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IB DP HISTORY STUDY NOTES

3.2.9 Combined International

Response (1940)
Study Notes IB DP History
3: The Move To Global War 3.2 German And Italian Expansion (1933–1940)
3.2.9 Combined International Response (1940)

By 1940, the rise of the Axis powers had become an unequivocal concern for the global
community. Recognising the looming threat, nations sought to orchestrate a consolidated
strategy to deter further aggression, setting the stage for many pivotal moments in World War
II.

Consolidation of International Response

As Axis ambitions burgeoned, the international community found it imperative to foster a
unified front to ensure peace and security. This consolidation can be attributed to:

Mounting Aggression of Axis Powers: The meticulous annexations and invasions, like
Poland, Norway, and France by Germany, and Italy's ambitions in North Africa, resonated
alarm bells.

Lessons from Appeasement: Past endeavours of appeasement had merely emboldened

the Axis powers. Nations recognised the imperative for collective security and unity.

Shared Democratic Values: Many democratic nations saw not just their territories but
their foundational principles under threat, ushering a more concerted response.

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Diplomatic Measures
Diplomacy took centre stage as nations manoeuvred through the complex geopolitical
terrain to counteract Axis ambitions.

Neutrality Acts: The USA, initially distant from European conflicts, enacted the Neutrality
Acts, an isolationist stance. But as threats became more pronounced, amendments
allowed aid to Allies, signifying a shift in US foreign policy.

Lend-Lease Act: This landmark US legislation circumvented direct involvement in the war.
Instead, it facilitated the provision of military and financial aid to countries crucial to US
defence. This greatly bolstered British and later Soviet wartime resources.

Alliances and Agreements: Recognising the shared threats, alliances were formed and
strengthened. The Anglo-Soviet Agreement stands out, consolidating British and Soviet
stands against Axis aggression.

Economic Measures
To thwart the Axis machinery, nations employed economic strategies, understanding that war
wasn't just fought with weapons but with resources and finances.

Economic Sanctions: The League of Nations, albeit with dwindling influence, imposed
sanctions on Italy after its Abyssinian escapade. These were aimed at economically
isolating aggressive nations.

Trade Embargoes: Targeted embargoes on essential commodities, especially by the USA

towards Japan, aimed to cripple the war machines of aggressor nations.

Financial Aid and Economic Support: The Allies, particularly the UK, were buoyed by
financial assistance, chiefly from the US, ensuring they weren’t economically
outmanoeuvred during the war.

Military Measures
The realisation that military confrontations were inevitable prompted nations to recalibrate
theirwebsite
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Massive Mobilisation: Countries began extensive mobilisation drives. The UK and France's
declaration of war on Germany following the invasion of Poland exemplifies the military
resolve.

Strategic Alliances: Geopolitical realities were recognised, with the UK overseeing

operations in the west, while the USSR fortified the eastern territories against possible Axis
advances.

Mutual Defence Pacts: The urgency of the situation saw nations formulating defence
pacts, with the UK guaranteeing the borders of several European nations.

Role of Responses in Shaping WWII

The collective international countermeasures during this period played an instrumental role in
determining the subsequent dynamics of WWII.

Stymied Axis Objectives: Economic constraints, brought about by sanctions and

embargoes, did impair the Axis powers, slowing their advances and affecting their war
strategies.

Empowered Allied Resistance: Aid, especially from the USA, played a monumental role in
fortifying the Allies, enabling them to mount formidable resistance during pivotal battles,
from the skies over Britain to the frosty realms of the Soviet Union.

Formidable Allied Unity: The diplomatic efforts led to a robust Allied unity, ensuring
coordinated campaigns. This unity laid the foundation for monumental wartime
operations, such as the Normandy invasion.

In summation, the international response in 1940 was a defining moment in the annals of
history. The measures taken not only exemplified global resilience against the menace of the
Axis powers but also forged alliances and strategies that would significantly determine the
trajectory and outcome of WWII.

Mock Questions

Analyse the importance of economic measures adopted by nations in

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response to the Axis powers' aggression in shaping the dynamics of World
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War II.

Economic measures were pivotal in shaping the trajectory of WWII, acting as both
deterrence and empowerment. The sanctions and embargoes imposed, especially by the
League of Nations and the USA, aimed to economically isolate and impede the war
efforts of the Axis powers. While these measures sometimes had limited direct impact,
they symbolised international disapproval and imposed strain on Axis resources.
Concurrently, financial aid, exemplified by the USA's Lend-Lease Act, fortified the Allies,
ensuring they weren't economically outflanked. In essence, these economic strategies
played a dual role: constraining the Axis while bolstering the Allies, thereby influencing the
broader dynamics of the war.

To what extent did diplomatic efforts in 1940 influence the consolidation of

the Allied response against the Axis powers?

Diplomatic manoeuvres in 1940 were instrumental in solidifying the Allied front against
Axis belligerence. The shortcomings of earlier appeasement strategies led to a
heightened emphasis on collective security. Alliances and agreements, like the Anglo-
Soviet Agreement, showcased a tangible shift towards a united stance. Furthermore, the
transformation of US foreign policy, from the Neutrality Acts to facilitating aid via the
Lend-Lease Act, underlined the growing global commitment against Axis ambitions.
While military and economic strategies were crucial, diplomatic efforts provided the
necessary framework, ensuring coordination and unity amongst the Allies, thereby
significantly enhancing their collective efficacy against the Axis onslaught.

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Past Papers

Q&A Forum

1. MILITARY LEADERS

2. CONQUEST AND ITS IMPACT

3: THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR

3.1 Japanese Expansion in East Asia (1931–

1941)

3.2 German and Italian Expansion (1933–

1940)

3.2.1 Fascism and Nazism: Ideological

Foundations

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3.2.2 Domestic
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3.2.3 Diplomatic Alignments and

Appeasement

3.2.4 German Challenges to Post-War

Settlements

3.2.5 Italian Expansion and Aggression

3.2.6 German Expansion and Pre-War

Alliances

3.2.7 International Response to German

Aggression

3.2.8 International Response to Italian

Aggression

3.2.9 Combined International Response

(1940)

4: RIGHTS AND PROTEST

5: CONFLICT AND INTERVENTION

6: SOCIETY AND ECONOMY (650–1400)

7: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WARS (750–1500)

8: DYNASTIES AND RULERS (750–1500)

9: SOCIETIES IN TRANSITION (1400–1700)

10: EARLY MODERN STATES (1450–1789)

11: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF EARLY MODERN

WARS (1500–1750)
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12: ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF

INDUSTRIALISATION (1750–2005)

13: INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS (1800–2000)

14: EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF

DEMOCRATIC STATES (1848–2000)

15: AUTHORITARIAN STATES (20TH CENTURY)

16: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF 20TH CENTURY

WARS

17: THE COLD WAR: SUPERPOWER TENSIONS

AND RIVALRIES (20TH CENTURY)

18: HISTORY OF AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

(HL)

19: HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS (HL)

20. HISTORY OF ASIA AND OCEANIA (HL)

21. HISTORY OF EUROPE (HL)

Written by:
Maddie

Oxford University - BA History

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FAQ

How did the USA's stance evolve from the early days of the war to the
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influence by 1940?

In what ways did the Neutrality Acts exhibit the USA's isolationist policy?

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developments leading up to 1940?

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by 1940?

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