Among the factors leading to the outbreak of WWII in Europe, which is more significant?

Weakness of the League of NationsHitler’s expansionist policyPolicy of appeasement

What were Hitler’s aims?Does no one know?It has been there all along.

Nazi Party 25 points program demands:◦ The unification of all Germans

in the Greater Germany◦ The formation of a National

Army◦ Abolition of the TOV

In Mein KampfGermany is “obligated to promote the victory of the better and stronger, and demand the subordination of inferior and weaker”

“Only an adequate large space on this earth assures a nation freedom of existence”

There is a “disproportion between our population and our area …. This land can be obtained from Russia …. We must secure the land and soil to which we are entitled.”

“Lebensraum” (Living Space)

Challenge to TOV

Under the TOV What Hitler did

Army limited to 100,000 men

1933 – Conscription and Rearmament

No air force 1936 – 2,500 plane Luftwaffe

No submarines Built U-boats secretly under pretext of research

Demilitarised Rhineland

1936 – German Army march into Rhineland

Political union of Germany and Austria not allowed

1934 – Anschluss with Austria

When Hitler came into power in 1933, he set about challenging the Treaty of Versailles. He managed to get away with everything up until war broke out.

Withdrawal from League of NationsGermany was accepted into the

League of Nations in 1926 under Gustav Stresemann

Geneva/World Disarmament Conference Hitler insisted on parity with France

France objectedHitler withdrew from conference

and League of Nations

RearmamentTo restore German pride and prestige1933 – 1934 stepped up rearmament and

conscriptionOnly announced it in 1935 when he was

confident of the Army strength

RearmamentSuch militarisation is against the TOVBritain and France were strong enough

to stand against Hitler, but they did not

Verbal protest were made without effectHitler happily continued with

rearmamentBritain signed the Anglo-German Naval

Agreement with Hitler

WHY?

Remilitarisation of Rhineland

RhinelandDemilitarised under TOVMarch 1936 German Army crossed into

Rhineland using the Franco-Soviet Alliance as excuse

Britain did nothing◦ Pacifist mentality

France did nothing◦ Elections◦ No British Support

League of Nations condemn◦ Distracted by Abyssinia

German people?

Reaction?

The Fuhrer is pleased

Spanish Civil War (1937)German soldiers and planes sent

to help Nationalist ForcesChance for Hitler to test out his

militaryExcuse – to fight the Communists

Republicans

Why didn’t Britain and France do anything?Fear of CommunismHitler hated communismAnti-Comintern Pact with Japan

Anschluss (1938)Unification of Germany and

AustriaTOV prevented such a unionAustrian Nazis pressured Austrian

Chancellor Schuschnigg to hold a plebiscite

99.75% voted in favour Austria was annexed on 13 March

1938

What do you think was the response?

Czechoslovakia

SudetenlandHeavily German populated

Sudetenland Population wanted to be part of

Germany under influence of Nazi leader there

Hitler threatened warCzech leader Benes was willing

to fightBritain, France, SU also promised

to supportBUT…..

Response?Munich Agreement (Sept 1938)

signed by◦Britain◦France◦Germany◦Italy

Sudentenland given to GermanyBenes resigned

Who was missing?

Invasion of CzechoslovakiaMarch 1939

Britain and France realised Hitler can’t be trusted

Warn of war if Hitler invaded Poland

Began preparations for war

Finally

Nazi-Soviet (Non-Aggression) PactNo attack on

each otherPrevent war on

both frontsSplit Eastern

Europe between both of them

Britain and Poland signed a defence treaty

Invasion of Poland

Invasion of PolandHitler demanded Danzig and the

Polish corridorWanted to link up with East

PrussiaBritain and France still willing to

negotiateNegotiations broke downInvasion on 1 Sept 1939Declaration of War 3 Sept 1939

Invasion of PolandHitler had thought they would not

declare war as they were willing to resume negotiations initially