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CAUSES OF WORLD WAR TWO WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN EUROPE? To what extent was peace-making, the Great Depression and the failure of the League to blame or was it just Hitler’s Foreign Policy? Cause one The Peace Treaties 1919 - 23 FACTORS: ‘Peace is 100 times more difficult to make than war’. Louis Botha Differing aims of the main peacemakers: Orlando, Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George Agreements, Disagreements, Compromises Conditions in Europe A harsh peace would serve as a deterrent THE TERMS: How and Why did they contribute to WW2? Were they…………….. Just or unjust? Fair or unfair? What problems did they create? Issue of self determination never solved Diktat treaty Financial problems for Europe and Germany Military terms seen as unfair Feelings of revenge Immediately after the Treaty… Hitler’s vow to reverse the “humiliation” of Versailles, e.g. Clause 160 (Disarmament) and 231 (War Guilt) Division between those who wanted to implement terms of treaties and those who wanted to amend them in the inter war years. Left Germany too strong Contemporary views: ‘It is not surprising that they made a bad peace: what is surprising is that they managed to make peace at all’ – Gilbert White ‘This is not a peace, it is an armistice for twenty years’. Foch But there was recovery… Dawes Plan Locarno Germany joins the League Kellogg-Briand Young Plan Hitler was in the wilderness So…..by 1929 there appeared to be no chance of War? How important was it? But then……… The Great Depression and the Causes of World War II 1929-1939 The Crash of 1929 Major selling of stocks in Wall Street Prices of stocks collapsed People defaulted on loans Major bank failures Sources of capital vanished Stock Market crash in Wall Street October 29, 1929 The Great Depression Massive shutdown of businesses Massive unemployment in US, Europe, and elsewhere Economic collapse threatened payments of reparations No American capital to fuel European economic growth Britain Coalition government formed under Labour, (National Government) Conservative, and Liberal parties 2.5 million unemployed by 1931 France Affected France in 1931 Rise of right-wing groups Socialists in power in 1936 Germany Depression weakened support for the Weimar Republic Mainstream politicians unable to provide solutions Torn between Communists and Nazis Middle class afraid of communist takeover Germany Elections held in 1932 Nazis won 37% of the seats in Reichstag Hitler appointed Chancellor on January 30, 1933 Had support of big business Seen as having solutions to economic problems Campaigned on getting rid of the Versailles Treaty Germany Hitler’s Economic Policies Tax breaks for families To encourage women to have children Paid vacations Heavy government spending on public works to eliminate unemployment The Autobahn Military rearmament Italy • When Depression hits, Mussolini looks to expand Italy and create an Empire to distract attention from problems at home…………..leads to….. • Abyssinia Japan • Cannot cope with break down in trade • Over populated • Short of raw materials • Expand military • Look to take ‘colonies’……. • Manchuria Causes of World War II • Hitler begins to scrap Versailles after 1933 – Rearms Germany past limits permitted by Versailles •Builds up army past 100,000 troops •Builds up air force – Hitler remilitarizes the Rhineland in 1936 So the Great Depression was a cause of WWII because…. It led to the failure of the League International trade broke down Countries turned inwards Countries began to rearm Aggressive foreign polices were followed Brought Hitler to power The League fails from 1931 1929 Wall Street Crash! This is MAJOR turning point for the league: *Many members of the League were now focussed on solving domestic problems. *The crash created a depression in Europe causing unemployment and poverty. Dictators rose to power as they promised a solution to problems. These were new problems for the League to face *Had a major effect on Japan who relied heavily on international trade. This would eventually contribute towards the invasion of Manchuria The 1930s… Were BAD for the League: *The 1930s are always seen as bad for the league by comparison with the 1920s. Remember this for exam questions that ask about both *There were three huge failures for the League in the 1930s: 1. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria 2. The failure of the disarmament conference 3. The invasion of Abyssinia by Italy Failure #1: Manchuria There was an explosion on the Manchurian railway that ran though China. The Japanese depended on this railway to transport goods into their country, whose natural resources and agriculture were limited by their mountainous terrain. The Japanese invaded China on the grounds that it needed to safeguard its railway. However, they later also bombed Shanghai •China appealed to the League for help and the League ruled that the Japanese should return Manchuria to Chinese rule. •But Japan continued to invade new areas of China •The League discussed sanctions but its member were not prepared to send troops to enforce its decision… Failure 2: The Disarmament conference 1932-3 In February 1932 the League of Nations began the longawaited disarmament conference. It produced resolutions to limit the size of artillery and tanks, ban the bombing of civilians and chemical warfare. HOWEVER, nothing was agreed upon as to how they would enforce these limits. They were also unsure as to what to do about Germanyshould all countries disarm to her level or should Germany be allowed to re-arm to the new universal lower level as the TOV had been too harsh? With no peace keeping organisation left to enforce collective security…Hitler and Mussolini embarked on aggressive foreign policies which would eventually lead to war The steps to war 1936 - 39 Civil War in Spain Re-occupation of the Rhineland Anschluss with Austria Sudetenland crisis Hitler takes over rest of Czechoslovakia Italy joins Hitler in Axis Nazi-Soviet Pact Germany invades Poland The Road to War 1933-1939 Hitler’s Foreign Policy Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy was written in his autobiography Mein Kampf HITLER’S FOREIGN POLICY AIMS Revising Versailles - nationalist Imperial – Reich Lebensraum Racial Destroy Communism Personal Glory Autarky War Hitler’s Foreign Policy was built on three aims To reverse the Treaty of Versailles To create a “Greater Germany” by uniting all German speaking people The creation of Lebensraum - living space for the German people. The Treaty Of Versailles The German Army was limited to 100,000 men Germany had to pay reparations to the allies Germany had to accept the War Guilt Clause (231) Germany lost 13% of its territories and all her colonies LEBENSRAUM Hitler’s Greater Germany would have a population of over 85 million people Germany’s land would be insufficient to feed this many people Hitler intended to expand eastward towards Poland and Russia Russians and Poles were Slavs-Hitler believed them to be inferior and so Germany was entitled to take their land. Creation of a Greater Germany Hitler wanted a single homeland for all German speaking people After Versailles millions of Germans were living in Foreign countries The Treaty of Versailles had forbidden the union of Germany and Austria- The Anschluss 1933 Germany refused to pay any more reparations Germany walked out of the Disarmament conference July 1934 Austria Attempt at ANSCHLUSS fails. Austrian Nazis had assassinated Chancellor DOLFUSS. Mussolini rushes troops to the Brenner frontier and the attempt at Anschluss (Union) fails. Hitler disclaims any responsibility. JANUARY 1935 PLEBISCITE IN THE SAAR (as laid down at Versailles). 90 per cent in FAVOUR of joining Germany. Propaganda triumph for Hitler Specialists' Diagnosis Germany Rearms 1934-5 Soldiers: 1932 100,000 1939 950,000 Warships: 1932 30 1939 95 Aircraft: 1932 36 1939 8250 Conscription re-introduced March 1935 Direct challenge to the Allies as breaking Versailles Allies responded with the Stresa Front Mutual assistance pacts signed with Russia and the Czechs (Stresa pact: short term pact with Italy, GB and France aimed to curb Hitler: collapsed due to HL pact in Dec 1935 and undermined by AGNT) • It is the world’s response to this that will determine whether a second war will start Anglo German Naval Agreement June 1935 Germany could build up her naval fleet to 35 per cent of that of Britain. 45 per cent for submarines Seemed as if GB was condoning German rearmament Broke the Stresa Front (formed to condemn German rearmament) between Italy, France, GB. Mussolini Invades Abyssinia 1935 Italy’s leader, Mussolini, sent his army into Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia) The Abyssinians with spears were no match for Mussolini’s tanks Britain and France criticized Mussolini but he got away with it Nazi propaganda of the weakness of Germany, surrounded by belligerent and strong neighbors , circa mid30’s. Rhineland Remilitarized 1936 Effects of rearmament and reoccupation Germany builds a line of forts along the Rhine. Hitler justifies his actions by citing the 1935 Soviet France alliance which broke the terms of Locarno and he offers non aggression pacts. Germany could now protect the great industrial area of the Ruhr. France now had German troops right on its border. Smaller powers now saw that collective security was of no use to them. Hitler was encouraged to take more chances even although “the 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve racking in my life” – thus was it a wild gamble?. Britain and France now began to think about rearmament. Actually Broke Versailles and Locarno Spanish Civil War 1936-39 Hitler and Mussolini send warplanes to Franco (above) in his war against the Communists in Spain Why was this a cause of WWII? Pages 51 to 52 The Rome-Berlin Axis 1936 The Spanish Civil War bought Hitler and Mussolini together. They agreed on a friendship pact, the Axis. Causes of World War II • Appeasement – British came to the conclusion that Treaty of Versailles was unfair • Put off by French demands for revenge • Believed that treating Germany fairly would bring a lasting peace – France goes along with Britain • Could not stand alone • Tries to make alliances with new countries in Eastern and Central Europe • Builds Maginot Line Causes of World War II • Hitler redraws Germany’s borders – Austria (1938) •A small republic after World War I •Hitler wanted to unite all Germans (Anschluss) •Hitler joins Austria to Germany on March 1938 Anschluss Austria Taken Over 1938 German troops Entered Austria in March 1938. 99% of the Austrian people voted to join Germany Czech Crisis 1938 • Czechoslovakia – Democracy that emerged after World War I – Large German minority in Sudetenland • Hitler really wanted forts along German border – Hitler wants to annex Sudetenland – What will Britain and France do? APPEASEMENT: VISITS 1938 3 visits in 1 month! Berchtesgaden – Sept 15 Bad Godesberg – Sept 22 Munich – Sept 29: German troops to occupy Sudetenland Claims of Poland and Hungary on Czhech. Territory should be met Britain and France would protect what was left of Czechslovakia Causes of World War II • Munich Conference – British, French, Italian, and German leaders meet to decide Sudetenland question – Czechoslovakia not allowed to participate – British Prime Minister Chamberlain agrees to let Hitler have Sudetenland • Hitler promises not to take any more territory • Chamberlain “brings peace for our time” The Munich Pact 1938 Chamberlain, Hitler and Mussolini met in Munich and agreed to give Sudetenland to Hitler Results of Appeasement • • • • • • The rest of Czechoslovakia weakened Skoda Arms Works lost Would Britain and France now act over Poland? Gave GB and France time to prepare for war. Known now that Hitler cannot be trusted. France’s allies – Poland, Yugoslavia and Rumania – lost confidence in France and tried to improve relations with Germany. Russia now believes that Britain and France could not be relied upon. Appeasement …As simple as ABC • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Avoid war/Approval Britain was weak Communism Democracy/Diplomacy Empire France German propaganda made it seem as if Germans were being repressed in Austria, Sudetenland and Danzig Home Front Ist World War lessons/Isolationism on part of the USA Justice – Versailles unfair on Germany Kost/kinder League Mutual lack of confidence /Morality Neville Chamberlain misjudged Hitler Out of sight out of mind – e.g. Olympics Politcal instability in France/Peace movement Quit taking over places – Czech would be Hitler’s last territorial claim in Europe Rearmament would be necessary Spanish Civil War horrors Treaties at the end of WW1 – unjust, unfair USSR menace Victory unlikely? Why go to war Xcess deaths from la total world war need to be avoided Young people (class of 1940) ZZZZZZZZZZ "My good friends, for the second time in our history a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.“ -Prime Minister Chamberlain Soviet poster showing the betrayal of Czechoslovakia by capitalist powers to the fascist wolf. Czechoslovakia wiped off the map 1939 In March 1939 German troops entered Czechoslovakia LANDMARKS OF APPEASEMENT 1933-Germany leave the L of N - start to rearm in secret 1935-Anglo-German Naval Agreement, Abyssinian Crisis, German announces conscription. 1936- Remilitarization of the Rhineland 1938 (March) Anschluss 1938 (Sept) Sudetenland crisis and the Munich agreement 1939- Germany take over the rest of Czechoslovakia 1939 Britain and France abandon appeasement and guarantee to defend Poland BRITAIN AND APPEASEMENT Most politicians wanted to avoid war The people of Britain wanted to avoid war Britain had only a small army and airforce Many people thought of the Sudetenland in the same way they had about Austria Winston Churchill did not agree but he was in a minority. Causes of World War II • Hitler sets his sights on Poland – Polish Corridor separates province of East Prussia from Germany – Hitler wants to rejoin East Prussia with Germany – Britain and France make agreements with Poland – Hitler thought Britain and France would cave in again Nazi-Soviet Pact 23 August 1939 BACKGROUND • Stalin had been very worried about German threats to the Soviet Union since Hitler came to power in 1933 • Hitler had openly stated that he wanted Soviet land for his Lebensraum • Stalin tried to create alliances with Britain and France but to no avail • In 1934 Stalin took the USSR into the League of Nations as a guarantee against German aggression. The League Of Nations • Stalin gained no satisfaction from the League. Instead he saw failures • Abyssinia • Spanish Civil War • German rearmament Britain and France • Britain: • Some welcomed a strong Germany as a force to fight Communism. • Communism was seen as a bigger threat than Hitler • France: • Stalin signed a pact with France in 1935 • He did not trust the French to keep to it- especially after Rhineland The Munich Agreement • This agreement made Stalin even more wary • Stalin was not consulted about the agreement • Stalin concluded that Britain and France were powerless to stop Hitler • Or that they were happy for Hitler to take over Eastern Europe and the USSR The Next Moves • Despite misgivings Stalin was still prepared to talk to Britain and France about an alliance • The three countries met in March 1939 • Chamberlain was reluctant to commit Britain • Stalin believed that Britain and France made things worse by guaranteeing to defend Poland if it were attacked • Chamberlain saw the guarantee as a warning to Hitler • Stalin saw it as support for a potential enemy. A Twist in the tale! • Negotiations continued between Britain, France and the USSR throughout Spring and Summer 1939. • Stalin, however, was also getting visits from Nazi foreign minister Ribbentrop to discuss a Nazi-Soviet pact The deed is done! • On 24 August 1939 Stalin made his decision and signed a pact with Germany • The world was shocked as two arch enemies promised not to attack each other. Why did Stalin sign the pact? • Stalin was not convinced that Britain and France would be strong and reliable allies against Hitler • He also wanted large parts of eastern Poland • He did not believe that Hitler would keep his word. He wanted time to build up his forces. TERMS August 23rd (8 days before war) • Avoid war on two fronts • Time to get ready for war and rebuild the Red • • • • Army; effects of Stalin’s Purges (S) outwit Britain (H) Secret Protocols allowed for territorial gains: Partitioning of Poland (both) Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania parts of Rumania to Stalin Economic aspects Effects……..? Hitler Invades Poland 1 September 1939 Blitzkrieg= lightning war Britain Declares War 3 September 1939 Britain and France promised to defend Poland from attack German troops crossed the Polish border on 1 Sept 1939. Chamberlain gave Hitler 48 hours to withdraw At 11 a.m. on 3 Sept. Chamberlain declared war on Germany Conclusion • The legacy of Versailles was huge and there was • • • • • • simmering resentment in Europe. Temp buried by the prosperity of the 1920s. The Great Depression affects Europe and the United States The Great Depression causes countries to look at other alternatives The Great Depression leads to rise of Hitler and the Nazis Hitler scrapped the Treaty of Versailles British appease Hitler in hopes of getting him to cooperate Hitler breaks his promises and begins World War II