Crisis and Conflict Chapter 4: War in Europe An Enquiry Approach to Modern World History Secondary 3

Crisis and Crisis and ConflictConflict

Chapter 4: Chapter 4: War in EuropeWar in Europe

An Enquiry Approach to Modern World HistoryAn Enquiry Approach to Modern World History

Secondary 3Secondary 3

In a nutshellIn a nutshell

After World War I (1914-18), there was a widespread desire to avoid another war.

Many efforts were made to establish international peace. Nevertheless, World War II (1939-45) broke out.

Who was to blame?

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Crisis and Conflict: War in Europe Copyright 2006

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Date Event What happened

1933 League of Nations

Hitler leaves the League of Nations.

1935 Rearmament Hitler increases the size of the German army to half a million members. Britain, France and Italy do nothing.

1935 Anglo-German Naval Treaty

Britain helps Germany break the Treaty of Versailles by signing an agreement to allow Germany a navy one-third of the size of Britain's.

1936 Rhineland German troops re-occupy the Rhineland. They are given orders to retreat if France offers any resistance. France does nothing.

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1937 Anti-Comintern Pact

Alliance of Germany, Japan and Italy against communism

1938 Anschluss Hitler occupies Austria. First, Hitler encourages the Austrian Nazis to demand a union with Germany. Then he invades when the Austrian chancellor announces a vote to see what Austrians want. After the German invasion, 99 per cent of Austrians vote "Ja". Britain and France do nothing.

1938 Sudetenland Hitler bullies France and Britain into giving him the Sudetenland.

1939 Czechoslovakia Hitler invades Czechoslovakia and takes control.

1939 Poland Hitler invades Poland and provokes the Second World War.

Causes of WW2Causes of WW2

1.1. Hitler’s foreign policy and actionsHitler’s foreign policy and actions

2.2. Failures of League of NationsFailures of League of Nations

3.3. AppeasementAppeasement

4.4. Nazi-Soviet PactNazi-Soviet Pact

5.5. Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland

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Why was peace threatened in the 1930s?

(part 1)

What were the immediate causes of World War II in

Europe? (part 2)

Events in the 1930s that made Europe a less peaceful place

and war a greater possibility Events in 1939 that triggered the war

Causes of War in EuropeCauses of War in Europe

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Hitler’s foreign policy Hitler’s foreign policy and actionsand actions

Once Hitler came to power in Once Hitler came to power in 19331933, he , he pursued a very pursued a very aggressiveaggressive foreign policy foreign policy that that threatenedthreatened the peace in Europe the peace in Europe..

His foreign policy aims included: His foreign policy aims included:

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The Treaty was The Treaty was unfairunfair as it was designed to keep as it was designed to keep Germany Germany weakweak..

Hitler wanted to make the Hitler wanted to make the militarymilitary strong and regain the strong and regain the landland that was lost. that was lost.

To achieve this, he had to break the terms of the Treaty.To achieve this, he had to break the terms of the Treaty.

1. To break the Treaty of Versailles

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E.g.1 Rearmament

In 1933, Hitler pulled Germany out of the In 1933, Hitler pulled Germany out of the League of League of NationsNations and began and began rearmingrearming Germany. Germany.

In 1935, Hitler increased the size of the army to In 1935, Hitler increased the size of the army to 550,000550,000 men, and reintroduced men, and reintroduced conscriptionconscription for all for all male citizens. Production of male citizens. Production of armsarms such as battle such as battle planes and warships also increased sharplyplanes and warships also increased sharply ..

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Aggressive rearmament: In 1933, Hitler announced that he was increasing the size of the army from 100 000 to 300 000 men. In 1935, he increased the size of the army to 550 000 men.

Illustration showing rearmament in Germany during the 1930s. What Illustration showing rearmament in Germany during the 1930s. What does it tell you about the changes in Germany at that time? does it tell you about the changes in Germany at that time?

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Conscription: Hitler reintroduced compulsory military service for all male citizens in 1935.

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E.g.2 Remilitarization of the Rhineland Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland in March

1936. This broke the Treaty of Versailles. It was a bluff

– the German army was not ready for war and had orders to retreat if they met any resistance. But, Britain and France did nothing..

Link 1 (why destroying Versailles was important to

Hitler) By destroying Versailles, Hitler was able to By destroying Versailles, Hitler was able to

make Germany a strong military power make Germany a strong military power again.again.

This would strengthen the defense of This would strengthen the defense of Germany, and restore her prestige and Germany, and restore her prestige and reputation in the world community.reputation in the world community.

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Link 2 (why breaking Versailles led to outbreak of war)

Thus, Hitler’s policy to destroy TOV Thus, Hitler’s policy to destroy TOV threaten the stability of Europe and forced threaten the stability of Europe and forced other countries to rearm and get ready for other countries to rearm and get ready for war.war.

This increased tension between Germany This increased tension between Germany and her neighbours, making war more and her neighbours, making war more likely. likely.

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Hitler wanted to create a Greater Germany uniting all Hitler wanted to create a Greater Germany uniting all lands containing German-speaking people, esp. Austria. lands containing German-speaking people, esp. Austria.

• Hitler also felt that Germany’s growing population Hitler also felt that Germany’s growing population needed more needed more lebensraumlebensraum or living space or living space. So he had to . So he had to get the land by conquering get the land by conquering countries in countries in eastern Europeeastern Europe such as such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and RussiaPoland, Czechoslovakia and Russia..

• He believed that the He believed that the Aryan raceAryan race was was genetically superiorgenetically superior and destined to rule over others. So Germany had the and destined to rule over others. So Germany had the right to invade eastern Europe and make the right to invade eastern Europe and make the Slav Slav peoplespeoples (such as the Poles and the Russians) their (such as the Poles and the Russians) their slaves. slaves.

2. To expand German territory

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2. To expand German territory

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Hitler wanted Austria to Hitler wanted Austria to uniteunite with Germany with Germany although the Treaty of Versailles forbade a although the Treaty of Versailles forbade a political unionpolitical union (or (or AnschlussAnschluss in German) between in German) between these two countries.these two countries.

Hitler encouraged the Hitler encouraged the Nazi PartyNazi Party in Austria to stir in Austria to stir up trouble for the government.up trouble for the government.

E.g.1 Anschluss

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In March 1938, German troops marched across the In March 1938, German troops marched across the border into Austria.border into Austria.

Austrian Chancellor Austrian Chancellor SchuschniggSchuschnigg was pressured to was pressured to resign.resign.

The The League of NationsLeague of Nations protested but took no protested but took no action.action.

E.g.1 Anschluss

In Sep 1938, Hitler bullied France and Britain into giving him the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia, in order to protect the German-speaking people living there.

In March 1939, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and took control.

In Sep 1939: Hitler invaded Poland and provoked the Second World War

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E.g.2 Invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland

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Link 1 (why expanding German territory was important to Hitler)

When the German territory was expanded, it meant that Germany had more resources, which would boost the Germany economy, and it increased Germany’s prestige among other nations.

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Link 2 (why expanding German territory led to

war) Expanding German territory increased

hostility among the other nations because their peace and security was threatened by Germany and thus it led to war.

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Summary of Hitler’s Summary of Hitler’s actions/ aimsactions/ aims

1935 - Rearmament (Destroy TOV)1935 - Rearmament (Destroy TOV) 1936 - Remilitarization of the Rhineland (Destroy TOV) 1936 - Remilitarization of the Rhineland (Destroy TOV) 1938 - 1938 - AnschlussAnschluss with Austria (Expand territory – create with Austria (Expand territory – create

a Greater Germany) a Greater Germany) 1938 - The occupation of the Sudetenland (Expand 1938 - The occupation of the Sudetenland (Expand

territory – create a Greater Germany) territory – create a Greater Germany) 1939 - The invasion of Czechoslovakia (Expand territory 1939 - The invasion of Czechoslovakia (Expand territory

– Lebensraum) – Lebensraum) 1939 - The invasion of Poland (Expand territory – 1939 - The invasion of Poland (Expand territory –

Lebensraum) Lebensraum)

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3. To fight Communism

Hitler Hitler hatedhated Communist ideology and wanted to conquer Communist ideology and wanted to conquer Soviet UnionSoviet Union to destroy Communism. to destroy Communism.

E.g. Hitler blamed the Communists for Germany's defeat in E.g. Hitler blamed the Communists for Germany's defeat in World War OneWorld War One, and he feared that the Communists were , and he feared that the Communists were trying to take over Germany.trying to take over Germany.

Also, the Also, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union had vast lands and Hitler believed that had vast lands and Hitler believed that the superior German race would be able to farm the land the superior German race would be able to farm the land better than the “better than the “inferior people of the Eastinferior people of the East””

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Link 1 (why defeating communism was important

to Hitler) Prove supremacy of Nazism over

Communism and enhance prestige of Hitler over Stalin

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Link 2 (why defeating communism led to war)

Not needed

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Failure of the League of Failure of the League of NationsNations

• The League of Nations was too weak to maintain peace in the 1930s

a. Failure to stop aggression by major powers

b. Failure to make countries disarm

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a. Failure to stop aggression

E.g. E.g. Abyssinian CrisisAbyssinian Crisis (1935-36): (1935-36): MussoliniMussolini wanted to wanted to increase Italian influence in Abyssinia and made plans to increase Italian influence in Abyssinia and made plans to invade it. Abyssinia asked the League of Nations for help.invade it. Abyssinia asked the League of Nations for help.

The League had a long debate before deciding to ban the The League had a long debate before deciding to ban the sale of sale of rubber and metalrubber and metal to Italy. But this was not fully to Italy. But this was not fully implemented as no country wanted a war with Italy and implemented as no country wanted a war with Italy and there were fears that any ban would also affect their own there were fears that any ban would also affect their own economies.economies.

As a result, Italy completed its As a result, Italy completed its takeovertakeover of Abyssinia in May of Abyssinia in May 1936 without opposition to its 1936 without opposition to its aggressionaggression..

Impact?Impact?

League’s failure to stop aggression made League’s failure to stop aggression made it look weak and powerless. It became it look weak and powerless. It became clear that if a strong nation was prepared clear that if a strong nation was prepared to go against the League, the League to go against the League, the League could do nothing about it.could do nothing about it.

This encouraged aggression from This encouraged aggression from ambitious countries like Nazi Germany ambitious countries like Nazi Germany and threatened international peaceand threatened international peace

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The League tried but failed to encourage countries to disarm.The League tried but failed to encourage countries to disarm.

E.g.1 1932 E.g.1 1932 Disarmament ConferenceDisarmament Conference. Countries like . Countries like FranceFrance refused to disarm out of fear of Germany. Hitler declared that if refused to disarm out of fear of Germany. Hitler declared that if other countries did not disarm, then Germany had the right to other countries did not disarm, then Germany had the right to build up its armed forces. So Hitler pulled out of Conference build up its armed forces. So Hitler pulled out of Conference and began and began rearming Germanyrearming Germany..

E.g.2 E.g.2 Anglo-German Naval Treaty 1935Anglo-German Naval Treaty 1935. Britain helped . Britain helped Germany break the Treaty of Versailles by signing an Germany break the Treaty of Versailles by signing an agreement that allowed Germany to build a navy agreement that allowed Germany to build a navy one-thirdone-third of of the size of Britain's Navy.the size of Britain's Navy.

b. Failure to carry out disarmament

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Impact?Impact?

League’s failure over disarmament led to League’s failure over disarmament led to arms race in Europe and increased arms race in Europe and increased hostility between countries, making war hostility between countries, making war more likely.more likely.

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By the mid 1930s, the members of the League of Nations By the mid 1930s, the members of the League of Nations no longer believed that it could protect countries that were no longer believed that it could protect countries that were being attacked.being attacked.

Efforts at collective security had failed.Efforts at collective security had failed.

The League officially ended in 1946.The League officially ended in 1946.

The League of Nations was too weak to maintain peace in the 1930s

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The League of Nations was too weak to maintain peace in the 1930s

Which one of these reasons do you think illustrates the Which one of these reasons do you think illustrates the League’s greatest weakness?League’s greatest weakness?

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Reasons for failure of League of Nations to maintain peace in 1930s

Self-interest of leading members like Britain and France neither was prepared to abandon their self-interest in times of crisis to support the League. E.g. Anglo-German Naval Treaty, Hoare-Laval Pact

Absence of leading countries like USA, the richest and most powerful country in the world. Impact?

Ineffective punishments: moral condemnation and economic sanctions did not work

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Reasons for failure of League of Nations to maintain peace in 1930s

Lack of army: could not protect countries from attack

Decisions were slow: the League met too infrequently and took too long to make decisions. This paralyzed the League, making it difficult to act decisively in a crisis.

Treaty of Versailles was seen as too harsh: made some countries unwilling to resist Hitler when he started to break the terms of the Treaty

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The policy of appeasement

One main reason for the failure of One main reason for the failure of collective securitycollective security was the policy was the policy of appeasement.of appeasement.

Appeasement means the practice Appeasement means the practice of of avoidingavoiding war by giving in to the war by giving in to the aggressiveaggressive demands made by a demands made by a country.country.

Neville Chamberlain, the British Neville Chamberlain, the British PM most closely associated PM most closely associated with appeasement.with appeasement.

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Reasons for adopting policy of appeasement

To buy timeBritain hoped appeasementwould give it some time tomodernize its armies. TheGerman army on the other handhad been growing steadily.

Lack of US supportUS policy of isolation meant that Britainand France were left to face the threat ofGermany alone.

Economic problemsThe British economy had beendamaged by World War I andGreat Depression. Its efforts atrebuilding its economy wouldbe destroyed by another war.

Memories of World War IBritain was keen to avoid anotherwar that would cause millions oflives.

Fear of CommunismMost Britons felt that a strong Germanywould prevent the spread of Communism,which to them was a greater threat.

Attitudes towards the Treaty of VersaillesMost Britons felt that the Treaty had been too harsh on Germany.

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How appeasement worked The The Sudetenland CrisisSudetenland Crisis of 1938 is the key example of of 1938 is the key example of

appeasement in actionappeasement in action. . Three million Germans were living in the Sudetenland Three million Germans were living in the Sudetenland

area, near the Western borders of area, near the Western borders of CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia. . In 1938, Hitler encouraged In 1938, Hitler encouraged Germans in Sudetenland Germans in Sudetenland to to

demand a demand a union with Hitler's Germanyunion with Hitler's Germany. The Czech . The Czech government refused. Hitler threatened wargovernment refused. Hitler threatened war..

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The Munich Agreement

Anxious to avoid war, British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain made three trips to speak to Hitler.

First visit: Hitler threatened to go to war with

Czechoslovakia if the Sudetenland was not given to Germany.

Chamberlain was so keen to avoid war that he agreed to see what concessions he could persuade the Czech government to make.

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Second visit:Second visit: Chamberlain offered to transfer to Germany all those parts of Chamberlain offered to transfer to Germany all those parts of

Sudetenland where more than fifty per cent of the inhabitants Sudetenland where more than fifty per cent of the inhabitants were German.were German.

Hitler however threatened to go to war again if Sudetenland Hitler however threatened to go to war again if Sudetenland was not transferred to Germany immediately.was not transferred to Germany immediately.

Third visit:Third visit: Final meeting, Munich, 29 SepFinal meeting, Munich, 29 Sep Signing of Signing of Munich AgreementMunich Agreement: without asking Czechoslovakia : without asking Czechoslovakia

- Britain and France - Britain and France gavegave the Sudetenland to Germany the Sudetenland to Germany ..

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For Hitler, this was a great triumph as he made important For Hitler, this was a great triumph as he made important

territorial gains without fightingterritorial gains without fighting..

In fact it only served to encourage him further.In fact it only served to encourage him further.

For Chamberlain, this seemed like proof that appeasement For Chamberlain, this seemed like proof that appeasement worked.worked.

For the Czechs, it was a great disaster and the first step For the Czechs, it was a great disaster and the first step towards their annihilation.towards their annihilation.

The Munich Agreement

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Effect of appeasementEffect of appeasement

Appeasement encouraged Hitler to become more aggressive and take over more countries as he knew that Britain and France were unwilling to stop him.

This increasing aggression would threaten the peace and stability in Europe, making war more likely.

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A cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard newspaper in July 1936.

Hitler goose-steps across the ‘spineless leaders of democracy’ towards his goal: ’Boss of the Universe’. The first 3 steps are labelled ‘Rearmament’, ‘Rhineland’ and ‘Danzig’.

What is the message of this cartoon?

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Interpretation:

• thumbing one’s nose: a sign of contempt.

• goose-step: German army march – growth of German military

• spineless leaders of democracy: leaders of western democracies giving way to Hitler

• Rhineland, Rearmament: examples of appeasement

Message

Author is warning that Hitler needed to be confronted, or he would continue trying to take over more countries.

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A Hitler is A Hitler is THE LIARTHE LIAR“The Sudetenland is the last problem that must be solved and it will be solved. It is the last claim which I have to make in Europe. The aims of our foreign policy are limited. We only want to save the German people. Ten million Germans have been living outside the frontiers of the Reich. These were Germans who wanted to return to the Reich as their homeland.”

Hitler making a speech in 1938

In March 1939, Hitler went back on his promises and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, which are not occupied by German speaking people.

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Britain endedthe policy of appeasement

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression

Pact

Hitler’s invasion of

Poland

What were the immediate What were the immediate causes of World War II in causes of World War II in

Europe?Europe?

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end of appeasement

Britain and France had been Britain and France had been rearmingrearming for some time in the for some time in the event that appeasement fails.event that appeasement fails.

The German invasion of The German invasion of CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia in March 1939 in March 1939 finally convinced them that Hitler finally convinced them that Hitler could not be trustedcould not be trusted..

More aggressive action was needed to deal with Hitler.More aggressive action was needed to deal with Hitler.

Poland looked likely to be the next victim. Hitler wanted to Poland looked likely to be the next victim. Hitler wanted to reunite East Prussia with Germany by taking the reunite East Prussia with Germany by taking the Polish Polish CorridorCorridor..

In March 1939, Britain and France signed an agreement In March 1939, Britain and France signed an agreement with Poland promising to go to its aid if Germany was to with Poland promising to go to its aid if Germany was to invade.invade.

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The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Hitler’s next target was Poland, particularly Hitler’s next target was Poland, particularly

the Polish corridor and Danzig.the Polish corridor and Danzig. But he was wary of the possible interference from the But he was wary of the possible interference from the

USSR.USSR. Stalin was wary of German aggression, but attempts Stalin was wary of German aggression, but attempts

to reach a deal with Britain and France failed.to reach a deal with Britain and France failed.

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The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

On 23 August 1939, Germany and USSR signed the On 23 August 1939, Germany and USSR signed the Nazi-Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression PactSoviet Non-Aggression Pact. .

Terms of the Pact: Terms of the Pact:

The USSR was to stay The USSR was to stay neutralneutral in any war between Germany in any war between Germany and Poland.and Poland.

Secret clause: Both agreed to Secret clause: Both agreed to dividedivide Poland between them. Poland between them.

Germany took Germany took western Polandwestern Poland, while the USSR took , while the USSR took eastern eastern PolandPoland that it had lost at the end of World War I. that it had lost at the end of World War I.

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The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

The world was amazed by this alliance of The world was amazed by this alliance of enemiesenemies. Why . Why did Stalin sign?did Stalin sign?

Stalin did not believe Hitler would keep his word, but he Stalin did not believe Hitler would keep his word, but he needed time to needed time to build upbuild up his forces against his forces against future German future German attackattack. .

Stalin would have to go to war if he allied with Britain and Stalin would have to go to war if he allied with Britain and France, but could have half of Poland without a war if he France, but could have half of Poland without a war if he allied with Hitler.allied with Hitler.

It was a marriage of It was a marriage of convenienceconvenience, until Hitler broke his , until Hitler broke his promise and invaded Russia in promise and invaded Russia in 19411941..

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The Nazi-Soviet pact allowed Hitler to risk a war with The Nazi-Soviet pact allowed Hitler to risk a war with Britain and France, knowing that he did not have to fight Britain and France, knowing that he did not have to fight the Russians in the Eastern Front at the same time. the Russians in the Eastern Front at the same time.

As such, this pact released Hitler to attack Poland in As such, this pact released Hitler to attack Poland in 1939, leading to the outbreak of WW2.1939, leading to the outbreak of WW2.

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Impact of the Nazi-Soviet Pact

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Source 17, p.166Source 17, p.166

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Hitler’s invasion of Poland The The Nazi-Soviet pactNazi-Soviet pact cleared the way for cleared the way for

Germany’s invasion of Poland.Germany’s invasion of Poland. On On 1 Sep 19391 Sep 1939, Germany invaded Poland , Germany invaded Poland

from the west. Hitler was confident Britain from the west. Hitler was confident Britain and France would continue their policy of and France would continue their policy of appeasementappeasement..

This time Britain and France kept their This time Britain and France kept their promisepromise to Poland and declared war on to Poland and declared war on Germany.Germany.

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Effect of invasion of PolandEffect of invasion of Poland

By invading Poland, Hitler had taken one By invading Poland, Hitler had taken one gamble too many and forced Britain and gamble too many and forced Britain and France to stand up to Hitler. So the France to stand up to Hitler. So the invasion of Poland was the trigger that invasion of Poland was the trigger that sparked off WW2.sparked off WW2.

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Causes of World War II in Europe

Hitler’s foreignpolicy

Economic problems

AppeasementFailure of the

League of Nations

to stop aggression

by other countries Ways World War II could have been avoided

A fairer Treatyof Versailles?

Join forces withthe USSR?

Fight Hitler while he was still

weak?

Support collectivesecurity in

the League?

to stop rearmament

SummarySummary

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Crisis and Conflict Chapter 4: War in Europe An Enquiry Approach to Modern World History Secondary 3