Chapter 4. Outbreak of WW2 in Europe

Chapter 4: Outbreak of WWII in Europe - weakness of League of Nations - appeasement policy - hitler’s expansionist policy Reasons for WW2 in Europe: 1. weakness of the LoN Failure to Achieve disarmament Reasons major world powers (britain, france) refused to cooperate since they put their own interests above international peace. other members copied - they had already been weakened in WWI and Great Depression, disarmament will make them vulnerable Examples league commission (1926) - set up to prepare for world disarmament conference, britain and france refused to cooperate world disarmament conference (1932-1934) - germany insisted on matching other countries’ armament levels - france refused, threatened by germany - brit and US refused - hitler withdrew from conference and LON disarmament without LON: - Washington Naval Conference (1921) - led by US, set ratio for size of diff countries’ navies. helped curb arms race between major naval powers - Locarno Treaties (1925) - germany officially accepted certain terms of TOV they were unhappy with - accepted new borders with france n belgium - demilitarisation of rhineland - improved relationship between germany and WWI enemies Outcome LoN lost credibility - powerful nations on their own were more effective than LoN disarmament not adequately achieved - more likely for war to break out

Abyssinian Crisis (1935) weak LoN response Reasons brit and france allies with italy, did not want to hurt relations. they felt like they needed italian support against hitler LON actions banned sale of weapons to italy banned all imports from italy they could’ve done more to hurt italy: - no ban of sale of important resources (oil, coal, steel) to italy - LoN were scared this would hurt their economies - Suez Canal (controlled by British) not closed to Italian ships - using canal made it easier for italy to ship military supplies to Abyssinia - LoN were scared this would lead to war with italy brit and france secret proposed Hoare-Laval Pact - planned to give ⅔ Abyssinia to Italy in exchange for italy to stop military actions Outcome Italy was not deterred by weak response - went on to take full control of Abyssinia LoN reputation damaged - LoN leaders more concerned about own interests than ensuring peace in Abyssinia LoN inaction backfired - Mussolini and Hitler got bolder - formed Rome-Berlin Axis (treaty of friendship) later - paved way for outbreak of WWII

2. policy of appeasement What brit and france give into germany’s demands - to satisfy hitler - stop further german aggression - prevent war with germany Reason WWI memories - brit and france devastated by WWI, dont want another economic problems - brit and france economies devastated by WWI and Great Depression - efforts at economic rebuilding destroyed by another war TOV regrets - many brits felt TOV was too harsh - regarded germany’s aggressive actions as justified