Exam Question:
Main reason for Anschluss?
How responsible for WW2?
Anschluss
Why?
Hitler wanted all German-speaking nations in Europe to be a part of
Germany
Definition?
The unification of Germany and Austria
Background?
Attempted coup in 1934. Dolfuss bans extremists. Hitler orders
chaos, which escalated. Mussolini livid and opposes Hitler
Events?
Schusnigg co-operates with Germany (Austro-German Treaty
1936). Nazi member becomes Minister of Interior in 1938. Hitler
orders chaos (AGAIN!) so he can “restore order”.
th
9 March – Schussnigg calls referendum. Hitler furious and orders
cancellation. Succeeds. 1
th
1 march, German troops occupy Austria. Referendum in April
rigged to show German support
Outcome?
Britain and France in no position to oppose Hitler. Appeasement the
preferred option.
German add 7 million people and 100,000 soldiers. Steel, Iron and
wealth gained. Czechoslovakia now border Germany on 3 fronts
Organisation of the League of Nations
The Council
4 permanent members – Britain, France, Italy and Japan, until Italy and
Japan left the league
Solved disputes by :
•Moral condemnation – countries would pressure the aggressor to stop
the war
•Economic sanctions – countries would stop trade with the aggressor,
•military force – members of the league would eventually fight the
aggressor- whose army?
The Assembly
Met once a year to discuss issues, such as solving disputes, or changing
treaties.
All decisions in the assembly had to be unanimous
Had representatives from each member.
The Permanent Court of Justice
Court of 15 judges chosen by the league
Dealt with disputes between countries whilst the assembly couldn’t
Had no means of enforcing decisions, and relied on member states to
enforce their decisions
Weaknesses of the Structure
Assembly, which had the real power, only met once a year (Manchuria?)
Decisions had to be unanimous, which meant that some decisions would
be hard to agree on, and therefore means that they may not be able to
do much
The Permanent court of Justice met more often than the assembly,
however it had no force, and relied on members to do it if they chose to.
Exam Question:
Responsible for failure of League of Nations?
Exam Question:
Main reason for rearmament and remilitarisation?
How responsible for WW2?
German re-armament and the Rhineland
Background?
German had military limitations put on them by the Treaty of
Versailles. Germany joined the League and participated in the 1932
Disarmament Conference. Withdrew in 1933
Rearmament?
In 1935, Hitler introduced conscription. Europe did nothing, but
were concerned – Britain and France split, Russia joined the League.
1934 – signed a 10 year non-aggression pact with Poland,
guaranteeing her borders. Hitler peaceful?
1934 – failed Anschluss. German army needs strengthening
1935 – Anglo-German Naval agreement (35% of British fleet).
Britain did not consult Italy or France so weakened Stresa Front. By
1938, rearmament figures were – 800,000 soldiers, 47 U-boats and
2000 planes
Rhineland?
th
Troops marched in on 7 March 1936 – against Treaty and Locarno
Pact. Hitler agrees 25 year non-aggression pact. Only Soviet Union
in favour of sanctions.
Why no action?
Abyssinia and what is the problem with having German troops in
Germany?
Significance of Rhineland?
Opposed Treaty. Hitler more popular in Germany, Rome-Berlin Axis
signed – battle lines for WW2. Britain and France rearm, the League
doomed
Exam Question:
Main reason for invasion of Sudetenland?
Munich Agreement a victory or failure?
How responsible for WW2?
Sudeten Crisis and Munich Agreement
Why?
Unite the 3 million German speakers, Lebensraum and control of
lesser Slavic people
Sudeten crisis
Hitler encouraged Sudeten Nazi leader Henlein to riot in March 1938
Hitler met Chamberlain in Germany and Hitler outlined his aim of a
plebiscite. Chamberlain persuaded the French to force Benes (Czech
leader) to accept.
Chamberlain surprised Hitler on September 22nd by accepting
proposals. Hitler asked to occupy the Sudetenland immediately.
Chamberlain gutted – prepare for war
Munich Agreement
Germany, France, Italy and Britain met. Sudetenland German, but not
Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain and Hitler agreed they would never go
to war –”peace in our time”
Outcome?
Czechs betrayed and vulnerable. Germany gained Sudetenland, a key
industrial area, Britain re-armed as public opinion began to swing
against appeasement. Soviet Union left out and annoyed. PEACE!
Exam Question:
Success and failure?
Difference between conferences?
Responsible for increasing tensions between East and West?
Yalta (Feb 1945) and Potsdam (July 1945)
Conferences
Yalta agreement?
Divide Germany into four – Berlin too
Nazi war criminals to be hunted down
Free elections in East Europe
Soviet support in Japanese War
UN set up
German reparations
But…
What to do about Poland?
Then what?
By Potsdam, Russia occupied Eastern Europe and
liberated Berlin. Germany surrender. Roosevelt died,
Churchill replaced. USA tested an atom bomb on July
16th
So?
Huge mistrust, especially between US and Russia.
Division of Germany and hunt for war criminals
confirmed. But, wartime cooperation ends, lack of a
common enemy. Little agreed at Potsdam
The “Thaw”
Stalin’s death
Died in 1953. Replaced by Khrushchev, end of Communist world
domination
Thaw?
Wanted to calm tensions between East and West – both had H-Bomb.
USSR helped end Korean War. Austrian occupation ended in 1955
Peaceful coexistence?
First used by Khrushchev in 1956 – describing “living in peace” with West.
Khrushchev visited Britain and conference held in Geneva in 1955
NATO and Warsaw Pact
Why NATO?
Formed in April 1949 to respond to Berlin blockade. All members defended
if attacked
Problem?
Drew a frontier against USSR. 12 member states, East Germany made in
15. Allowed US military expansion. Seen as aggression action by USSR,
application rejected
Soviet response?
After 1955, it became clear Germany would not be united. Mutual
defence pact signed in Warsaw in 1955 – Pol, Cz, Bul, Hun, Rom, E. Ger,
Albania
“Collective Security” “Treaty of Friendship” – allowed Russian dominance.
Despite “thaw” in Cold War, battle lines were now drawn
Exam Question:
NATO and Warsaw
increase tension?
Successful was
“peaceful
coexistence”?