International response to Italian and German aggression Key consepts; consequence, change and significance

Appeasement and Why? Appeasement was a diplomatic policy of making concessions to nations ( Germany, Italy) in order to avoid conflicts. British foreign policy; France followed the British approach Failed to prevent the outbreak of war! Pacifism, the role of public opinion ( women, the number of voters in Britain from 8 to 21 million) The League of Nations for collective security

Why? According to many British politicians; The Versailles Treaty had been too harsh→ Hitler´s grievances were fair enough and Britain could negotiate with Hitler and Mussolini Threat of Communism made British politicials to chooce Hitler and Mussolini instead of Stalin No other alternative policy to be followed Economic pressures, WWI, W.S.C, Ten- Year Rule Global commitments for the defence of the Empire more important than its obligations to Europe

Defence priorities: Britain should be ready to repulse air attacks and other threats for its Empire The role of Neville Chamberlain - Became PM in 1937, he detested war and wanted to resolve international crises and to use diplomacy rather than war. He had little faith in the League or in British allies. Britain could make a deal with Hitler!

The French approach The French population wanted punished and permanently weakened, but France was alone ( USA back to isolation, Britain for more lenient approach..) Failures: the Ruhr Crisis, Anglo-American guarantee of the post –war settlement→ France had to go for the Appeasement ( Dawes, Locarno, the evacuation of the French troops from the Rhineland) France signed bilateral agreement throughout 1920´s ( Belgium, Poland, Czech, Romania and Yugoslavia Economic problems and the instability within the governments ( continual changes meant that there was little continuity in how to deal with Hitler

Establishment of the Popular Front in France ( an alliance of left- wing-parties) made the French situation created more tension between the right and the left

The role of the League of Nations and the USA and the Soviet Union See p. 198-200

The international response to the Italian invasion of the Abyssinia, 1935-36 and the Italian invasion of Albania, 1939 Source practice, 201-202/ text pp. 203-211

The international response to German aggression 1933-1940 Pp. 213-225

Discuss the role of the Appeasement as a cause of the Second WW Introduce historians´views and argue.