road to ww2

• How did the long-term consequences of peace treaties contribute to the outbreak of war??

  •Germany was resentful and determined to reverse the terms.•The impact of the treaties and the Great Depression brought military extremists to power.•Unemployment in Germany led to the growth of power of the Nazi party who made no secret of the desire to overthrow the T of V.
• How did the failure of the League of Nations contribute to the outbreak of war?

  The Great Depression impacted the League of Nations.Britain avoided international disputes due to its economic struggles.Japan aimed to boost its economy by invading Manchuria.Italy invaded Abyssinia.The League primarily used sanctions as a tool.The League hesitated to impose significant sanctions on powerful nations like Japan and Italy.The League's inaction against Japan and Italy contributed to its downfall.
• Why did Hitler sign the Nazi Soviet Pact?

  Stalin and USSR were crucial for Poland's fate.Hitler sought to avoid a two-front war, allying with Stalin.The pact allowed Hitler to invade Poland unopposed by Stalin.Britain and France were left to confront Germany alone.
• Why did Hitler want to unite Germany and Austria?

  Cultural link: Strong Nazi presence in Austria; 96% German-speaking population.Hitler's goal in "Mein Kampf": Create a Greater Germany and overturn the Treaty of Versailles.Anschluss (union with Austria) was forbidden by the Treaty but aligned with Hitler's aims.Austria faced economic issues; union promised economic benefits within a Greater Germany.
• Why did Britain and France allow Germany to re-militarise the Rhineland in 1936?

  League of Nations focused on Abyssinia; unable to act against Hitler.French leaders, pre-election, avoided war decisions.France needed British support to act against Germany.Britain unwilling to confront Hitler over territorial claims.Hitler used France-USSR treaty to justify his military moves.
• Why was remilitarisation of the Rhineland a risk for Hitler?

  Potential French resistance to German forces risked war.German generals feared inferiority in numbers and strength.Hitler risked humiliation and loss of army support if forced to withdraw.Action violated the Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Treaties of 1925.
• Describe the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936.

  Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops to the Rhineland.German generals opposed the move, fearing French resistance and a weak German army.Troops were ordered to retreat if opposed, but faced no resistance.The move was largely welcomed, viewed by Britain as reclaiming German territory.The League of Nations condemned the act but remained inactive due to involvement in Abyssinia.
• What were the aims of Hitler's foreign policy?

  Overturn the Treaty of Versailles and reclaim lost territories.Achieve Anschluss with Austria and create a 'Greater Germany'.Build up the German military and establish an Aryan empire in Eastern Europe.Expand into Poland and the USSR for living space (lebensraum).
• Short term causes of ww2

  Remilitarisation of Rhineland, Anschluss Sudetenland crisis Failure of appeasement, invasion
• 1934: Anschluss


  (Failed) The union of Austria and Germany. Following Austrian Nazi murder of Dollfuss, Mussolini blocks the union by moving troops to the German border.
• Disarmament conference

  1932- Hitler (a.h) said Germany (Ge) would accept disarmament if every nation disarmed too within 5 years, or Ge should be allowed to rearm because Ge was militarily inferior. Ge were annoyed and so stormed out of the conference.