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 Hitlers foreign policy make things worse?

How did Hitlers 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 Hitlers 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 Germanys 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 Hitlers 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

Italys success in Abyssinia spelt the Leagues 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 Britains resilience

Summary