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France
- Pacifism: war avoidance
- Perceived Inferiority: German strength was the equal of the
combined Anglo-French forces
- The primacy of defense
- Abandoned global security, looked for European allies to fight
against Germany – little consideration to whom
- France subverted their old imperialist ideologies in an attempt to
prevent another world war
- France was hamstrung in its attempt to formulate alliances by its
own volatility and the ideological barriers of its British ally.
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Great Britain
Legacies of the Great War, they were enthusiastic initially about the LoN
Wants an international order but one that is favourable to Britian
Prepared to redress Versailles, felt it was unfair
Prepared to fight any regime that threatens Britain and its allies, especially after Hitler
breaks his promises,
Although Britain is nationalistic, it was different from the German variety, because the
British on were based on a belief in an international order.
To protect the continental balance of power and a desire to prevent any one nation
achieving European hegemony was a belief deeply engrained in British culture.
Appeasement was intitially popular
Did not want to go to war over Danzig but was not prepared to see the Nazi’s dominate
Europe.
Believed that facism and war were intertwined.
Believed that Britain could defeat Germany but wanted to exhaust all alternatives as the
cost of the war would bankrupt Britain.
Soviet Union
 Ideological foundation, realistic policy. Stalin’s ideologies changes depending on the
situation he faces.
 Chief concern of Stalin was maintaining his position as ruler of the USSR.
 Wanted Global communism, but during the 1930’s internal problems meant the focus was
on the USSR + they were not ready to fight.
 Was distrustful of all capitalist powers, especially after Britain and France abandoned
Czechoslovakia. Felt they wanted the USSR to do the bulk of the fighting.
 Agreement with Hitler meant no immediate prospect of war + material gains. Did not think
he would attack the USSR without first defeating Britain. Though a war with Britain and
France would be long and weaken Germany so it could not fight the USSR
 Weakened after the purges
Germany
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 The ultra-nationalism propagated by Hitler was more sinister than that of other
totalitarian dictatorships.
 Irrational fear of national decline created by a lack of German resources saw Hitler
dream of a racially pure German state wielding power all over Eastern Europe.
 Nazism promoted itself as being young and vigorous, modern and dynamic
 Hitler had believed that Germany’s pre-Versailles borders were too small
 Believed German greatness depended on unlimited Eastern expansion with the
enslavement of perceived inferior races
 Hitler hated both communism and the Slavs
 Hitler appropriated much of the blame for Versailles to France
 Appear to have a pattern of invasion through economics
 Hostile towards France – want alliance with Britain to isolate France
 Hatred for capitalism, liberalism and communism
 Rearmament
 Indoctrination of the population to Nazi views.