Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Advice on Tackling Paper 1 What is Paper 1 Is a source-base paper Lasts 1 hour Worth 20% of the assessment Aims of the participants and peacemakers: Wilson and the Fourteen Points 2. Terms of the Paris Peace Treaties 1919-20 1. Versailles St Germain Trianon Neuilly Sevres Lusanne 1923 The geopolitical and economic impact of the treaties on Europe; the establishment and impact of the mandate system 4. Enforcement of the provisions of the treaties: US isolationism – the retreat from the Anglo-American Guarantee; disarmament –Washington, London, Geneva conferences 5. The League of Nations: effects of the absence of major powers; the principle of collective responsibility and early attempts at peacekeeping (1920-25) 3. The Ruhr Crisis (1923); Locarno and the Locarno Spring (1925) 7. Depression and threats to international peace and collective security: Manchuria (1931-3) and Abyssinia (1935-6) 6. What type of sources will be included on the examination paper? The will be either primary or a mixture of primary and secondary They may consist of Written sources letters, text of a speech, extracts from books Visual sources paintings, cartoons, photos, diagrams and statistical information The number of sources will be 5 Question 1 Asks you to explain in your own words the message of one of the sources or selected parts of it, e.g. ‘according to Source A, why did...?’ It is a comprehension question Question 1 will be subdivided into a part (a) and a part (b) It is worth 5 marks One part will be 2 marks the other 3 Question 2 Asks you to compare and contrast the views expressed by two sources, e.g. ‘compare and contrast the views expressed in Source A and Source C and the reasons why...’ Worth 6 marks Asks you to asses the value and limitations of two sources with reference to the sources’ origins and purpose, e.g. ‘With reference to their origins and purpose asses the value and limitation of Sources B and D to an historian studying the Locarno Treaty.’ Worth 6 marks Asks you to use your own knowledge and the sources to construct an argument in answer to a question about the prescribed subject, e.g. ‘Using the sources and your own knowledge, analyse the results of the Ruhr Crisis’ Worth 8 marks Advice on answering the questions Write in complete sentences Use the mark allocation for each question to determine how long you spend on each question. Rough guide 10 min on question 1 15 min one each of questions 2 & 3 20 min for questions 4 Judge each source on its merits or weaknesses; avoid generalizations e.g. ‘Source A is a secondary source and so it is unreliable because the author will not know how exactly what happened.’ Also because it is bias does not mean it is of no use to an historian e.g. ‘A poster produced by German nationalists about the Versailles Treaty might not provide the historian with objective information about the terms of the treaty but it might tell us something very useful about the sort of image of the treaty that German nationalists wanted to project to the world.’ Question 1 you need to remember to use just the source not your own knowledge. Examiners are testing your understanding of the source. Keep direct quotations from the passage brief and avoid quoting back whole chunks of the passage. If you need to make longer references to the text, paraphrase. In general based on the marking scheme you receive 1 mark for each valid point made; ensure that your explanation is clear and reasonably full Question 2 (6 marks) Only 2 sources Is a comparison do not forget to indicate both points of similarity and points of differences between the sources. This question is intended for you to show your application and interpretation of the sources. Question 3 (6 marks) Keep focused on the sources’ origins – who produced them, when were they produced purpose – why and for whom were they produced Ensure that you identify both the sources’ values and limitations otherwise you will be unable to score more than half marks for your answer. Value – what the sources are useful for, linked to their origins and purpose Limitation – what aspects of the issue referred to in the question the sources do not tell us about, and , the extent to which the sources may not be reliable or accurate, linked to their origins and purpose. The question is intended for you to show your synthesis and evaluation of the sources. Question 4 (8marks) Examiners will expect you to produce a mini essay. Be sure to use both your knowledge and the sources otherwise you can only receive ½ marks. For the sake of time you may find it more effective to integrate the sources and your own knowledge, rather than running through what the sources have to contribute and then using your own knowledge. Peacemaking, Peacekeeping International Relations 1918 - 1936 THE AIM OF THE PARTICIPATING PEACEMAKERS WARTIME AGREEMENTS Treaty of London 1915 Britain and France agreed that Italy should receive South Tyrol Secret pact Italy leave the Triple Alliance and joint the Triple Entente This area included a large number of German-speaking citizens Treaty nullified by the T of V Tyrol (or Tirol) is a state in the western part of Austria The McMahon Declaration 1915 British High Commissioner in Cairo Promises British support for Arab independence if the Arabs rose up against Turkish rule. Accepted by the Palestinians. Cannot by purely Arab Two schools of thought at the end of the war. Promised to the Arabs or support to Jewish homeland. Saudi Arabia The Sykes-Picot Agreement 1916 Britain and France reach an understanding about the Middle East. They define their spheres of influence following the end of the war. Aims Britain would dominate Mesopotamia France would control Syria. Palestine would come under an international administration Belfour Declaration1917 Arthur Belford (foreign secretary) supported the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. http://www.bradfordstopwar.org.uk/olderstuff/gaza/factsheet.html THE AIMS OF THE BIG FOUR BIG FOUR Vittorio Orlando of Italy Woodrow Wilson of the United States David Lloyd George of Britain 24 Georges Clemenceau of France What were the objectives of the French and British governments at the Treaty of Versailles? French Objectives National Security / Disarmament •Remove the threat from German military power •Demand the return of Alsace-Lorraine •Demanded annexation of the Rhineland region but accepted it be neutralized creating a demilitarized zone •Germany prohibited from placing troops within 50km of the east bank of the Rhine River •Allied forces would occupy the west bank for 50 years •Immediate military assistance from Britain and the United States 25 •Reduction in the size of the army to 100 000 men FINANCIAL REPARATIONS • • • • • Financial compensation for the losses incurred from the war Northern France destroyed in German occupation Reconstruction of mines, railways, farmland that was destroyed by the Germans and the rigors of war France awarded coal rights to Germany’s Saar Valley until 1935 Demand for full reparations of war damages by Germany 52% of the $30+ billion dollar bill for the war 30-year limit of the repayment 26 BRITISH OBJECTIVES Security • • • • of sea-lanes to its colonies Reduce the German navy to 6 warships, no submarines Redistribution of German colonies to the Allies Return all territory it had occupied during the war. Self-government for the nations of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the nonTurkish people of the Ottoman Empire. 27 BRITISH / FRENCH REACTION USA Woodrow Wilson 14 points Idealistic Base on assessment of his reasons why war had broken out. War should be to “make the world safe for democracy” Britain & France’s attitude to the Wilson’s 14 points Uncertain and unhappy Clemenceau sceptical about the effectiveness of the L of N (to idealistic) only god had 10 commandments. Lloyd George hostile to point 2 Accepted the 14 points for fear of the USA making separate peace with Germany which Wilson threatened in Oct. 1918. ITALY Agreed to enter the war as an allie of GR & France on the premises that it would receive territory in the Ottoman Empire and share in Germany's colonies Dodecanese Islands, Trentino, South Tyrol, Istria Against the guidelines of Wilson’s 14 points TERMS OF THE PARIS PEACE TREATIES 1919-1920 The treaty of Versailles was an attempt to establish a framework for settling the war and restoring European peace. HOW DID THE BIG THREE DISAGREE OVER GERMANY’S TREATMENT? USA Wilson emphasis on the need to balance punishment due to aggression with redemption and maintaining a stable Germany that would play a part in peace time Europe. G.B. & France determined to see Germany permanently weakened. George pressed for a tough line of particular issues ie. Reparations, but he did see a need for moderation. Wilson recognised that Poland needed access to the Baltic and so agreed that West Prussia and Posen should be awarded to Poland and the Port of Danzig should become a free city. Contravening his principle of national self-determination ANGLO-AMERICAN GUARANTEE FOR FRANCE France willing to make concessions (Rhineland) USA & G.B. Agree to protect to guarantee military supporting if Germany was to attack Never ratified by the USA, thus G.B. would not give French the support they expected. THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES WITH GERMANY JUNE 1919 Diktat treaty un-fair “dictated peace” Location and manners were staged to humiliate Germany 1871 German unification Hall of Mirrors. German representatives brought before the allies like prisoners in a dock. Territory lost: THE TERMS Lost 13% of her European Territory Lost of territory meant loss of resources > 10% loss of industrial capacity Lost 48% of iron ore capacity Alsace-Loraine to France West Prussia and Posen to Poland North Schleswig to Denmark Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium Danzig was designated an international city, with Poland give the right to use its port facilities The Saar was placed un L of N control for 15 yrs. French to control the coalmines for 15 yrs. Plebiscite was to be held in 15 yrs. To determine its final sovereignty Upper Silesia war partitioned with the poles who got 2/3 of the mines. Lost colonies: Africa, China and the Pacific handed over to the victors as Mandates. Namibia under control of South Africa Tanganyika controlled by Britain Togoland & Cameroons controlled by Britain and France Rwanda controlled by Belgium Article 231 War Guilt & Reparations Accepting responsibility for the damage Germany had done to the countries she attacked French and British In debt to USA > insisting repayment Germany to pay the sum of 132 billion gold marks Paid in regular instalments gold, coal, pig iron telegraph poles Military restrictions Army limited to 100,000 volunteers General staff abolished No air force 6 battleships No submarines, tanks or heavy artillery Surrender of entire battle fleet of warships Permanent demilitarization of the Rhine land (50km), occupation by allied forces for 15 years. Impact Political: Bread lasting resentment • Newly created states were politically and economically unstable • Unable to be deterrent to Germany • Large groups of German minorities were spread though the new states Territorial: Can be argued that territorial boundary decisions continue to remain a source of contention and conflict. E.g. Balkans • It partitioned central Europe in a group of small unstable political units • promoted ultra-nationalism • held minorities within its borders which helped to promote instability. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS Was a compromise between the proposals of Wilson, Lloyd George and Clemenceau. THE TREATY OF ST. GERMAIN: WITH AUSTRIA (SEPT. 1919) Austro-Hungarian Empire had already split up St. Germain recognizes this Austria argues it’s treated as a new state rather than a successor to the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Subject to the same range of punishments handed out to Germany Except war guild reparations Limits to its armed forces 30,000 Bohemia and Moravia went to Czechoslovakia Damatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina went to Yugoslavia ---- cause of tension Istria, the Trentino and South Tyrol went to Italy Galicia went to Poland Bukovina went to Romania Population reduced from 22 to 6.5 million Lost most of its former industrial areas 1/3 German-speaking population now belong to successor states other than Austria. THE TREATY OF NEUILLY WITH BULGARIA (NOV. 1919) Required to pay reparations Armed forces limited to 20,000 men Western Thrace goes to Greece Northern Macedonia went to Yugoslavia Dobrudja went to Romania THE TREATY OF TRIANON WITH HUNGARY (JUNE 1920) Hungary was treated as the successor to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Obligated to accept reparations Limited armed forces 35000 men Loss of territory to new successor states Slovakia and Ruthenia went to Czechoslovakia Croatia and Slovenia went to Yugoslavia Transylvania went to Romania Burgenland went to Austria Population was reduced from 21 mill. To 7.5 mill Hungarians were now apart of neighbouring countries Majority of raw materials lay in territories ceded to its neighbours. 1920-30’s Foreign policy focused on desire to revise the treaty & re-unite Hungarians Czech., Yugo. & Rom Create the Little Entente 1920-21 – feared Hungary Isolationism forced Hungary to signed a friendship treaty with Mussolini 1927 TREATY OF SEVRES: WITH TURKEY (1919) Dardanelles placed under an international commission & permanently open to all countries ships, Lost all rights to the Sudan and Libya Had to recognise French Morocco and Tunis, British Egypt and Cyprus Saudi Arabia became independent Syria, Mesopotamian (Iraq) & Palestine became L of N mandates administered by France & Britain Greece received some Turkish Aegean islands Kurdistan became autonomous Armenia became independent TREATY OF LAUSANNE (1923) Sevres altered Nationalist revolt and war against Greece led by Mustapha Kemal Paris Peace settlement was an uneasy compromise between the Big Three. Crucial issues Wilson’s failure to ratify the T of V and no military guarantee for France. Geopolitical impact on Germany Weimar Republic tarnished by association with the T of V Created a strong nationalist movement in Germany Felt they could have fought on. Stabbed in the back by cowardly democratic politicians Historians are divided over the T of V Germany needed to remember that it could have fared worse. If Clemenceau had it his way. Britain & USA tempered France Rhineland – independent state Saarland annexed to France Danzig integral part of Poland Germany imposed much harsher peace terms on Russia in 1918 – Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Russia ordered to give up vast territories to Germany. If you see your enemy in the water up to his neck, you will do well to push him under, but if he is only in it up to his knees, you will do well to help him to the shore. Political writer Machiavelli Treaty Of Versailles Constituted a dangerous halfway house between generous (help him to shore) and harsh (pushing him under) treatment. Created resentment 1920’s committed to recovering land in the east. Gustav Stresemann (foreign minister) willing to recognized German western borders (Locarno Pact 1925) see handout British perusal of a policy of appeasement could be partly due to a feeling the T of V was to harsh Economic impact on Germany Destabilized the German economy---struggling at the end of • • • • • • the war Reparation did not allow Germany to focus on rebuilding its economy as quickly as it could have Germany couldn’t pay Fell behind in payments Lead to loss of public support for the Weimer Republic Lead to hyper inflation 1923 Raising taxes is a solution rather than printing money German Colonies 49 Economic impact Dislocation of an integrated economic unit Limited economic resources Weakened each state Geopolitical impact on Central & Eastern Europe Territories held under German control (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) become independent countries Austrian-Hungary / Turkish empires dismantled Destroyed the old balance of power that existed Creation of successor states unable to stand up to the aggression of up-coming leaders in Russia and Germany Border disputes and issues of ethnic tensions minorities were created Czechoslovakia comprised of 6 separate racial groups included were 3 million Germans. Turkey had regained territory lost in the treaty of Sevres this demonstrated that Britain & France were unwilling to defend the Paris Peace settlements. Italy after war --- angry that territory that was promised to them at the end of the war went to Yugoslavia Treaty of Rapallo Germany and USSR are outcasts Trade and financial cooperation Germany able to test military Cooperate against Poland The Establishment and the impact of the mandate system • The process by which the L.G. administered the • • • • colonies of the defeated central powers after WW1 Idea was to help them to become self-sufficient and politically independent. G.B. & France received the bulk of the Ottoman Empire G.B. & Japan administering the Pacific Empire of Germany G.B., France, South Africa received mandates over Germany’s African processions Types of Mandates • Class A - close to self-governance (immediate independence) • Class B - considerable support required in political and social issues (eventual independence) • Class C – lacking any necessary sense of developed & annexed by the mandate state. (perpetual colonial status) WHAT WERE THE PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE TREATIES? Germany resentment Failure of the USA to join USA retreated into isolationism USSR remained isolated Italy angered over results after the war Japan not interested in European affairs WHY WAS GB RELUCTANT TO DEFEND THE PARIS PEACE SETTLEMENT? Focused on maintaining their colonial empire Independence movements Financial indebtedness Financial and military strength were in weak British public and politicians reluctant WHAT WAS FRANCE’S STANCE? Failure to secure a military alliance with USA an GB Ruhr occupation was an embarrassment Germany failed to comply Consider a collaborative approach Locarno honeymoon (common boundaries & an invite into the L of G) Still anxious built the Maginot Line Meuse river in the Ardennes 59 60 61 62 63 64 TREATY COUNTRIES INTENT (TERMS) RESULT Washington Treaties •USA •GB • Japan • Italy • France •Promote security & peace Treaty of Rapallo 1922 Germany Russian Diplomatic & economic cooperation •German economic support •Access to Russian for military maneuvers •Violation of the treaty of Versailles •Ends isolation of Germany Locarno Pact 1925 International cooperation Germany France Belgium British Italian Czech Poland •Mutual defence pacts against German aggression •Guaranteed the common boundaries of Belgium, France, and Germany •Agreed to change the eastern boundaries of Germany (arbitration) •Germany allowed into the League of Nations 1926 •Demilitarize the Rhineland 1930 •Repudiated the Pact 1936 & sent troops in the Rhineland Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 Pact of Paris Peace Building 15 countries 62 total •Renounce war as a national policy •USA right to defense – no obligation to participate in stopping nations that broke the treaty. •Illusion of security, no plan to deal with aggression •Japan – Manchuria 1931 •Italy – Abyssinia 1935 •Germany – Poland •Legal basis for Crimes against peace •Nuremburg trials USA, France G.B, Italy France •Froze the number of capital ships nations could build for 10 years •Discontent by they those not receiving equitable limits •Maintain American superiority •5 USA /GB - 3 Japan - 1.75 Italy & France •Discontent over equitable limits Treaty Countries Intent Four Power Pact USA, Britain, Japan, France A treaty of mutual consultation among its members in the event of territorial disputes in the Far East The Little Entente Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia, Romania A treaty to resist territorial expansion by the former members of the AustroHungarian Empire US ISOLATIONISM THE RETREAT FROM THE ANGLO-AMERICAN GUARANTEE USA refused to honour Wilsons pledge of military guarantee for France Refuse to sign the T of V Not committed to act as the world police Article 10 promise to defend others boarders and independence in conscience not in law. Wilson would not accept modifications DISARMAMENT Washington Conference 1921-22 London Naval Conferences 1930 35-36 Extension of W.C. London Naval Conferences 1935-36 Prevented an naval arms race End of British naval domination USSR not invited Japan wants parity – walks out Geneva Disarmament Conference 1932-34 Germany wants parity with France France smaller population German industrial capacity Cast-iron guarantees over inspection and verification Hitler withdraws – France's refusal of parity. Gave Hitler what he had been hoping for felt free to rearm openly 1933 withdrew from the L of V What were the league’s aims? Promote international co-operation To end war by promoting disarmament How as the League structure? Council Met 3-4 time a year 5 original permanent members France, Britain Italy, Japan USA USA never joined Italy & Japan withdrew Germany & USSR came and went Assembly Met once a year 42 countries grew to 55 by 1924 Decisions One vote Departments International court of Justice International labour organization Abolish social and economic injustice was successful in this area. The Principle of collective security League members to respect and preserve as against external aggression Arbitration International court of Justice Diplomatic pressure Suspension of trade Armed force to prevent a war Problems No way to compel a nation to submit to any method. Not required to accept any decision reached Economic sanctions tried once (Italy) No army and no police force No mechanism for raising peacekeeping force Absents of great powers Weakness is League’s structure Meeting were infrequent Unanimous vote required in both the assembly and the council Early attempts at peacekeeping (1920 – 1925) EARLY SUCCESSES Aaland Islands 1920-21 They had traditionally belonged to Finland but most of the islanders wanted to be governed by Sweden. given to Finland Mosul (kurdistan)1923-24 Dispute between Turkey and Iraq. Turkey accepted that it should remain part of Iraq. Greek-Bulgarian Clash 1925 Helped avert a Balkan war between Greece and Bulgarian Fined Greece for a border attach on Bulgarian successful plebiscites social successes simply informing the world at large that these problems did exist and that they should be tackled improve the status of women child slave labour ,drug addiction and drug smuggling dig fresh water wells, the Health Organisation started a campaign to wipe out leprosy. This idea - of wiping out from the world a disease - was taken up by the United Nations with its smallpox campaign. EARLY FAILURES Poland's seizure of Vilna (1920) Fighting between Poland and Lithuania over Vilna (Lithuania’s capital) Russo-Polish War (1920-21) Attempt by Russia to export it’s civil war Poland was a bridge to western Europe Conflict was subdued for 20 years, no successful culmination Greek-Turkish War (1920-230 Turkey went to war with Greece over the treaty of Sevres. Unable to bring about a settlement --- revised the settlement at Lausanne 1923 The Corfu incident (1923) Italy occupied Corfu – general murdered by Greek bandits Greeks appeal to league Italy required to leave, Greeks paid indemnity Characterized by defaulting payments by the Germans, international discussions regarding reparations and French intervention. Ruhr produced 80% of Germany’s steel & 70 % of its coal. French troops enter the Ruhr 1923 Germany engage in passive resistance Germany suffers from the burden of reparations and international isolation France suffers from international isolation and economy is threatened by burdens of Ruhr occupation Dawes Plan 1924 Accepted by all Germany receive an initial loan of 200 million from USA and other foreign countries Didn’t alter the total reparations to be paid but rescheduled them 1 billion gold marks in the first year, increasing to 2.5 from the 5th year on. German taxes and bonds earmarked to pay for reparations if Germany failed to follow through French to evacuate the Ruhr within a year LOCARNO AND THE LOCARNO SPRING (1925) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Following the Ruhr Crises and Dawes plan Gustav Stresemann (Foreign. Min.) proposes a security pact with Britain and France. Saw a pact as a way to obtain revisions to the T of V --Polish boarders, Rhineland Terms Guaranteed the common boundaries of Belgium, France and Germany Agreed to change the eastern boundaries of Germany (arbitration) Results Confirmed the T of V Germany treaty as an equal again rather than a criminal International co-operation –evacuation of part of the Rhineland USSR / German agreement to remain neutral in the event of an attack by a 3rd party http://nigelgraves.co.uk/history/intrel.htm ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS THAT SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT OF LOCARNO Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 (Pact of Paris) Peace Building USA, France, G.B, Italy ,France Intent Renounce war as a national policy USA right to defense – no obligation to participate in stopping nations that broke the treaty. Result Illusion of security, no plan to deal with aggression Japan – Manchuria 1931 Italy – Abyssinia 1935 Germany – Poland Legal basis for Crimes against peace Nuremburg trials Young Plan (1929) Intent / Results Reduction of reparations by 11 billion gold marks To pay annually until 1988 Additional foreign loan to Germany of $ 300 million All allied troops to be withdrawn from the Rhineland Hitler campaigned against the plan Plan never got off the ground ---wall street crash Lausanne Conference (1932) Intent / results Suspend reparations for 3 years Reduce reparation to a final bill of 3 billion marks (2% of the original amt. in 1921) Hitler gains power in 33 and reneges on payments. THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY Protectionism Nations reacting by implementing tariff barriers against imported goods. World trade fell by 2/3rd between 1929 -32 By 1938 trade was only 40% of 1929 era Impact on Germany Fragile economy Dependent on US loans Hitler’s rise to power would result in challenges to the Paris Peace settlements and the pacts. HITLER’S FOREIGN POLICY AIMS • • • • • Nazis promised prosperity & employment, & gave people someone to blame for their problems – politicians, communists, Jews Appealed to nationalism – promised to rebuild a strong Germany. Hitler was a superb politician and speaker – appealed to emotions rather than reason. Told people what they wanted to hear. Masterful use of propaganda to make their points and political violence to disrupt opponents. Offered striking alternative to Weimar government – • • • 1. 2. strength versus weakness decisiveness versus caution, order versus chaos Four chief aims underlay Hitler’s foreign policy To extend Nazism into more areas of Germany He planned to defy and revise the terms and the spirit of Versailles 3. 4. Reunion with the Saar (1935) Reintroduction of conscription and rearmament (1935) Anglo –German Naval convention (1935) allowing Germany to have a navy with 35% of the size of Brittan's Re-militarizing the Rhineland (1936) He intended to unite all German-speaking peoples of central Europe into a greater Reich. He wanted to make conquests in the east to provide Lebensraum. IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON JAPAN Until 1931 co-operated with the west Washington naval treaty Permanent member in the L of N Close trading partners with the USA & Europe Wall St. Crash created an economic crisis in Japan lead to a change in Foreign Policy and an undermining of the political system by the military. Dependence on exports of silk farmers blamed the government for the drop in price by 80% Military turned their back on co-operation with the West and China Imperialism seen as the way out of economic difficulties Embarked on a aggression challenge, china 1937, IndoChina 1940, Pearl Harbour 1941 IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON ITALY No different than anywhere else 2000 000 unemployed Wage cuts to workers Agriculture dropped between 20-40% in the 30’s Citizen see Mussolini as a weak leader Mussolini's foreign policy becomes more aggressive Invasion of Abyssinia seen as a way to revive support for his government IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON GREAT BRITAIN Links between the depression and appeasement Britain faced with the prospects of a variety of challenges to its interests and to the international order. Hitler, Italy, Japan were all becoming more aggressive Growing unrest in Britain’s Empire made it difficult to consider being drawn into any possible European or far eastern war Rearmament was delayed because of the results of the Wall St. Crash Reluctant to confront Germany -- could not count on support for the USA IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON FRENCH Similar to Britain Steel production was only 1/3 of what it had been Political divided right concerned about the French communist Party & Soviet expansion WWI memories IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON USA Reluctant to confront Japanese aggression (Manchuria 1931) until 1941 – oil embargo 1935 Neutrality Act Committed USA to neutrality in the event of a war between two foreign countries IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON USSR Behind in terms of industrialisation Looked to the west for collective security against Hitler Attempted to sign pacts with France, Czechoslovakia and Baltic states Joined the L of N in 1934 with a permanent seat 1939 signed the Nazis Soviet Pact. MANCHURIA INCIDENT 1931-1933 • • • • • • • • • • Japan – desire to develop a colonial empire (imperialism) Increased demands for natural resources Abundant natural resources in Manchuria made it a target Deliberate breach of the Covenant of the League of Nations Demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations and maintaining peace and security. “Toothless” Reinforced the concept of expansionism through force (Europe and Japan). Encouraged European dictators to follow similar expansion in Africa. (Mussolini & Abyssinia) Q2.What did the Lytton commission decide about the Manchurian incident? In Part sympathetic to the Japanese position Accepted they had a long standing investment that should be protected. Named Japan as the aggressor in the overall incident Japan withdraws from the League of Nations ABYSSINIA 1933-1936 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The death blow to the League of Nations Mussolini wanted war and glory. Abyssinia would make up for the lack of territory it received in the Treaty of Versailles. Help to create an Italian Empire Increase political support. Reaction to the Invasion was caution – diplomacy Gave time for Mussolini to send his army into Ethiopia League implements trade arms, rubber & metals sanctions. Nations would not support sanctions as they were more interested in protecting their own economy. Abyssinia secretly given to Italy by Britain & France Hitler exploited the event --- re-occupation of the Rhineland Why did Sanctions not prove effective? Not introduced until 6 weeks after Mussolini began the invasion Did not include materials needed to support invasion (oil, iron, steel, coal) Non L of N members continued to trade Fear of Hitler they wanted to keep the two Fascist apart