World War 2 in Europe

Failure to Disarm and the Slow Shift to War By not disarming and repeating the errors that led to WW1 and allowing Authoritarian Regimes to flourish, the slow shift towards another global conflict began...

Failure to Disarm and the Slow Shift to War There were many unsuccessful attempts to disarm (e.g. Treaty of Mutual Assistance, General Protocol, Kellogg-Briand Pact) Therefore, by the time of the LON Disarmament Conference in 1932, Most nations came with fixed aims and a suspicion of each other's motives rather than mutual confidence.

Failure to Disarm and the Slow Shift to War Democratic countries had mixed reactions towards Authoritarian Regimes Democratic countries were less wary of Authoritarian Regimes so long as they came down hard on Communism which was perceived as a greater threat.

Failure to Disarm and the Slow Shift to War Without a check on Authoritarian Regimes Hitler was able to re-arm Germany Hitler supported the Fascist faction of the Spanish Civil War and tested his Luftwaffe (Airforce) Shocked by Germany's power. democratic powers like Britain and France began to re-arm rapidly

Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso, depicting the bombing of Guernica, Basque Country, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces, on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government commissioned Pablo Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) Paris International Exposition in the 1937 World's Fair in Paris. Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.

Failure to Disarm and the Slow Shift to War Europe slowly made the descent towards war by adopting non- commitment to disarmament, allowing authoritarian regimes to flourish and by begininning protectionism policies and alliance-making. In short, propagating the same mistakes which had caused the outbreak of World War I.

Failure of the League of Nations to Stop Authoritarian Regimes Failed to stop Italy's expansion into Abyssinia. Took a long time in placing sanctions on Italy. By the time it did so, Italy had already annexed huge parts of Abyssinia. Britain and France made a secret treaty and gave 2/3s of Abyssinia to Italy. Showed how useless the LON was in stopping aggression and how member countries were willing to sacrifice the independence of smaller states to satisfy their needs.

Failure of the League of Nations to Stop Authoritarian Regimes Japan was not stopped when it invaded Manchuria and set up the state of Manchuko. Was not stopped when it left the LON shortly after. Emboldened Japan to carry out its SE Asian conquests. Example showed that LON was inffective in dealing with territorial aggression and spurred other regimes like Spain, Italy and Germany to follow suit.

Failure of the League of Nations to Stop Authoritarian Regimes Failed to resolve the crisis and did not stop German intervention Allowed Fascist Authoritarian Regimes to take advantage of the situation to test the German Airforce (Luftwaffe), something which was banned by the Treaty of Versailles As the LON failed to take action against Japan, Italy and Germany, it only served to embolden the Authoritarian Regimes to press on with Aggressive policies which would lead to the outbreak of World War 2

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Rearmament In 1935, Hitler started re- arming Germany and re- introduced conscription This violated the TOV but Britain and France did nothing to stop the Germans

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Re-occupation of the Rhineland (1936) Moved German troops into the Rhineland, a DMZ France and Germany were preoccupied with economic and political problems and did nothing Popular belief that Hitler was justified in occupying original German territory

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy The Axis Powers In 1936, Hitler signed the Rome- Berlin Axis Pact with Italy to become allies In 1936, Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact which Italy joined a year later These alliances clearly showed the aggressive intent of the Germans, Italians and Japanese

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Spanish Civil War Hitler supported General Fransisco Franco, a Nationalist against the democratic government LON, Britain and France did nothing Germany and Italy were able to train their troops and test their weapons for war This aggressive policy showed the intent the Axis powers had for war

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Anschluss with Austria Hitler wanted to unite Germany and Austria Encouraged Austrian Nazis to create trouble Used his influence to appoint a pro- Nazi Chancellor who asked Hitler to send troops to restore order Hitler sends troops and Anschluss (Union) with Austria is achieved This was in clear violation of the TOV but this was overlooked

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Sudetenland Crisis (1938) Wanted the rich mineral resources Strategic military importance Could annex Czechoslovakia via the Sudetenland Czechs were mobilized for war

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Sudetenland Crisis (1938) Chamberlain (Britain) met the French, Italians and the Germans and decided, WITHOUT consulting the Czechs or the Russians that Czechoslovakia should surrender the Sudetenland to the Germany

Hitler’s Aggressive Foreign Policy Sudetenland Crisis (1938) This was done on condition that Hitler would keep out of the rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later, Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia and Britain and France mobilized for war should Hitler try to annex Poland