In-Depth Notes on the Interwar Period and Lead-up to WWII

Contextual Background of World Wars

• First World War (WWI) was unprecedented in its scale of destruction and widely viewed as the "War to End All Wars."
• No one desired another war of such magnitude following WWI, but WWII occurred only two decades later.
• Debate on the correlation between WWI and WWII:
  • Scholarly debate whether a direct or indirect link exists between the two wars.

Causal Links Between WWI and WWII

• Spider Web Metaphor: WWI as the hub; strands emanating from it are various events that led to WWII.
• Treaty of Versailles: Viewed as a harsh peace settlement that contributed to the conditions leading to WWII.
• Failed Nationalist Hopes: Ethnic groups felt their hopes for self-determination were unfulfilled post-WWI, contributing to tensions.
• Weak Democratic States: The belief that democracy would prevail post-WWI was misguided; many new democratic regimes were politically fragile.
• Powerless League of Nations: Created to prevent future conflicts, it failed to take significant action against aggressors.

Contrasting Perspectives on the Wars

• Connection Argument: Proponents highlight connections like retribution from the Treaty of Versailles and economic instability.
• Separation Argument: Others maintain that the wars represented fundamentally different conflicts:
  • Different Objectives: WWII was fueled by totalitarian regimes seeking aggressive expansion unlike the imperial monarchies of WWI.
  • Technological Advancements: WWII featured new military technologies (e.g., tanks, aircraft, atomic bombs) that defined its nature of warfare.

Similarity Between WWI and WWII

• Germany's Hegemonic Aspirations: Both wars revolved around whether the Allies would allow Germany to dominate Europe.
  • In WWI, Allied powers formed alliances to counteract the rising threat of Germany.
  • In WWII, the threat was amplified as Germany sought to create a continental empire under a totalitarian regime.

Prelude to WWII (1933-1939)

• Focus on events leading to WWII, transitioning from WWI's direct causes.
• Precise historical lessons from the 1930s that highlight aggressive expansionist behavior by totalitarian regimes.
• Western democracies' miscalculations in responding to aggression intensified the road to WWII.

Hitler's Goals for the Third Reich

• Rejection of Secondary Status: Hitler rejected the notion of Germany as a secondary power imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
• Expansionist Aims: Sought to build a continental empire, akin to historical figures like Napoleon and Charlemagne.
• National Self-Determination: Aimed to unify all ethnic Germans under the Third Reich after territorial losses from WWI.
• Destruction of Judeo-Bolshevism: Envisioned the eradication of communism and expansion into Eastern territories for living space ( Lebensraum).

Challenges for Hitler

• Treaty of Versailles Enforcement & League of Nations: Both were crucial for preventing German aggression but were weak and ineffective.
• The unstable alliance between Britain and France made it difficult to counteract Hitler’s aggressive moves effectively.

Early Actions by Hitler (1933-1935)

• Withdrawal from League of Nations (Oct 1933): Aimed at testing the resolve of global powers without suffering consequences.
• Rearmed Germany (Mar 1935): Violated the disarmament provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, reinstating conscription and increasing military strength.

Italy and Ethiopia (1935)

• Mussolini’s Ambitions: Desire to expand Italy’s empire by invading Ethiopia (one of the few African nations to remain independent).
• League of Nations' Ineffectiveness: The League could only impose limited sanctions that lacked enforcement ability, further emboldening fascist aggressions.

Impact of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

• Spanish Civil War was seen as a precursor to WWII; involved ideological battles between fascism and democracy (involving communism).
• Role of Germany and Italy: Hitler and Mussolini supported the Nationalists led by Francisco Franco, reflecting the early use of modern weaponry in conflict.
• Republican Support: The Republicans, backed by various international brigades, represented anti-fascist elements, receiving aid from Stalin's Soviet Union.
• Consequences: The Spanish Civil War signified a crucial ideological struggle, revealing aggressive tactics like aerial bombardment of civilians.
• Result: Franco’s victory established a fascist regime, further incentivizing totalitarian movements in Europe, setting the stage for WWII.

Conclusion

• Understanding the dynamics and events leading to WWII offers vital lessons about the nature of power, dictatorship, and the collective international response to aggression.