Was the end of appeasement
the reason war began?
This final topic requires you to investigate
why Britain’s attitude changed towards
appeasement and decide whether or not
this caused war.
Why the change of attitude?
• After the signing of the Munich agreement
British politicians and public believed peace
had been made
• However, six months later, Hitler invaded the
remainder of Czechoslovakia
• It became apparent he (Hitler) could not be
trusted.
• Appeasement no longer seamed a feasible
option.
Crisis in Poland
• Poland like Czechoslovakia had a strong
German population living within its borders.
• After WW1 it was separated from Germany
by the Polish Corridor
• Hitler again started to make demands and
allegations
• However, on this occasion Britain and France
were willing to act
• The singing of the Mutual Assistance Treaty
meant both countries were prepared to
defend Poland’s independence
• Hitler himself had forged stronger links
with Italy
• After Mussolini’s invasion of Albania and
the warning he received from Britain
and France, he was forced to sign a
“Pact of Steel” with Hitler
• This “guaranteed” up to 5 years of
peace between the nations
Russia
• Britain and France both realised Russia
could play an important role in halting
Hitler’s invasion of Poland
• The prospects of fighting a war on 2
fronts would have been unthinkable
• Britain also believed Communist Russia
would NEVER be interested in joining
forces with a Fascist Hitler
• After talks with Stalin, Britain stalled on
agreements due to both sides distrust of
each other.
• Britain disliked Russia’s Communist beliefs
• Russia believed Britain was instigating
Germany to move East wards and eradicate
Communism
• Russia therefore feared German invasion and
were not military strong enough to defend
themselves.
Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact
• Hitler surprised Britain and moved quickly to
agree the Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact in
August 1939 with Stalin
• Both countries agreed not to attack each
other
• More importantly, they both agreed to divide
Poland between them after Hitler had
successfully defeated them.
• Britain now had major concerns!
Poland
• Like the Austrian crisis and the Czech crisis,
Hitler now needed to instigate a crisis in
Poland
• He demanded the return of Danzig, a strong
German population lived here.
• He once again complained Germans were being
persecuted here!
• When this failed to gain the required
response he set up an “attempted” polish
invasion of Germany
• Hitler ordered the shooting of prisoners whom he had
dressed in Polish soldiers outfits, after an attack on a
German radio station
• These “soldiers” Hitler claimed were shot trying to
invade Germany
• He now had the excuse he needed
• On the 1st September 1939 he ordered his tanks and
troops to invade Poland
• A very short war was expected, then afterwards
Poland would be divided with Russia!
British Reaction
• Chamberlain, aware now that his policy
of appeasement, as well as honouring his
promise to Poland, ordered Hitler to
remove his troops by September 3rd
1939 or war would be declared
• Hitler refused!
• Britain, France, Canada, New Zealand,
Australia and South Africa all declared
war on Germany!!!!