany. WW2 had begun.

Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact make WW2 inevitable?

Before the Pact, Hitler risked fighting Britain, France and the USSR simultaneously if he invaded Poland. The Pact eliminated the eastern front threat. Stalin calculated: if he allied with Britain he'd immediately fight Germany alone (Britain was far away). Allying with Germany gave him half of Poland and time to build up Soviet forces. Hitler calculated the Pact would deter Britain and France from honouring their guarantee to Poland — he was wrong. Once Poland was invaded, Britain had no choice but to honour the alliance or lose all credibility. The Pact removed the last obstacle to Hitler's invasion of Poland.

Who was most to blame for WW2?

Hitler: Most blame — his aggressive aims, deliberate violation of Versailles, lies at Munich, and invasion of Poland were the direct causes. The League of Nations: Failed to stop aggression in Manchuria and Abyssinia, emboldening Hitler. Britain and France: Appeasement allowed Hitler to grow stronger and convinced him he could take anything. Failure to act at the Rhineland 1936 was the last real chance to stop him cheaply. USA: Absence from the League and isolationism removed the one power that could have enforced collective security. AQA essays often ask you to weigh these factors — Hitler is always the primary cause but you need to develop the others for Grade 9.

What are the key individuals for this topic?

Woodrow Wilson (USA) — idealist who proposed the Fourteen Points and the League of Nations. Georges Clemenceau (France) — "the Tiger," wanted to crush Germany. David Lloyd George (Britain) — realist, feared Versailles was too harsh. Gustav Stresemann (Germany) — Foreign Minister who negotiated Germany's return to the League 1926, signed Locarno Treaties, represented the "spirit of Locarno." Neville Chamberlain (Britain) — PM who pursued appeasement, Munich Agreement. Winston Churchill — warned against Hitler and condemned Munich. Haile Selassie — Emperor of Abyssinia who appealed to the League. Mussolini — Italian dictator, invaded Corfu, Abyssinia, signed Rome-Berlin Axis. Hitler — German Chancellor from January 1933.

What is the key timeline of events 1919-1939?

1919: Treaty of Versailles signed (28 June). 1920: League of Nations created (42 members). 1921: Aaland Islands — League success. 1923: Corfu — League failure. 1924: Dawes Plan. 1925: Locarno Treaties. 1926: Germany joins League. 1928: Kellogg-Briand Pact. 1929: Wall Street Crash. 1931: Japan invades Manchuria. 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor (January), leaves League (October). 1935: Saar plebiscite, Stresa Front, Abyssinia invaded. 1936: Rhineland remilitarised (March), Rome-Berlin Axis (October). 1937: Anti-Comintern Pact, Spanish Civil War. 1938: Anschluss (March), Munich Agreement (September). 1939: Czechoslovakia taken (March), Nazi-Soviet Pact (23 August), Poland invaded (1 September), WW2 declared (3 September).