CH4 Outbreak of WW2 in Europe

4.1: Outbreak of WWII in Europe Reason 1: Weakness of the LON 1. Failure at Disarmament ● World Disarmament Conference: 1932-1934 ● Due to the lack of commitment amongst major powers; Countries prioritised their own interests - Germany insisted on matching the military of other major powers: Eventually left LON and the conference in 1933 - France refused to limit own arms - Britain and USA refused to adhere to France’s demands Link: The failure of disarmament created a sense of distrust and tension amongst the major powers and increased the likelihood of war on a major scale with more weaponry. - Link to Hitler’s rearmament schemes 2. Abyssinian Crisis ● Date of event: 1936 ● Context: Italy took over Abyssinia in 1936 due to Mussolini’s expansionist policy ● Reason for Failure: Britain and France were allies with Italy under the Stresa Front Pact, which had it roots in a desire for an ally against Hitler should he become excessively aggressive. Thus they prioritised their own interests. ● Examples of Failure - LON delayed the ban of the sale of oil to Italy: In the economic interest of its members - Britain and France did not close the Suez Canal: allowed the shipping of war materials to Italian troops - Britain and France secretly planned to give Italy ⅔ of Italy to prevent invasion - Explicit failure to their aim of collective security Link: The failure of the LON in the Abyssinian Crisis to impose meaning sanctions proved it to be a weak and discredited peacekeeping force. Thus Hitler was convinced that the LON would not oppose him fiercely in his expansionist policy, and was emboldened to expand - Link to the remilitarisation of Rhineland 3. Failure to enforce the Treaty of Versailles ● Due to the general atmosphere of pacifism ● Examples of Failure - Announcement of Remilitarisation plans: Opposed clause of demilitarisation - Remilitarisation of the Rhineland: Opposed clause of demilitarisation - Anschluss with Austria: Opposed clause of territorial losses

- Britain even signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935 allowing for some rearmament Link: The LON’s failure to enforce the Treaty of Versailles emboldened Hitler to embark on an expansionist policy and cultivate his military strength which led to a large-scale war Reason 2: The Policy of Appeasement 1. Reasons/Aims of the policy of Appeasement ● Definition: The diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an enemy power in order to avoid conflict. ● Reasons for the policy: a. Economic Reasons - Economy weakened by the Great Depression and WWI: 3 million unemployed, weakened workforce with lesser men - Propaganda by Germany created conception of economic success Link: Much financial strength necessary for war: spent $3251 million on WW1, thus appeasement was necessary to strengthen Britain financially for war, as opposed to warring on insufficient material