Appeasement is central to understanding World War II, particularly in Europe.
It refers to the policy of Western allies, especially Britain, in dealing with Hitler's Germany.
Many Europeans believed post-WWI grievances, particularly concerning the Treaty of Versailles, justified some of Germany's demands.
Historical Context
Treaty of Versailles (1919) created harsh penalties for Germany, leading to widespread resentment.
Many believed these conditions fueled nationalism, contributing to Hitler's rise to power.
It was not obvious to contemporaries how aggressive Hitler truly was; his rhetoric often dismissed as mere national pride.
British foreign secretary Lord Halifax suggested in 1937 that Germany sought its rightful place in Europe.
Events Leading to WWII
October 1933: Germany leaves the League of Nations.
Although viewed as ineffective, this departure was seen as a troubling sign of aggression.
March 1935: Germany announces plans to rearm, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
March 1936: German troops are sent into the Rhineland; France does not respond.
March 1938: Germany annexes Austria (Anschluss).
September 1938: Germany demands the Sudetenland, a German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia.
Many perceived this action as excessive; the Munich Agreement followed.
October 1938: Germany annexes the Sudetenland after the Munich Conference between Chamberlain and Hitler.
March 1939: Germany captures the rest of Czechoslovakia.
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war - this marks the end of appeasement.
German Motivations
Hitler's goals:
Reverse what were seen as the unjust terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Expand German living space (Lebensraum) into Eastern Europe, particularly targeting territories home to Slavic populations (e.g., Poland and Russia).
Justification rooted in racial ideology; Slavs portrayed as inferior.
Reactions of the Allies
Both Great Britain and France remember the horrors of WWI and are reluctant to confront Hitler militarily.
Distrust towards the Soviet Union also played a role.
Soviets seek alliances against fascism, but Western democracies hesitate, fearing communism as a greater threat.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
August 1939: Non-aggression pact between the Nazis and the Soviets (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). This pact allowed both nations to invade countries in Eastern Europe with less concern about opposing forces.
Nazis invade Poland, while Soviets occupy the Baltic states.
Early War Progression
1940: Nazis swiftly conquer Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
June 1940: Fall of France, establishing a puppet government under Marshal Pétain (Vichy France).
Britain, the last standing power in Europe, faces the Nazi threat alone.
The Blitz and Battle of Britain
Summer 1940: Germany launches an aerial bombing campaign (the Blitz) against Britain but fails to secure a decisive victory.
Britain withstands the Blitz, gaining morale that contributes to the eventual postponement of a German invasion.
Operation Barbarossa
June 1941: Germany breaks the non-aggression pact and invades the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa.
Focused on brutal warfare, targeting not just military but also civilian populations, leading to immense casualties and destruction.
By late 1941, Germany had advanced significantly into Soviet territory, laying siege to major cities like Moscow and Leningrad.
Conclusion
The initial stages of WWII were marked by rapid territorial gains by Germany, fueled by aggressive policies and inadequate responses from other powers, leading to a geopolitical landscape dominated by totalitarian regimes.