Road to War: 1931 - 1939

Road to War: 1931 - 1939

Timeline of Events Leading to WWII

  • 1931: Japan invades Manchuria, marking the start of aggressive expansion in Asia.

  • 1933: Germany re-arms, explicitly violating the Treaty of Versailles.

  • 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia, signaling European powers' aggressive foreign policies.

  • 1936: Germany reoccupies the Rhineland, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

  • 1937: Japan launches a full-scale war against China.

  • March 1938: Germany occupies Austria in an event known as the 'Anschluss.'

  • September 1938: The Munich Agreement permits Hitler to seize the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.

  • October 1938: Hitler and Mussolini form the Axis Pact, agreeing to divide Europe.

  • March 1939: Hitler invades the remaining territories of Czechoslovakia.

  • August 1939: Germany and the USSR enter a non-aggression pact, setting the stage for the invasion of Poland.

  • 1 September 1939: Germany invades Poland, effectively commencing World War II.

International Reactions to Aggression

  • 3 September 1939: Britain and France declare war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland.

Analysis of the 1930s: The Climate of Appeasement

  • The decade of the 1930s was marked by the global distraction caused by the Great Depression.

  • Major powers, including Britain, failed to respond effectively to the aggressions of Japan, Italy, and Germany.

  • League of Nations' Failure: The League of Nations was ineffectual in promoting peace or addressing acts of aggression.

  • Policy of Appeasement:

    • Defined as giving in to the demands of an enemy to prevent war.

    • This strategy was widely employed, especially by leaders like British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Important Questions About the Road to War

  • What constituted the most pivotal event leading up to the onset of World War II?

    • Was there a critical juncture when Western leaders could have acted against Hitler, or was the outbreak of war unavoidable?

Notable Perspectives from Key Figures

  • Harold Nicholson, British Diplomat:

    • Expressed dismay over the violation of the League's Covenant by Hitler regarding the Rhineland seizure, signaling a significant diplomatic defeat.

    • Quote: "The Covenant of the League of Nations has been violated…We shall therefore have to climb down…"

  • Adolf Hitler on Munich Strategy:

    • Affirmed a strategy based on perpetual dissatisfaction to gain leverage.

    • Quote: "We must always demand so much that we can never be satisfied."

  • Neville Chamberlain post-Munich Conference:

    • Proclaimed the agreement achieved 'peace for our time', encouraging the public to feel secure.

    • Quote: "I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

  • Winston Churchill on the Munich Agreement:

    • Strongly criticized the agreement, predicting a dire outcome for Czechoslovakia and foreshadowing further aggressions.

    • Quote: "It is a total defeat. Czechoslovakia will be swallowed up by the Nazis…"

  • Adolf Hitler, addressing his generals before Poland's invasion:

    • Expressed confidence in his triumph over his enemies, reflecting his aggressive military ambitions.

    • Quote: "Our enemies are little worms…Now Poland is in the position I wanted."

Reflective Questions for Consideration

  1. In your opinion, what was the most important event on the road to war? Do you think war was inevitable? Provide justifications for your answer.

  2. If you were Prime Minister Chamberlain, at which point would you have chosen to confront Hitler or any other aggressive dictator during the 1930s? Elucidate your reasoning.