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How did the world begin to move to war? Disarmament at last? • Feelings of distrust that started World War I still remained after the war • Nations desired peace and to avoid another war • But, most were unwilling to take logical step towards making that peace – disarming • By 1930, League had made several attempts at disarmament A disunited Europe Rearmament • As early as 1920, Nazi foreign policy aimed at territorial expansion – bound to lead to war • Large amounts of loans to Germany for rebuilding after World War I were used for secret rearming • Democratic powers slower to rearm Protectionism • Countries adopted policy of protectionism Put taxes on foreign imported goods so people would buy goods produced in their own countries If they could not produce certain goods, they formed economic alliances, making exclusive trade links Forming alliances • Various reasons for forming alliances: Genuine desire to help each other Trade privileges Promises to fight together in war or not to fight each other How did Hitler’s foreign policy make things worse? How did Hitler’s foreign policy make things worse? • First Nazi policy document drawn up in 1920 24 points to direct Nazi policy Made clear that if Nazis gained power, German territorial expansion would make war inevitable Wanted control over areas of Europe that had significant population of German speakers Racist party policy: invented ‘pure’ German race, Aryans; all other races inferior How did Hitler’s foreign policy make things worse? Step by step • Nazis took steps to ensure their takeover of Europe Reintroduced conscription Built up armaments Tested strength of their forces in Spanish Civil War • Hitler careful in his dealing with foreign politicians Made Germany’s actions seem reasonable, as a way of putting right the injustices of the Treaty of Versailles Emphasised that Germany did not want war Until Germany was ready, he was prepared to back down if opposed by force The Berlin Olympics: An early warning sign? • Olympics seen as opportunity to show: That Germany was very well-run That stories about anti-Semitism and oppression were exaggerated The supremacy of the Aryan race, by winning many gold medals • Nazis won the most gold medals but black US athletes and Jewish athletes did well too • Hitler congratulated German winners but not winners from races he saw as ‘inferior’ The Berlin Olympics: An early warning sign? Nazi expansion in Europe Appeasement • Appeasement Negotiating with, and making concessions to, another country in order to avoid war • How Hitler got so far without opposition: Many politicians felt the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and German resentment was reasonable Wanted to avoid war by satisfying some German demands • Politicians accepted Hitler’s rearming Anglo-German Naval agreement: limiting German fleet to no more than 35% of British fleet Hitler had no intention to limit German naval strength Appeasement: for and against The Munich Agreement, 1938 • Hitler marched into Czechoslovakia in September 1938 European powers in a dilemma Czechoslovakia – a new nation created by Treaty of Versailles and principle of self-determination Britain, France and League should have moved to protect Czechslovakia but did not Fear of antagonising Hitler • Meetings held in Munich between Germany, Italy, France and Britain Hitler got Sudentenland ‘Promised’ to end his territorial expansion What happened after Munich? • Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939 • Munich Agreement: a torn-up episode Hitler has entered Prague, apparently, and Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist. No balder, bolder departure from the written bond has ever been committed in history. It is beyond understanding and his desertion of the Prime Minister is stunning. His whole policy of appeasement is in ruins. Munich is a torn-up episode. • Britain and France increased speed of their rearmament • Britain also introduced conscription Which side would the USSR support? • USSR had a difficult choice to decide whether to support the Allies or Germany: Neither sides really wanted USSR as they opposed communism However, Britain and France might come to trust USSR Also, they had not yet talked about taking land from USSR On the other hand, Germany had talked about taking land from USSR Which side could USSR trust? If he could not trust either side, which alliance would give him the best short-term advantage? Which side would the USSR support? • USSR held talks with Britain and France • Talks broke off • USSR signed non-aggression pact with Germany A promise not to fight each other Secret term: Germany and USSR would divide Poland between them • Hitler in the best position he could hope for: Need not fight a war to the east and west Britain and France lost a powerful ally Which side would the USSR support? • Events leading up to World War II How did the League of Nations fail to halt the move to war in Europe? How did the League of Nations fail to halt the move to war in Europe? Crisis in Abyssinia • Fascist Italy wanted to build up its empire • Decided to take land near colonies that already belonged to Italy • Abyssinia had borders with two smaller Italian colonies and would be a link uniting them into one large territory Crisis in Abyssinia • When Mussolini invaded in 1935, Abyssinian emperor appealed to League for help • League was faced with a dilemma Italy was clearly in the wrong But, direct confrontation with Italy could lead to war • So, League did little to discourage Italy Imposed sanctions on Italy But failed to decisively place an immediate ban on oil exports to Italy Crisis in Abyssinia • By the time League decided… Italy already annexed large parts of Abyssinia Abyssinian emperor forced into exile • Britain and France held secret talks with Italy The Hoare-Laval Pact Gave Italy two-thirds of Abyssinia • Italy’s success in Abyssinia spelt the League’s failure Failure of League to control Italy (and Japan in 1931) and Britain and France, meant it lost all respect and effectiveness The Spanish Civil War • As Spain slid towards civil war in September 1936, the government appealed to the League for help Asked for weapons to ‘defend our territorial integrity and political independence’ • League could not reach agreement about what to do: Did not send weapons Could not get government and rebels to negotiate Did not stop member countries from intervening on both sides What happened in Europe during World War II? What happened in Europe during World War II? Timelines showing: • Advance of Axis Powers in Europe till 1942 • The Allies reclaiming power in Europe from 1941 to 1945 Why did the Allies win the war in Europe? • Superior strength of the Allies • Axis tactical mistakes • Allied tactical successes • Allied control of air and sea • Resistance movements • Britain’s resilience Summary