Part one: Peace making
The armistice: aims of the peacemakers; Wilson and the Fourteen Points; Clemenceau and
Lloyd George; the extent to which they achieved their aims.
The Versailles Settlement: Diktat; territorial changes; military restrictions; war guilt and
reparations.
Impact of the treaty and wider settlement: reactions of the Allies; German objections;
strengths and weaknesses of the settlement, including the problems faced by new states.
Part two: The League of Nations and international peace
The League of Nations: its formation and covenant; organisation; membership and how it
changed; the powers of the League; the work of the League's agencies; the contribution of the
League to peace in the 1920s, including the successes and failures of the League, such as the
Aland Islands, Upper Silesia, Vilna, Corfu and Bulgaria.
Diplomacy outside the League: Locarno treaties and the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
The collapse of the League: the effects of the Depression; the Manchurian and Abyssinian
crises and their consequences; the failure of the League to avert war in 1939.
Part three: The origins and outbreak of the Second World War
The development of tension: Hitler's aims and Allied reactions; the Dollfuss Affair; the Saar;
German rearmament, including conscription; the Stresa Front; Anglo-German Naval Agreement.
Escalation of tension: remilitarisation of the Rhineland; Mussolini, the Axis and the Anti-
Comintern Pact; Anschluss; reasons for and against the policy of appeasement; the Sudeten
Crisis and Munich; the ending of appeasement.
The outbreak of war: the occupation of Czechoslovakia; the role of the USSR and the Nazi-
Soviet Pact; the invasion of Poland and outbreak of war, September 1939; responsibility for
the outbreak of war, including that of key individuals: Hitler, Stalin and Chamberlain.
3
the Fourteen Points; Clemenceau and Lloyd George;
the extent to which they achieved their aims.
The Versailles Settlement: Diktat; territorial
changes; military restrictions; war guilt and
reparations.
reactions of the Allies; German objections;
strengths and weaknesses of the settlement,
including the problems faced by new states.
The Armistice
An armistice is when both sides agree to stop fighting
while a peace treaty is negotiated.
• The Armistice was an agreement signed by representatives of France, Great Britain and
Germany. It was an agreement to end fighting as a prelude to peace negotiations.
• The signing of The Armistice took place in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage in the Forest of
Compiègne, about 37 miles (60 km) north of Paris.
• The Armistice began on 11th November 1918 at 11am - the eleventh hour of the eleventh day
of the eleventh month. The Armistice itself was agreed 6 hours earlier at 5am with the first
term of it being that fighting would end at 11am.
• The Treaty of Versailles signed six months later would act as the peace treaty between the
nations.
• All fighting was to cease at 11am.
• Germany was ordered to give up 2,500 heavy guns, 2,500 field guns, 25,000 machine
guns, 1,700 aeroplanes and all submarines. They were also asked to hand over their High
Seas Fleet. (warships)
• Immediate release of all French, British and Italian prisoners of war
• Immediate removal of all German troops from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Alsace-
Lorraine within 14 days and the area to the west of the Rhine.
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The Aims of the Peace Makers - Paris Peace Conference 1919
In January 1919 people from the Allied countries met in Paris. The defeated countries were not
allowed to join them, nor were Russia, as the allies did not trust communism.
Woodrow Wilson of
happen.
League of Nations.
want revenge.
which would resolve disputes
from the war as they only
joined the conflict in 1917
and could take a detached
view of events.
punished but not too
revenge in the future.
British naval supremacy and
Germany’s economy strong.
the British public who
Kaiser" and "Make Germany
soft he would have been
voted out as PM.
Lloyd George hated the
He wanted revenge on
public wanted to see
Germany pay for the
from Germany.
could not attack France
Always
Agree
1. No more secret agreements between countries – open diplomacy
2. Free seas
3. Free trade.
5. Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair.
6. Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. All German
troops will leave Russian soil.
7. German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country.
8. France will regain Alsace-Lorraine.
9. The borders of Italy will be established such that all Italians will be within the country of Italy.
10. Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country.
11. The Central Powers will evacuate Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania leaving them as independent countries.
12. The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country.
13. Poland will be an independent country.
14. A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or
Military Restrictions
Conscription was banned
The navy could only have 6 battleships
The Rhineland was demilitarised – this meant that no German troops were allowed
into this area near the French border.
Territorial Changes
Saar was under the
control of the League of Nations, but the coalfields were controlled by France for 15 years
Danzig became a free city under League of Nations control
German lost all its overseas colonies
Germany was forbidden to join with Austria (Anschluss )
War Guilt
Reparations
Germany had to pay for the damage caused by the war. The sum was
fixed in 1921 at the huge figure of £6600 million. Germany was
supposed to pay a certain amount each year.
League of Nations An organisation to keep world peace was set up. Germany was not allowed
to join.
the Rhineland
have any army
supremacy over Germany
were so unhappy
of Nations
Harshness of the treaty
Country Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles
Propaganda during the war taught the British to hate the Germans.
Lots of soldiers had been killed or wounded
British people generally thought the Treaty was fair, and could have
been even harsher
Lloyd George was hailed as a hero, and newspapers said that Britain
would never be threatened by Germany again
Many people in France were very angry. They believed that the treaty
was nowhere near harsh enough and that Germany should suffer as
much as France had during the war
People felt Clemenceau had not done enough to get revenge for France
and he was voted out of office
There were a few terms that the people of France liked, such as
gaining control of the Saar and its coalfields for 15 years
USA had only joined the war in 1917 and no fighting took place on US
soil, so Americans did not want revenge or compensation in the same
way that the British and French did
Many people felt that the Treaty was too harsh, including Wilson
USA wanted to follow a policy of isolationism
The US Senate refused to approve the treaty or to allow the |USA to
join the League of Nations
Why did the
was uncertainty about how the country
would be run.
responsible for the war – the Kaiser – had
been punished, so there was no need for
further punishment
defend themselves they
as Czechoslovakia and
military tradition which the
taken away.
was forced upon on them and they were
not allowed to negotiate the terms. They
called it the Diktat - dictated peace
The war guilt clause meant
that the Germans had to
admit to a lie – they had
not been the only country
responsible for starting the
other countries.
- but the Treaty forced Germans to live in
other countries. Germany lost between 6 and
7 million people. In Eastern Europe about
1.5 million German speaking people had been
placed under the control of Poland. Germans
were also angry that they could not unite
with the Austrian Germans. Germany was also
split into two by the Polish Corridor
People were starving because of the
British blockade. People were
not know how they cope with the
punishments they were now facing -
e.g. the reparations
9
Strengths of the Treaty of Versailles Weaknesses of the Treaty of Versailles
The treaty brought peace to Europe
An international organisation the League
of Nations was set up to preserve peace
The Treaty was not as harsh as it might
have been. The Brest Litovsk treaty made
with Germany and Russia in 1018 had been
extremely harsh on Russia.
country. It was a barrier to the spread of
Communism
contradicted the Fourteen Points
Germany would want revenge
The Treaty contributed to instability in
Germany – an atmosphere of chaos and
weak government led to the rise of
extremist parties like the Nazis
Wilson had too much faith in the power of
the League of Nations to solve problems.
Treaties with Germany’s Allies
Country Austria Bulgaria Hungary Turkey
Name of Treaty Treaty of St
Germain
Treaty of Neuilly Treaty of Trianon Treaty of Sevres
Date 10th Sept 1919 27th Nov 1919 4th June 1920 10th Aug 1920
Land Land taken to
with Germany
Poland – was created from land taken from Germany and Russia.
The Germans living in Poland were unhappy.
Poland had no natural borders and was not easily defended.
Germany was split by the Polish Corridor – causing more resentment.
Part two: The League of Nations and international peace
The League of Nations: its formation and covenant; organisation; membership and how it changed; the powers of the
League; the work of the League's agencies; the contribution of the League to peace in the 1920s, including the
successes and failures of the League, such as the Aland Islands, Upper Silesia, Vilna, Corfu and Bulgaria.
Aim
Articles or laws that members had to
agree to follow. The most important
article said that members of the
League would act together to ensure
any member threatened with war was
protected by the other members.
This was known as Collective
Security.
1. The disputing members agreed to
go to the League to discuss the
problem. Talks not force. The
aggressor should be condemned
2. If this did not work economic
sanctions were to be imposed –
cutting off trade with the
aggressor.
take military action against the
aggressor. (Collective Security)
the 1930’s this had become 59.
Defeated countries were at first
not allowed to join, nor was
Russia because it was Communist.
The League was the idea of
Woodrow Wilson of USA – but
USA did not join – which
weakened the League.
Many Americans hated the
European affairs
Presidential Election
outside power.
The Council
several times a year and for
emergencies. In 1920 its
members were Britain, France,
included non-permanent
unanimous.
to the Assembly. It met once a year
at the League’s headquarters in
Geneva. They fixed the League’s
budget.
service. They kept records of
meetings and prepared reports.
linguists
This was intended to settle
disputes peacefully. It was based at The Hague. It was made up of judges from member countries.
No Army
standing army - this was a
weakness
12
13
refugees fleeing Germany
Leone
Dispute Date Events Success Failure
Vilna
invaded
L of N did nothing
Poland kept Vilna
and aggression had
Plebiscite held on who showed own this
land = Germany won by 60% - Poland
complained
L of N decided to divide the land
between Germany and Poland
Decision to give Finland the islands but
no forts or military to be placed there
Accepted.
Italy and in return they withdrew their
troops
afraid of a dictator
L of N ordered Greece to withdraw and
pay compensation
began. USA were a super power who
traded with all the world. Other
economies quickly went into Depression.
L of N unable to help
World Depression -
desperate times.
Diplomacy outside the League: Locarno treaties and the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
Locarno Treaties
Who? France and Germany represented by their foreign ministers – Briand
and Stresemann
When? 1925
What? The two enemies agreed to work together peacefully
Germany accepted the terms of the T of V
Other countries like Britain and Italy signed. Each country
Agreed not to go to war with each other, if one country broke the
treaties the others would support the country that was invaded
Why wasn’t the League
involved?
Germany suggested the treaties and it was not a member of the
League of Nations
significant?
It seemed that Germany was accepting the T of V, especially the
terms about territory and was trying to become a peaceful nation
Relationships between countries, especially France and Germany
improved. This paved the way to Germany being allowed to join
the L of N
The L of N should have been leading the way on such an important
agreement, especially since it involved two of the L of N’s
powerful members, Britain and France
16
When? 1928
Where? Paris
What? The countries agreed war would not be used to solve disputes
between them
involved?
Germany and USA were not members of L of N
Why were the treaties
significant?
The fact that the L of N was not involved made it look like it was a
place to talk, not for actual solutions, and this damaged its
reputation
navies
disarmament and countries like GB and
France attended independently of the L of N
Rapello Treaty
The L of N was not involved as Germany and
Russia were not members of the L of N
Comment
The L of N was set up to encourage cooperation between countries to stop war. Therefore, you
would expect the L of N to be involved in all major international discussions, conferences and
agreements. However – this did not always happen – the L of N was left out of some major
international agreements.
Part two: The League of Nations and international peace
The collapse of the League: the effects of the Depression; the Manchurian and Abyssinian
crises and their consequences; the failure of the League to avert war in 1939.
Background
In many countries, the 1920’s were an exciting time. People had survived the
war and life was getting back to normal. People wanted to celebrate.
Countries were willing to work together to make sure that these good times
never ended. But in 1929 the USA was suddenly plunged into an economic
depression and everything changed.
• Panic on Wall Street as stocks crash. 29th October shareholders
lost a total of $8000 million in one day. Share prices continue to fall
for the next few weeks.
Results
money back.
• Industries all over the world lost a valuable market for trade –
profits dropped
• People looked for strong leaders who could help their country
recover. People turned to extremists – Hitler and Mussolini
• Countries were too busy with their own problems to support
the League of Nations
How did the Great Depression affect the L of N?
Hitler and Mussolini were not afraid to use violence to get what they wanted. They were not
interested in Collective Security. They were not scared by moral condemnation.
To fight aggressive dictators the L of N needed an army. The L of N did not have an army and so
asked members to use their armies, but countries didn’t want the expense of a war during the
Depression.
The only sanction the L of N could use was economic sanctions but in a time of economic crisis
countries were unwilling to stop trading with others, as this would create more unemployment and
hurt their own people.
South Manchurian Railway just outside the city of
Mukden. The Japanese owned this railway and said
that it was sabotaged by the Chinese. (In fact, the
explosion was caused by the Japanese) They used
this as an excuse to invade Manchuria with their
troops. Soon they took over all of Manchuria and renamed it Manchuko. They put the
deposed last emperor of China, Pu Yi in control as a puppet ruler.
Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan was suffering from the Depression and the
military leaders felt that invasion would solve
economic problems
space
coal and iron
China was weak as it was fighting a civil war
Japan had interests in Manchuria – the railway
Japan argued Manchuria would act as a buffer against
USSR and communism
Japan was in the control of military leaders who felt war
would make Japan stronger
China and Japan were both members of the League of
Nations. China appealed to the League for help.
The League condemned Japan’s actions and told them to withdraw their troops. The Japanese
did not do this.
The League then set up the Lytton Commission to look into the crisis, which took almost a
year. The Lytton Report found Japan guilty of forcibly seizing part of China’s territory. China
was asked to return Manchuria. Japan refused and kept the land. Japan then went on to
attack other areas of China taking over Jehol. Japan left the League in 1933.
19
Consequences
The Members had not followed
the procedures set out by the
Covenant. The Members of the
League had not imposed
not want to lose further trade in
the time of Depression. The
League did not use military
action.
wanted to take military action in
case Japan attacked their
colonies in the Far East. Britain and France had put “self interest” first.
The Lytton Report was seen as “face saving”
The world learnt that aggression paid –Mussolini invaded Abyssinia in 1935
Japan withdrew from the League and eventually drew closer to the dictators Mussolini and
Hitler.
was finished, Japan was
in control of Manchuria
the countries in Europe.
want to commit
resources to dealing
of N continued to trade
with aggressors
Haile Selassie - Ruler of
Adowa.
others.
Events
In December 1934 Italian troops provoked a clash with Abyssinians at
Wal Wal as an excuse for war.
In October 1935 Italy invaded from the north from Italian owned
Eritrea and form the south east from Italian owned Somaliland.
The Abyssinian forces stood little chance against the modern army of
Italy. Abyssinia took a long time as it was a huge country and had poor
roads
The League of Nations
Abyssinia and Italy were both members of the League of Nations. Haile Selassie appealed
to the League for help. The League condemned Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia. The League
then imposed economic sanctions but did not include oil, coal and iron – commodities which
would have stopped Italy’s invasion. The League did not use force to stop Italy.
In December 1935 The Hoare Laval Pact was drawn up. This was leaked by the press and
due to a public outcry was never put into action. This pact was drawn up by French foreign
secretary Pierre Laval and British Foreign secretary Samuel Hoare. This proposed giving
large areas of Abyssinia to Mussolini if he withdrew his troops. Abyssinia would be reduced
to half its size.
In June 1936 Haile Selassie went to Geneva and addressed the League in person but was
jeered by the Italians and got no further help. In July 1936 the sanctions against Italy
were dropped. Italy kept Abyssinia.
21
Consequences
The League was again seen as weak.
The success of the League depended on Britain and France, but they had not wanted to
take strong measures. Both countries did not want war with Italy. The Hoare Laval Pact
showed how weak Britain and France were and so Italy continued with the invasion. They
also allowed Italy to use the Suez Canal
Britain and France showed that they cared more about their own interests
Countries lost faith in the League and its ideals. Collective Security did not work.
Mussolini was upset by the actions of the League and he moved closer to Hitler and in
1936 signed the Rome –Berlin Axis.
In 1937 Italy left the League
Dictators such as Hitler saw that aggression paid.
Small countries knew the L of N would do nothing to protect them.
From this time onwards, almost no one saw the L of N as a serious or powerful
organisation
imposed trade
felt this would
sales of arms to
willing to undermine
own self interest
Membership Issues
USA was not a member of L of N – so any economic sanctions the L of N imposed would not be
binding on them. This weakened the L of N.
USSR was also not a member of the L of N - until 1934 - again weakening the L of N
Germany was not allowed to join the L of N until 1926. Stopping the defeated nations of WW I
from joining made the L of N seem like a winners club.
Japan and Italy both left the L of N
22
League of Nations
an outside agency.
League. League was therefore weakened.
USA could continue to trade with countries
if League imposed economic sanctions
The League of Nations
army
was military action. Nations by
the Covenant promised to send
troops if needed.
action. The League never used military
action. League had limited power.
USSR was not allowed to
join at first
they were Communist.
the time they joined.
Germany and some other
countries not allowed to
The countries that lost WW I
were not allowed to join the
League at first.
winners. An organisation for peace should
include all.
always cooperate.
avoid war. Smaller countries could not rely
on the bigger nations to help them.
GB and France did not
want to annoy Japan.
were reluctant to use military
actions. The Lytton report was
just “face saving”
France were the leading countries but were
unwilling to use military actions or
economic sanctions.
want to upset Italy
with Mussolini by offering him
half of Abyssinia - the Hoare
Laval Pact
public was shocked. The reputation of
these countries was dented.
invaded for land, resources and
living space.
had failed to protect Manchuria.
Aggression was seen to win. Japan showed
they were not scared of moral
condemnation.
invaded for land and resources.
Italy left the League and drew closer to
Germany by the Rome Berlin Axis
agreement. Italy showed they were not
scared of moral condemnation.
year. Votes on the Council had to
be unanimous.
keeping process. Italy and Japan were both
Council members -so could delay actions.
World was suffering
trade was weak. People turned to
extremist dictators such as
League of Nations did not want to use
economic sanctions as this would cause
member countries to have less trade and
might lead to more job losses. Hitler
invaded more and more countries and the
League did nothing, this eventually led to
WW II
Second World War
reactions; the Dollfuss Affair; the Saar; German
rearmament, including conscription; the Stresa Front; Anglo-
German Naval Agreement.
Hitler’s aims and expansionist policies
To reverse the Treaty of Versailles – to build up German armed forces and
retrieve the lands lost in 1919
Unite all German speaking peoples – to create a Greater Germany by uniting all
Germans in one homeland (There were Germans in the Sudetenland in
Czechoslovakia and the Treaty of Versailles had forbidden Anschluss with
Austria)
To expand into the East to gain Lebensraum – living space for the German
people (Hitler saw the Slavic people who lived in Poland and Russia as inferior)
To destroy Communism
France
GB and France did not want to start another war, so they let Hitler get away with
breaking the T of V, even though it was international law. They did this because:
The needed time to rearm, their armies were not big enough to fight and win a war
Many people in GB thought Hitler was being reasonable because the T of V was too
harsh
They were concerned about USSR and thought Hitler could be a valuable ally against
Communism
Countries could not afford to go to war during the Depression and their
governments were preoccupied with problems at home
People could remember the horrors of WW I: they did not want another war
The policy followed by GB and France from 1937 was called Appeasement: they tried
to give Hitler what he wanted in hope of preventing war
Reaction of
USSR and
USA
Stalin was worried about Hitler’s aim to destroy Communism. Stalin wanted to work with
the Allies to protect USSR
USA followed a policy of isolationism. They did not want to get involved in another
European war.
German Rearmament
In 1933 he withdrew from the World
Disarmament Conference on the grounds that no
other power was prepared to disarm.
He started to build up the German army. He
introduced conscription in 1935.
Factories were turned over to the making of weapons.
In 1935 Hitler signed a naval treaty with Britain (Anglo German Naval Agreement) which
allowed Germany to build a fleet as long as it was no bigger than 35% of the British fleet.
Comment A term of the Treaty of Versailles had been broken
Britain felt that the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh and were sympathetic to
Hitler wanting to rearm Germany. A strong Germany would be a block to the spread of
Communism
1934 – Hitler signed a ten year non-aggression pact with Poland.
This stated that German would not try to take back the Polish Corridor.
Hitler appeared to be peaceful.
1934 – Dolfuss affair. Dollfuss was the Chancellor of Austria he was murdered by the
Nazis.
By the Treaty of Versailles, the Saar coalfield
had been put under the control of France for 15
years. In 1935 the Saar had a plebiscite, 90% of
the people voted to return to Germany.
Consequences
This was a great boost for Hitler. As the new leader of Germany this confirmed his
popularity.
The Saar gave valuable resources to Germany – coal and iron.
Propaganda celebrated this event.
Comment - Another term of the T of V had been removed
March 1935 Rearmament
Hitler held a rally. He announced that he had been rebuilding the German army and was
reintroducing conscription. He had also started to develop the Luftwaffe.
April; 1935 Stresa Front
work together against Hitler as the Stresa
Front
Anglo German Naval Agreement with
Germany. This allowed Germany to have a navy
that was 35% the size of the British navy.
Comment - Hitler realised that GB was
allowing him to break the T of V.
Part three: The origins and outbreak of the Second World War
Escalation of tension: remilitarisation of the Rhineland; Mussolini, the Axis and the Anti-
Comintern Pact; Anschluss; reasons for and against the policy of appeasement; the Sudeten
Crisis and Munich; the ending of appeasement.
Rhineland 1936
By the T of V the Rhineland had been demilitarised –
Germanys forts had been pulled down in this area
and no German troops were allowed to enter
In March 1936 Hitler ordered his troops to cross
the bridges over the Rhine and occupy the Rhineland.
(against the Treaty of Versailles)
This was a risk for Hitler as his army was ill
prepared and all his generals had secret orders to
retreat at the first sign of opposition. The German
army was ill equipped, Hitler was taking a huge
gamble.
and French were unwilling to fight. The
British said Germany was only
reclaiming what rightfully belonged to
Germany. Hitler’s confidence was
boosted.
Rhineland
action
Depression was causing problems,
The British said “the Germans were only
going into their own back garden”
It was German land and Hitler had a
right to defend his own borders
The British were preoccupied with the
Abyssinian Crisis
Many French soldiers were in Tunisia in
case they were needed to intervene in
the Abyssinian Crisis
was big and stronger than it was and
felt they would not win in battle against
it.
27
Comment/Consequences
At the time the League of Nations and Britain and France were more concerned with the
Abyssinian Crisis and saw Mussolini as more of a threat.
Hitler was uncertain of success and had given orders to his generals at the first sign of
opposition to retreat – the fact that his gamble had paid off was a confidence boost
Hitler was even more popular with the people of Germany
A term of the Treaty of Versailles (peace treaty) had been broken.
The buffer zone, set up to protect France had now gone
France had wanted to show force but would not act without Britain. Britain though the Treaty
of Versailles was too harsh, and that German had a right to defend their own land. Germany
was “only going into their own back garden”
Hitler only respected military action – the fact that Britain and France had bigger armies but
did not use them - showed Hitler that we were weak
Britain and France had the opportunity to stop Hitler - a chance was missed
October 25th 1936
These two leaders were now friends.
It showed Hitler was powerful
November 1936 Hitler signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan
They agreed to work together against the threat of Communism.
Italy later joined the alliance when it agreed to the Pact of Steel with
Germany in 1939
Austria 1938 – Anschluss
forbidden. In 1938 Hitler joined with Austria. He
entered the country in triumph. In a plebiscite the
Nazi’s claimed 99.75% agreed with the Anschluss.
Why did Hitler want to join with Austria?
Hitler was Austrian
peoples.
There was already a strong Nazi Party in Austria.
Events 1934 – Dolfuss Affair
Hitler’s earlier attempt to annex Austria in 1934 had failed – despite
assassinating the Austrian leader Dolfuss there was opposition from Mussolini
and Hitler decided not to invade.
1938 - Hitler was in a much stronger position
In 1938 Hitler was in a much more
powerful position. He had built up his
armed forces and was now an ally of Italy.
(Rome Berlin Axis) The League of Nations
had been shown to be weak and there
were Nazis in the Austrian government.
Anschluss – the Events
There was a strong Nazi party in Austria. Hitler began by ordering the
Austrian Nazi Party to make as much trouble as it could. The Austrian
Nazis held parades and marches, set buildings on fire, let off bombs and
organised fights.
When the Austrian government banned the Nazi Party, Hitler held a
meeting with the Austrian leader, Chancellor Schuschnigg. Hitler
threatened to invade Austria unless Schuschnigg gave all important jobs in
his government to Nazis.
Schuschnigg compromised by appointing the Nazi
Seyss-Inquart as Minister of the Interior.
France, and Britain both refused to help Austria so on March 9th,
1938 Schuschnigg announced his intention to hold a plebiscite to
allow the Austrian people to decide for themselves whether to join
with Germany or not. Hitler moved troops to the Austrian border
and demanded that Schuschnigg call off the plebiscite. Schuschnigg
had no choice but to comply and resign.
Seyss-Inquart, Nazi Minister of the Interior became the new
Chancellor of Austria and immediately asked Hitler to send the German army into Austria
to help restore order.
13th March by ‘invitation’.
that 99.75 per cent of voters agreed with
Anschluss. Along with the German army
came the Gestapo and the SS to deal with
opponents of the Nazis.
Another term of the T of V had been broken
Hitler was more powerful and confident
Hitler had taken over a whole county – that had never been German – he gained men for his
army and resources
Austria now became part of Germany.
Czechoslovakia was going to be the next target as the new Germany surrounded more of this
country.
GB and France accepted the plebiscite result – and again appeared weak
Hitler had achieved another foreign policy aim – Greater Germany (uniting German speaking
people)
Austria ceased to be a separate country and became part of Germany
Country Reaction to Anschluss
Austria
99% of people in the plebiscite voted in favour of the
Anschluss. Stormtroopers stood outside polling
stations and the ballot paper showed clearly which way
people should vote.
opposed Hitler were arrested.
GB Many thought the T of V was too harsh. Some felt Austria and Germany were very
similar and so should unite
France
Two days before the Anschluss the whole French government had resigned. France
was in no position to get involved.
Germany
his foreign policy of creating a Greater
Germany – uniting German people
Czechoslovakia was going to be the next target
as the new Germany surrounded more of this
country.
Czechoslovakia were Slavs and to Hitler were
untermenschen (subhuman)
them if Hitler invaded
Crisis
Appeasement = The name for British and French policies towards the dictators in the later 1930’s. It means to make concessions to avoid war.
Arguments For Appeasement Arguments Against Appeasement
Many people in Britain were in favour of
Appeasement. Many had seen the horrors
of WW I and wanted to avoid another war
There was a strong peace movement in
Britain
back what had rightfully belonged to
Germany.
prepare
barrier to the spread of Communism in
Europe.
Hitler became stronger
agreements especially T of V. We gave
away parts of countries that did not
belong to us e.g. Sudetenland
Chamberlain misjudged Hitler – he was
not a man of honour and would not be
satisfied.
Prime Minister of Britain
Chamberlain’s approach was to find out what Hitler wanted and
show him that if his claims were reasonable, they could be
discussed.
Chamberlain believed that the T of V had been too harsh on
Germany
He believed that Hitler did want to live in peace with the rest of
the world.
The Sudeten Crisis and Munich Agreement, 1938
Hitler wanted to take over Sudetenland/Czechoslovakia because:
He hated the Czechs because they were Slavs. Hitler believed in Aryan supremacy
Hitler had a foreign policy aim of Lebensraum
He wanted the wealth and resources of this country. There were coal and iron ore fields
as well as the Skoda arms works
In the Sudetenland there were German speaking people which he wanted to unite with to
create a greater Germany.
Hitler said that the Sudetenland Germans were being persecuted
In the Sudetenland was also all the defences of Czechoslovakia – once he controlled this
area then he could easily take over all the country.
Czechoslovakia had been created by the T of V. By taking Czechoslovakia, Hitler would be
again destroying the T of V
Events
In April 1938 Hitler began to put pressure on the Sudetenland. Hitler put his troops on the Czech
border and ordered Nazis in the Sudetenland to demand separation. The Czechs mobilised their
army but knew they were no match for Hitler. They asked for help. Chamberlain wanted to avoid
war and felt a peaceful solution could be found. So, Chamberlain met with Hitler on three
occasions in 1938.
15th September 1938 - Berchtesgarden – Hitler demanded some of the Sudetenland
22nd September 1938 - Godesberg – Hitler demanded all the Sudetenland
30th September 1938 - Munich – Britain and France gave in to Hitler’s demands.
Munich Agreement
Germany and Mussolini of Italy
Czechoslovakia and USSR were not
invited
Sudetenland
over Czechoslovakia.
with each other again.
Chamberlain was seen by many as a hero who had
“won peace in our time”.
Comment/Consequences
their armed forces.
they had to accept the decision, their army was no
match for Hitler’s
Stalin the leader of Russia was upset at being left
out of the discussions and felt Britain and France
would not support USSR if Hitler moved against Poland or Russia.
All the defences of Czechoslovakia were in the Sudetenland – Czechoslovakia was now
vulnerable
33
10th
October
1938
Part three: The origins and outbreak of the Second World War
The outbreak of war: the occupation of Czechoslovakia; the role of the USSR and the Nazi-
Soviet Pact; the invasion of Poland and outbreak of war, September 1939; responsibility for
the outbreak of war, including that of key individuals: Hitler, Stalin and Chamberlain.
Czechoslovakia March 1939
completely ignored the Munich Agreement.
Comment
Hitler had proved he could not keep his promises – he
was clearly an aggressor
was pursuing his aim of Lebensraum
France and Britain began to rearm
The Anglo German Agreement was now as worthless as the Munich Agreement
It was now clear that Hitler’s next target would be Poland
23rd March 1939 Hitler takes the territory of Memel from Lithuania
April 1939 Britain and France guarantee the frontiers of Poland
22nd May 1939 Pact of Steel
Agreement between Germany and Italy.
Hitler and Mussolini agree to help each other in the event of a
war.
The world was shocked that USSR and
Germany had signed an agreement.
Politically each were enemies. (Hitler hated
Communists and Stalin hated Fascists)
The agreement said that the two countries
would not attack each other.
In secret it was decided to divide Poland up
between USSR and Germany
Hitler signed the Treaty because: Stalin signed the Treaty because:
Hitler did not
want to fight
agreement with
He could attack the West without fear
of attack in the East from USSR
Stalin wanted to
Agreement – he believed that GB and
France would prefer a strong Germany
to stop the spread of Communism
USSR would gain part of Poland
Comment/Consequences
would attack
GB and France had lost their “old” ally
on Poland
ultimatum – to withdraw his troops.
This failed and at 11am Britain declared war
on Germany.
that GB and France would back down. He was
wrong.
to build up his armed forces
Hitler exploited the
Czechoslovakia and the
justified – they were not
aggressor - his aim of
Lebensraum would cause war
Hitler made alliances and
for war - Pact of Steel and
the Nazi Soviet Pact
demand more
taken action - e.g.
make changes to the T of V
– it was dangerous for
Communism.
Hitler knew that USA
would not get involved
Who was responsible for the outbreak of WW II?
Hitler It is easy to argue that Hitler's actions pushed a Europe, which was
desperate to be reasonable, into war.
His invasions of Czechoslovakia and Poland went beyond correcting the
mistakes of Versailles
He had aggressive foreign policies of Greater Germany and Lebensraum
Chamberlain Missed opportunities to stop Hitler, because of his appeasement.
Failed to act when Hitler entered the Rhineland.
Gave the Sudetenland away – made Hitler stronger
Excluded Stalin from Munich Conference – led him to sign Nazi Soviet Pact
Stalin Signed Nazi Soviet Pact despite Hitler hating Communism
Gave Hitler a powerful ally
Hitler would not have to fight on two fronts – so made invasion of Poland
easier
Mussolini Invaded Abyssinia and destroyed people’s confidence in the L of N
Did not Anschluss in 1938
Signed Anti Comintern Pact and Pact of Steel
Japan Invaded Manchuria and left L of N
Signed Anti Comintern Pact and Pact of Steel
Big Three T of V was resented by Germany
T of V inspired Hitler’s foreign policy
Made felt T of V too harsh and turned a blind eye when Hitler broke it
America USA followed a policy of Isolationism
Made L of N weak by not joining and made L of N economic sanctions
useless
• It was supposed to keep the peace, but it failed.
• It was too ambitious and badly organised.
• It did not have an army
• The group was betrayed by America, Britain and France and it was
destroyed by Japan and Italy.
Great
Depression
• In the 1930’s desperate times meant that countries failed to co-operate.
• USA demanded loans back form Germany. Germany fell into Depression
• Desperate people turned to extremists like Hitler.
Communism GB and France feared Communism
Gb and France allowed Hitler to grow stronger as they thought Germany
would act as a buffer zone against Communism
GB and France upset Stalin by not inviting him to Munich – Stalin then
signed Nazi Soviet Past
Exam Questions
Paper 1 – 1 hour and 45 minutes exam - 50% of GCSE
• Section A – six compulsory questions (40 marks)
• Section B – four compulsory questions (40 marks)
• Plus 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar
Conflict and Tension is on Paper 1 Section B. Section B has 4 questions.
You should spend 50 minutes on this section
Timings
Question Type 1 - Opinion of a Source
Example
Source D A cartoon published in Britain in February 1919 entitled ‘Giving Him Rope’.
GIVING HIM ROPE
German Criminal (to
enough I may be able to
wiggle out of this yet!
Study Source D.
Source D opposes Germany. How do you know?
Explain your answer by using Source D and your contextual knowledge.
[4 marks]
How to tackle this question type
1.Use the content of the source
2. Give the context and /or provenance of the source to explain how the source supports the
statement in the question. (use your own knowledge in support)
40
Example
ANALYSIS
because in the source……..
represents the world’s problems in 1919. The
tired world is encouraged to move on as in the
distance there is hut which offers light and
shelter. The hut represents the League of
Nations and the nearby signs pointing to it
mention common understanding, which means
the League will work to support all countries.
Contextual Knowledge
the League as in 1919 the First World War
had only just ended and 20 million were dead.
The world had serious problems and the
League offered peace by getting nations to
discuss problems and offered a structured
way to solve disputes without resorting to war.
There were millions of POWs that needed the
help of a world organisation to repatriate
them. There were millions of refugees who
needed help such as the 1.5 million homeless
people in Russia. Other problems the world
needed solving were slavery, health and
drugs……………….
41
Published in December 1919
is weak. How do you know?
Explain your answer using Source D and
your contextual knowledge. [4 marks]
Content
weak because…..
stone which is USA is not there
Uncle Sam – USA – is just resting on the
side – not getting involved
League strong
the elections –USA followed policy of
isolationism
European dominated club
Question Type 2 Usefulness of Sources
Example Study Sources E and F.
How useful are Sources E and F to a historian studying opinions about the Treaty of
Versailles?
Explain your answer using Sources E and F and your contextual knowledge. [12 marks]
Source E A German newspaper cartoon
published in July 1919, entitled ‘Clemenceau
the Vampire’. The figure on the bed
represents Germany
Consequences of the Peace’ published in 1919.
Keynes was a leading economist who worked
for the British government but resigned in
protest three weeks before the Treaty of
Versailles was signed.
parents or of rulers. The Treaty includes no
provisions for the economic recovery of
Europe - nothing to make the defeated
Central Empires into good neighbours. The Big
Three were preoccupied with other issues -
Clemenceau to crush the economic life of his
enemy, Lloyd George to bring home something
that would be acceptable for a week, the
President to do nothing that was not just and
right.”
P - Provenance
• Using author, place, time it was created etc to determine purpose
A - Analysis
inference?
the historical period?
Example Study Sources B and C.
How useful are Sources B and C to a historian studying the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
Explain your answer using Sources E and F and your contextual knowledge. [12 marks]
Source B
crossing one of the Rhine bridges March 1936
Source C
about the remilitarisation of the Rhineland.
He was a senior adviser to the British
government.
their own back garden.”
Example How useful are Sources D and E to a historian studying reasons why the League of
Nations failed?
Explain your answer using Sources D and E and your contextual knowledge. [12 marks] Source C
This cartoon of 1933, by the British cartoonist David
Low, is entitled: 'The Doormat'. It shows a Japanese
soldier trampling all over the League.
Source E
Neville Chamberlain (10 June 1936),
reported in The Times (11 June 1936
“The policy of collective security seemed
to us and the country, an attractive
alternative to the old system of alliances
and balance of power which led to the
greatest war in history. In the recent
dispute between Italy and Abyssinian,
collective security has failed. The
aggression was patent and flagrant.
……There is no use for us to shut our eyes
to realities ... That policy has been tried
out and it has failed to prevent war, failed
to stop war, failed to save the victim of
the aggression.”
comment on weakness of L of N
Analysis – Japan walking all over the L
of N - face saving being used
CK – L of N did not follow 3 steps.
Instead did moral condemnation and the
Lytton Report
Not useful
CK – source does not give the full story. No
details on actions of L of N, Lytton report and
actions of Japan in Manchuria. Does not
explain self-interest of GB and France
Source D
knowledgeable, audience British public
It offered hope, all would work
together to help the weaker members,
but it has not happened particularly in
Abyssinia invaded by Mussolini
was and covenant and some details on
events in Abyssinian and L of N actions
Not useful
Minister will later use Appeasement =- as
alternate to L of N
No mention of Hoare Laval Pact – GB as guilty
as all nations at doing deals with Aggressors
45
Example Study Sources E and F. How useful are Sources E and F to a historian studying the failure
of the League of Nations over Abyssinian? Explain your answer using Sources E and F and your contextual
knowledge. [12 marks]
magazine, August 1935. (A memorandum is a type
of note.)
Source F
British Foreign Secretary after the resignation
of Sir Samuel Hoare, explaining to Parliament why
sanctions should be ended, June 1937
“There was a very good reason for the League
to enforce the particular sanctions they
choose, because with an incomplete membership
they were the only ones they could impose and
which by their own action alone they could hope
to see effective. Oil could not be made
effective by League action alone.
I think it is right that the League should admit
that sanctions have not realised their purpose
and should face that fact.”
46
Examples
Write an account of how events in Manchuria became an international crisis
in the years 1931 to 1933
Write an account of how problems relating to the Sudetenland led to an
international crisis in 1938.
How to tackle this question type
You need to show understanding of sequencing and/or connections. You need to
have knowledge and understanding of the complexities of the historical situation.
Use CCC
Consequences
Example
Write an account of how Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia led to Italy leaving the
League of Nations
47
Example Write an account of how the Nazis achieved Anschluss in March1938.
Cause Hitler wanted to defy the Treaty of Versailles, He was Austrian
He wanted the resources and people, There was a Nazi party already in Austria. In 1934
when he had first attempted Anschluss he had been stopped by Mussolini – now Italy
was his ally – Rome Berlin Axis Agreement. Hitler was more confident as he had taken
the Rhineland.
Chronology • Riots in Austria caused by the Nazis. Schuschnigg bans the Nazi Party in Austria
• Schuschnigg meets Hitler – Hitler had demands. Schuschnigg puts one Nazi in the
government, Seyss Inquart. Schuschnigg calls a plebiscite
• Hitler puts troops on borders of Austria
• Britain and France refused to help. Plebiscite stopped. Schuschnigg resigns. Seyss
Inquart becomes Chancellor, Hitler invited in to restore order
• Hitler enters in triumph
Consequence • Anschluss achieved without a fight
• Hitler has resources and people – a whole country is now German
• GB and France are seen as weak
• T of V another term destroyed
• Greater Germany achieved
• Czechoslovakia now even more surrounded and will be the next target
• Hitler’s confidence had grown
48
Examples
‘The main reason why Germany hated the Treaty of Versailles was because of its military
terms.’
Explain your answer.
‘The Nazi-Soviet Pact was the main reason for the outbreak of the Second World War in
1939.’
Explain your answer
How to tackle this type of question
You need to identify and explain factors
You need to show understanding of cause, consequence, change and/or continuity.
You are asked to make a sustained judgement.
Structure
question
SPaG on this question
49
Example
‘The policy of Appeasement was the main reason for the outbreak of the Second World
War in 1939.’
50
Example
51
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