CORE:20th century

• How far was Hitler's foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939?

  Key Focus Points:

  • Long-term consequences of Versailles
  • Justification of appeasement
  • Policy of appeasement
  • Nazi-Soviet Pact
  • Britain and France declare war in September 1939

  Arguments for Blame:

  • Hitler's aggressive aims in Mein Kampf
  • Violated Treaty of Versailles and international law

  Arguments Against Sole Blame:

  • Treaty of Versailles created resentment
  • Policy of appeasement emboldened Hitler
  • Economic instability and League of Nations' failure
• What were Hitler's main aims in his foreign policy?

  • Abolish the Treaty of Versailles
  • Expand German territory (Lebensraum)
  • Unite German-speaking peoples
  • Defeat communism
• Explain Hitler's policy of rearmament and its significance.

  • Defied Treaty of Versailles by rebuilding armed forces
  • Reduced unemployment and boosted economy
  • Popular among Germans feeling humiliated
  • Strengthened military power for aggressive aims
  • Britain and France protested but took little action
• What was the Saar plebiscite and its significance for Hitler?

  • Held in 1935 to decide Saar's control
  • Over 90% voted to return to Germany
  • Propaganda victory showing German desire for Reich
  • Legal way for Germany to regain territory
• Explain Hitler's remilitarisation of the Rhineland and the international response.

  • Rhineland was demilitarised by Treaty of Versailles
  • Hitler sent troops in March 1936, violating the Treaty
  • Britain and France protested but took no action
  • League of Nations condemned but lacked enforcement
  • Strengthened Germany's western border and boosted Hitler's confidence
• Describe the Anschluss with Austria and the reasons for it.

  • Anschluss means "union" in German
  • Aimed to unite Austria with Germany
  • Pro-Nazi movement existed in Austria
  • Hitler pressured Austrian government to install pro-Nazi regime
  • Rigged plebiscite favored Anschluss
  • Britain and France protested but took no action
• What was the policy of appeasement and the arguments for and against it?

  Definition:

  • Concessions to Hitler to avoid war

  Arguments For:

  • Desire to avoid another conflict after WWI
  • Belief Treaty of Versailles was too harsh
  • Britain needed time to rearm
  • Stronger Germany could buffer against communism

  Arguments Against:

  • Emboldened Hitler's aggression
  • Allowed Germany to grow militarily
  • Betrayed smaller nations like Czechoslovakia
  • Morally weak policy sacrificing principles
• Explain the Sudetenland Crisis and the Munich Agreement (1938).

  • Sudetenland had a large German-speaking population
  • Hitler demanded its cession to Germany
  • Chamberlain pursued appeasement with meetings
  • Munich Agreement allowed German annexation without Czechoslovakia's consent
  • Seen as a failure of appeasement, delaying war
• What was the significance of Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939?

  • Occupation convinced Britain and France that appeasement failed
  • Issued guarantee to Poland for defense
  • Marked a turning point towards war
• Explain the Nazi-Soviet Pact and its significance for the outbreak of war.

  • Non-aggression treaty between Germany and USSR
  • Secret clauses divided Eastern Europe
  • Removed threat of a two-front war for Germany
  • Paved way for invasion of Poland
• What event triggered the outbreak of World War II in Europe?

  • Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939
  • Britain and France issued an ultimatum
  • Declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939
• What are potential exam questions related to Hitler's foreign policy?

  • To what extent was Hitler's foreign policy solely responsible for the outbreak of war?
  • Analyse the successes of Hitler's foreign policy in 1933-1938.
  • "Appeasement was a cowardly policy." How far do you agree?
  • Explain the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
  • How important was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
  • Assess the impact of the Munich Agreement on relations.
  • "Hitler's aims made war inevitable." To what extent do you agree?
• Define the policy of Appeasement as it relates to the 1930s.

  • Diplomatic policy by Britain and France
  • Aimed at aggressive powers like Nazi Germany
  • Involved concessions to maintain peace
• What were the main reasons why Britain and France pursued a policy of Appeasement towards Hitler?

  • Desire to avoid another war
  • Economic problems from the Great Depression
  • Belief in Hitler's legitimate grievances
  • Underestimation of Hitler's ambitions
  • Fear of Communism
  • Lack of military preparedness
  • Strong public support for peace
  • Focus on domestic issues
• Describe two key events that illustrate the policy of Appeasement.

  1. Remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936)

  • German troops entered the demilitarized zone
  • Britain and France protested but took no action

  1. Anschluss with Austria (1938)

  • Germany annexed Austria
  • Britain and France issued diplomatic protests only

  1. Sudetenland Crisis and Munich Agreement (1938)

  • Britain and France allowed annexation in exchange for promises
• What were the arguments used to justify the policy of Appeasement?

  • Bought time for Britain and France to rearm
  • Avoided a potentially devastating war
  • Belief in limited demands from Hitler
  • Widespread public desire for peace
  • Allowed focus on empire and global concerns
• What were the arguments against the policy of Appeasement?

  • Emboldened Hitler for further demands
  • Strengthened Germany militarily
  • Betrayed Czechoslovakia and collective security
  • Failed to stop aggression, leading to war
  • Seen as a sign of weakness
  • Critics argued for early resistance to Hitler
• What event is generally considered to mark the end of the policy of Appeasement? Why?

  • Invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939
  • Showed Hitler's aims exceeded uniting German-speaking peoples
  • Demonstrated failure of appeasement
  • Led to guarantees issued to Poland
• What was Neville Chamberlain's role in the policy of Appeasement?

  • British Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940
  • Associated with appeasement policy
  • Believed in achieving "peace for our time"
  • Key meetings with Hitler, especially at Munich
  • Initially popular, later criticized for naivety
• How did public opinion in Britain and France view the policy of Appeasement?

  • Initially supported to avoid war
  • Shifted against appeasement as aggression increased
  • Critics voiced concerns in press and parliament
  • Chamberlain maintained initial public support
• What were some alternative policies that Britain and France could have pursued instead of appeasement?

  • Stronger collective security with the League of Nations
  • Earlier and stronger military rearmament
  • Forming stronger alliances, including with the Soviet Union
  • Taking a firmer stance against early actions by Hitler
• What were the long-term consequences of the policy of Appeasement?

  • Failed to prevent war, possibly made it more likely
  • Led to occupation and suffering in Czechoslovakia
  • Damaged credibility of Britain and France internationally
  • Cautionary tale about appeasing aggressive dictators
• To what extent do you agree that appeasement was a cowardly and misguided policy that made war inevitable?

  It was seen as cowardly and misguided.
• Why did Britain and France adopt a policy of Appeasement towards Hitler in the 1930s?

  To avoid war and due to economic issues.
• How significant was Neville Chamberlain's role in the policy of Appeasement?

  Chamberlain was central to the appeasement policy.
• Why did the policy of Appeasement ultimately fail to prevent war?

  It allowed Hitler to grow stronger and bolder.
• To what extent was public opinion in Britain and France responsible for the policy of Appeasement?

  Public opinion initially supported avoiding war.
• What were the key arguments for and against the policy of Appeasement in the 1930s?

  Arguments included time to rearm and emboldening Hitler.
• Why is the invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 significant?

  It marked the end of the policy of Appeasement.
• What was the public's initial reaction to the policy of Appeasement?

  There was widespread support to avoid war.
• What alternative policies could have been pursued instead of Appeasement?

  Stronger collective security and earlier rearmament.
• What are the long-term consequences of the policy of Appeasement?


  It failed to prevent war and damaged credibility.
• What is the thesis statement regarding Hitler's foreign policy and the outbreak of war in 1939?

  • Hitler's aggressive foreign policy was a primary catalyst.
  • Other factors include failure of appeasement, weaknesses of the League, and the Great Depression.
• How did Hitler's rejection of the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the outbreak of war?

  It led to rearmament and territorial expansion.
• What was Hitler's concept of Lebensraum?

  Desire for "living space" in Eastern Europe.
• How did Hitler's aim to create a Greater German Reich destabilize Europe?

  It involved uniting all German-speaking peoples.
• What was Hitler's approach to using force in his foreign policy?

  He was willing to use military force and intimidation.
• How did the policy of appeasement contribute to the outbreak of war?

  • Emboldened Hitler to make further demands.
  • Allowed German rearmament and military buildup.
  • Demonstrated weakness by sacrificing smaller nations.
  • Failed to deter Hitler's ambitions.
• What was the impact of appeasement on Hitler's aggression?

  It encouraged him to become more aggressive.
• What did the Munich Agreement signify regarding Britain and France's stance?

  It showed their willingness to sacrifice smaller nations.