outbreak of war

• What event marked the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

  Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia in March 1939
• What was the significance of Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia?

  It showed appeasement was ineffective against Hitler
• What was Hitler's goal regarding 'Lebensraum' by 1939?

  To unite all German-speaking people under the Third Reich
• What happened to Austria in 1938?

  Germany annexed Austria in the Anschluss
• Why was Czechoslovakia vulnerable to invasion after the Sudetenland was taken?

  It was left isolated and defenseless
• What did Hitler gain from the occupation of Czechoslovakia?

  2000 field cannon, 450 tanks, 40000 machine guns
• What did Chamberlain promise to Poland?

  That Britain would defend Poland against invasion
• What was the impact of the Munich Agreement on Czechoslovakia?

  Czechoslovakia was left isolated and vulnerable
• When did Hitler invade Czechoslovakia?

  15 March 1939
• Why did Britain and France not challenge Hitler after the Munich Agreement?

  They were afraid of provoking a war
• What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

  An alliance between Hitler and Stalin in 1939
• Why did Stalin agree to the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

  To reclaim land in Poland without fighting
• What did the Nazi-Soviet Pact allow Hitler to do?

  Invade Poland without facing a two-front war
• What was one reason Britain did not trust Stalin?

  Stalin was not invited to the Munich Conference
• How did the Great Depression affect international politics?

  It led to isolationism and weakened cooperation
• What was a long-term cause of the Second World War?

  The Treaty of Versailles created resentment in Germany
• What was the outcome of the invasion of Poland?

  Britain and France declared war on Germany
• Why did Britain and France wait three days to declare war after the invasion of Poland?

  They hoped Hitler would back down
• What was a significant factor in Hitler's confidence to invade Poland?

  The Nazi-Soviet Pact ensured no two-front war
• What did Chamberlain announce on 3 September 1939?

  Britain was at war with Germany
• What was one reason for the failure of the League of Nations?

  The absence of the USA weakened its effectiveness
• How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of dictators?

  It caused extreme poverty and unemployment
• What were the long-term causes of the Second World War?

  • Treaty of Versailles caused resentment in Germany
  • Creation of Poland increased tensions
  • Failure of the League of Nations to maintain peace
• What were the short-term causes of the Second World War?

  • Invasion of Czechoslovakia by Hitler
  • Nazi-Soviet Pact signed in August 1939
• What was the trigger for the Second World War?

  • Invasion of Poland by Germany on 1 September 1939
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the League of Nations?

  Strengths:

  • Aimed to maintain peace and prevent wars
  • Provided a platform for negotiation

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Absence of key powers like the USA
  • Ineffective in enforcing sanctions
  • Lacked military force to act decisively
• What were the consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

  • Allowed Hitler to invade Poland without a two-front war
  • Ensured the USSR would not support the Allies
  • Made war seem imminent, prompting Britain to prepare
• What motivated Chamberlain's policy of appeasement?

  • Desire to avoid another war
  • Fear of communism
  • Sympathy for Hitler's grievances
• How did Hitler's aggressive foreign policies contribute to the outbreak of war?

  • Aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles
  • Sought to unite German-speaking people
  • Pursued Lebensraum through invasions