Outbreak of WWII in Europe — Comprehensive Study Notes

  • After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles imposed sanctions on Germany. The League of Nations lacked enforcement power. Fear of WW1 repetition was widespread.

  • The USSR's rise and fear of Communism were perceived as a greater threat than Hitler’s Germany.

  • Hitler began rearmament in 1933, publicly in 1935, with conscription and an air force.

  • Britain and France adopted appeasement to avoid war and contain German demands.

  • Fear of Communism influenced appeasement more than stopping Hitler.

  • NO-ONE WANTED A REPEAT OF WW1; policies in the late 1930s were shaped to avoid conflict.

The Road to War: Key Dates and Events (1938–1939)

  • 30 Sep 1938: Munich Agreement – Germany annexed the Sudetenland.

  • 31 Mar 1939: Britain promised to defend Poland.

  • 22 May 1939: Italy and Germany signed the Pact of Steel.

  • 23 Aug 1939: Nazi–Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

  • 1 Sep 1939: Germany invaded Poland, starting WWII.

  • 3 Sep 1939: Britain declared war on Germany.

Germany's Strategy in 1939

  • Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia (March 1939) aimed to unite Germans, absorb Czech military, become self-sufficient, and expand territory.

  • Annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938 gave Germany key resources.

Check-in

  • List three reasons why Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia: Territorial expansion, uniting German-speaking peoples, strategic resources and military advantage.

Partition of Czechoslovakia, 1938–1939

  • Sudetenland annexed in 1938.

  • Bohemia and Moravia: German Protectorate in 1939.

  • Slovakia: German puppet state in 1939.

  • Hungary annexed parts of Slovakia and Ruthenia.

  • Partition weakened Czechoslovakia militarily.

  • Maps show territorial changes and Greater Germany formation.

Partition of Czechoslovakia: Consequences

  • 1 Oct 1938: Germany entered the Sudetenland, gaining resources for aggression.

  • Czech military weakened; Britain and France lost an ally.

  • USSR excluded, grew suspicious.

The Munich Agreement and the End of Appeasement

  • Invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 marked the end of appeasement, showing Hitler's wider ambitions.

  • 17 March 1939: Chamberlain distrusted Hitler.

  • 31 March 1939: Chamberlain guaranteed Poland's defense.

The End of Appeasement: Why It Ended

  • Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia showed ambitions beyond German-speaking populations.

  • The invasion shattered belief in appeasement.

What Britain Did When Germany Invaded Czechoslovakia

  • Munich Agreement (1938) allowed Sudetenland annexation.

  • Invasion in March 1939 ended appeasement.

  • Britain pledged to help Poland and prepared for war.

The Polish Corridor and Danzig

  • The Treaty of Versailles gave Germany territories in Poland, including the Polish Corridor.

  • Negotiations for Danzig began in late 1938.

  • Ribbentrop wanted Danzig's return and land links through Poland.

  • Poland rejected demands.

Issues with the British and French Guarantee to Poland

  • Poland had military history since 1918 and a pact with Germany in 1934.

  • Critics questioned supporting Poland over Czechoslovakia.

  • Poland was weaker geographically, raising concerns about assistance.

Pact of Steel (Germany–Italy Alliance)

  • Signed on 22 May 1939.

  • Military and political alliance for mutual support.

  • Mussolini had reservations; the pact increased Soviet threat perception.

  • The Anti-Comintern Pact (1936) existed prior against Communism.

The Pact of Steel: Details and Implications

  • Formalized alliance and war support.

  • Strengthened Hitler’s position and Axis alignment.

NAZI–Soviet Pact (Non-Aggression Pact) and Soviet Reservations

  • Chamberlain distrusted Communist intentions.

  • USSR suspicious of Britain and France; excluded from Munich Agreement.

  • Talks between Britain, France, and Stalin failed.

August 1939: The Soviet Shift toward Germany

  • In August 1939, Britain negotiated with the USSR.

  • Soviet demands to enter Polish or Romanian territory were refused.

  • USSR agreed to a Non-Aggression Pact with Germany on 23 August 1939.

  • This pact enabled Hitler to focus on Poland.

The Nazi–Soviet Pact: Key Provisions and Secrecy

  • Officially a Non-Aggression Pact.

  • Secret clauses allowed the USSR to occupy parts of Poland and Baltic states.

  • Stalin aimed to weaken both sides and buy time for military buildup.

  • The pact shifted power in Europe.

Poland Invaded; War Breaks Out

  • 1 Sep 1939: Germany invaded Poland.

  • Britain and France issued an ultimatum.

  • 3 Sep 1939: Britain declared war on Germany.

  • Hitler miscalculated Britain's war appetite.

The United States: Isolationism in 1939–1940

  • The US stayed out of WWII due to isolationism.

  • Neutrality and domestic focus due to the Great Depression.

  • Public opposed war; Neutrality Acts restricted aid.

  • Invasion of Poland didn't trigger US involvement.

Check-in and Key Questions (Summary Answers)

  • Why was Hitler surprised that Britain would go to war over Poland? Shift from appeasement to defense.

  • Why was Hitler surprised by Britain's declaration of war? Initial appeasement.

  • What did the Pact of Steel mean? Military and political alliance.

  • What did the Nazi–Soviet Pact entail? Non-Aggression Pact, dividing Eastern Europe.

  • Why was the invasion of Czechoslovakia the end of appeasement? Showed Hitler's wider ambitions.

  • What were the essential reasons behind British and French guarantees to Poland? Deter aggression and defend borders.

  • What is meant by appeasement in this context? Concessions to avoid conflict.

Chronology Snapshot (Condensed)

  • 1933: Hitler begins rearmament.

  • 1935: Public rearmament and conscription.

  • 1938: Sudetenland annexation; Munich Agreement.

  • 15 Mar 1939: German troops invade Czechoslovakia.

  • 31 Mar 1939: Britain guarantees Poland’s defense.

  • 22 May 1939: Pact of Steel.

  • 23 Aug 1939: Nazi–Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

  • 1 Sep 1939: Germany invades Poland.

  • 3 Sep 1939: Britain declares war on Germany.

  • 1939–1945: The outbreak of World War II.

Glossary and Key Concepts

  • Appeasement: Concessions to avoid conflict.

  • Non-Aggression Pact: Agreement not to attack.

  • Sudetenland: Part of Czechoslovakia annexed by Germany.

  • Protectorate: Territory under German control.

  • Polish Corridor: Strip of land separating East Prussia from Germany.

  • Danzig (Gdańsk): Free city claimed by Germany.

  • Pact of Steel: Germany-Italy alliance.

  • Nazi–Soviet Pact: Non-Aggression Pact with secret clauses.

  • Neutrality Acts: U.S. laws restricting aid.