Conflict and tension

• What happened in Corfu (1923)

  Mussolini sent troops to occupy Corfu, This led to Greece asking the league for help- ordered Mussolini to leave but he went to the Conference of Ambassadors and persuaded them to undermine the league- Greece was forced to apologise and pay compensation
• How did the Great Depression affect the League?

  The powers that the league of nations had were ineffective against dictators - as they were not bound to collective security and didn't care about moral condemnation

  most countries at this time could not help with economic or military sanctions as they couldn't afford it
• why was there a rise in nationalism during the Great Depression

  -dictators were promising to taking land by force for food and land

  -promising state run countries to provide for their needs and guaranteed jobs

  -promised to stand up for their countries national prides
• What were some weaknesses about the League?

  -the League had no army- depended on their members for troops

  -powerful countries were not deterred by moral condemnation

  -The USA refused to join- leading to trade sanctions to become ineffective as countries could still trade with USA

  -The assembly met once a year and decisions had to be unanimous -decisons could not be made quickly
• What happened at Aland Islands-June 1921

  it was a dispute between Finland and Sweden

  • the population wanted to belong to Sweden as they were apart of Finland
  • they asked the league to make a judgement-they said the island should remain apart of Finland but no military should be based there
  • both countries agreed with the outcome
• what were the terms of the Locarno Treaties 1925


  -all countries agreed to not go to war with each other

  -all countries agreed to protect any country attacked

  -Germany accepted the borders defined in the TOV

  -France and Germany agreed to work together peacfully
• why did agreements outside the league make them look weaker?

  -countries were solving their problems peacefully without the need of the league of nations
• what pact did Germany and Japan make?

  The Anti-Comintern pact in November 1936
• what pact did Germany and Italy make?

  The Rome-Berlin Axis- they both wanted an ally in case their attempts to expand their empires were met with opposition
• what was a consequence of Hitler invading Sudetenland

  -Hitler's success in Sudetenland made him even bolder and increased his popularity in Germany
• what was the Nazi-Soviet Pact

  -a pact made between Germany and The USSR- Hitler promised if Stalin allowed him to invade Poland ,Russia would get some of Poland's property(would create a buffer for Russia in case Hitler wanted to invade them)
• Why did Russia sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact

  -Stalin no longer trusted Britain and France after the Munich agreement(1938),so the USSR was isolated -had no choice

  -The pact allowed Stalin to prepare when Hitler turned on him
• what were Hitler's motives for invading Poland?

  -The Nazi-Soviet Pact meant he would only be fighting on one front

  -his previous invasions were swift and unchallenged-was gaining confidence

  -he knew Chamberlain and Daladier would continue the policy of appeasement
• when did Britain and France Declare war on Germany

  -On 3rd September 1939- waited 3 days beforehand in hopes of Hitler surrendering
• what was the Kellogg Briand pact 1928

  -a pact between USA and France which banned war between them

  -France was fearful of Germany so they were keen to make more agreements-agreement against war could be seen as a two way alliance

  -August 1928- 62 countries including Germany France and USA signed the pact which said they would not use war as a way to solve disputes and conflicts
• What was the Anglo-German Naval agreement 1935


  -people felt that the treaty was too harsh on Germany so the agreement said that Germany could build their navy up to 35% of the British navy

  -However Hitler saw this agreement as a dismissal of the the treaties and could now ignore them
• What was the Stresa Front

  -an agreement to guarantee the terms of the Locarno treaties and the ensure the Anschluss with Austria was prevented
• what was the Dollfuss Affair 1934


  -Hitler felt a personal connection with Austria so he wanted Austria to be reunited with Germany

  -in 1934 -Hitler ordered Austrian Nazis to cause chaos in their country however it failed because the army supported the government and Mussolini made the Austrian border to stop the Anschluss
• what was the Freedom to Ream Rally -March 1935


  -Hitler displayed weapons and new troops he had been working on in secret

  -announced the reintroduction of conscription

  -announced his plans to expand his armed forces to over half a million men
• what were hitler's aims

  Lebensraum in eastern Europe

  Overturn the Treaty of Versailles

  Unite Germans together-Anschluss and Volksdeutche

  Destroy communism

  Economy to be built up again

  Rearm Germany