Hitler and Immediate Causes 1939

Munich Conference

Mussolini, Hitler, Daladier, Chamberlain

Results of Munich Hitler put Europe on the brink of war Aggressor, Britain and France sough peace Clear Poland would be next Britain and France issue another warning Appeasement was at an end Britain and France unaware Germany has been meeting with Soviet Union

Results of Munich One of the most controversial agreements in history Nazi-Soviet Pact Agreed not to attack one another, secretly agreed to divide Poland Short-term benefit for Hitler, no risk of a two-front war Would gain staging area for future invasion of Soviet Union

Cartoon Analysis

Why Did Germany Sign? Hitler wanted to avoid a war on two fronts Did not believe Britain and France would intervene if he allied with Stalin Economic aid from USSR would negate impact of Anglo- French blockage Hitler would deal with the West before the Soviet Union

Why Did USSR Sign? USSR would not have to get involved in a war in the West Already faced a threat from Japan in the East, Army had been weakened by Stalin’s purges Gave Stalin time to prepare for war, always hope that Germany and the West would weaken each other in the war and USSR would be left strongest Stalin would gain half of Poland and opportunity to take Finland and Baltic States Germany was still the USSR’s major trading partner

The Invasion of Poland Most immediate cause of WWII Poland had been created after WWI, given land corridor through former German territory Danzig was meant to be a free city for Poles to use Knew this would cause future tension, Germans never accepted it Nazis came to power there after Hitler

The Invasion of Poland Poland was also threatened by the Soviets 1920, Red Army had invaded and attempted to consolidate control of Eastern Europe Poles had rallied at Warsaw, key for national identity, important so that they not make concessions in 1939 Hitler demanded Danzig in 1939, Poles respond by mobilizing March 1939, Britain and France guarantee support Saw the issue as between German ambition and Polish determination to defend themselves Hitler invades September 1, war declared Maybe not the enemies he had envisioned

Appeasement British policy throughout 1930s May have encouraged Hitler Further alienated the USSR Stalin thought it was meant to start conflict between him and Germany Hitler gambled on this with Poland Was Hitler acting or reacting? The fault Hitler’s or other European statesmen? Case against appeasement With more territory, Germany became better defended, had more soldiers, workers, materials, industry Britain had not even prepared by 1939 Had led to Nazi-Soviet Pact

Justification for Appeasement Shaped foreign policy since WWII Situation was complex for Chamberlain though British economy down, rearmament difficult Memories of WWI People had to want war Hitler’s demands were seen as just revision of Versailles Many thought it was too harsh Munich was the end

Chamberlain Thought there were three key issues to be resolved Territorial grievances Economic problems Absence of raw materials Appeasement would lead to a more moderate Germany, which would benefit the world Himself, did not believe in peace at any price Would not have been prepared to fight Hitler in 1930s

France France took the lead from Britain, could not have acted alone Rhineland had not been policed effectively Focused on rebuilding of Maginot Line Government was suffering internal division Thought military response may build support for Nazis Overall, fears of communism did not help, Hitler may have been lesser of two evils