The unification of Germany and Austria Exam Question: Main reason for Anschluss? How responsible for WW2? Anschluss Why? Hitler wanted all German-speaking nations in Europe to be a part of Germany Definition? The unification of Germany and Austria Background? Attempted coup in 1934. Dolfuss bans extremists. Hitler orders chaos, which escalated. Mussolini livid and opposes Hitler Events? Schusnigg co-operates with Germany (Austro-German Treaty 1936). Nazi member becomes Minister of Interior in 1938. Hitler orders chaos (AGAIN!) so he can “restore order”. 9th March – Schussnigg calls referendum. Hitler furious and orders cancellation. Succeeds. 1 1th march, German troops occupy Austria. Referendum in April rigged to show German support Outcome? Britain and France in no position to oppose Hitler. Appeasement the preferred option. German add 7 million people and 100,000 soldiers. Steel, Iron and wealth gained. Czechoslovakia now border Germany on 3 fronts

Organisation of the League of Nations The Council 4 permanent members – Britain, France, Italy and Japan, until Italy and Japan left the league Solved disputes by : Moral condemnation – countries would pressure the aggressor to stop the war Economic sanctions – countries would stop trade with the aggressor, military force – members of the league would eventually fight the aggressor- whose army?   The Assembly Met once a year to discuss issues, such as solving disputes, or changing treaties. All decisions in the assembly had to be unanimous Had representatives from each member. The Permanent Court of Justice Court of 15 judges chosen by the league Dealt with disputes between countries whilst the assembly couldn’t Had no means of enforcing decisions, and relied on member states to enforce their decisions Weaknesses of the Structure Assembly, which had the real power, only met once a year (Manchuria?) Decisions had to be unanimous, which meant that some decisions would be hard to agree on, and therefore means that they may not be able to do much The Permanent court of Justice met more often than the assembly, however it had no force, and relied on members to do it if they chose to. Exam Question: Responsible for failure of League of Nations?

German re-armament and the Rhineland Exam Question: Main reason for rearmament and remilitarisation? How responsible for WW2? German re-armament and the Rhineland Background? German had military limitations put on them by the Treaty of Versailles. Germany joined the League and participated in the 1932 Disarmament Conference. Withdrew in 1933 Rearmament? In 1935, Hitler introduced conscription. Europe did nothing, but were concerned – Britain and France split, Russia joined the League. 1934 – signed a 10 year non-aggression pact with Poland, guaranteeing her borders. Hitler peaceful? 1934 – failed Anschluss. German army needs strengthening 1935 – Anglo-German Naval agreement (35% of British fleet). Britain did not consult Italy or France so weakened Stresa Front. By 1938, rearmament figures were – 800,000 soldiers, 47 U-boats and 2000 planes Rhineland? Troops marched in on 7th March 1936 – against Treaty and Locarno Pact. Hitler agrees 25 year non-aggression pact. Only Soviet Union in favour of sanctions. Why no action? Abyssinia and what is the problem with having German troops in Germany? Significance of Rhineland? Opposed Treaty. Hitler more popular in Germany, Rome-Berlin Axis signed – battle lines for WW2. Britain and France rearm, the League doomed

Sudeten Crisis and Munich Agreement Exam Question: Main reason for invasion of Sudetenland? Munich Agreement a victory or failure? How responsible for WW2? Sudeten Crisis and Munich Agreement Why? Unite the 3 million German speakers, Lebensraum and control of lesser Slavic people Sudeten crisis Hitler encouraged Sudeten Nazi leader Henlein to riot in March 1938 Hitler met Chamberlain in Germany and Hitler outlined his aim of a plebiscite. Chamberlain persuaded the French to force Benes (Czech leader) to accept. Chamberlain surprised Hitler on September 22nd by accepting proposals. Hitler asked to occupy the Sudetenland immediately. Chamberlain gutted – prepare for war Munich Agreement Germany, France, Italy and Britain met. Sudetenland German, but not Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain and Hitler agreed they would never go to war –”peace in our time” Outcome? Czechs betrayed and vulnerable. Germany gained Sudetenland, a key industrial area, Britain re-armed as public opinion began to swing against appeasement. Soviet Union left out and annoyed. PEACE!

Yalta (Feb 1945) and Potsdam (July 1945) Conferences Exam Question: Success and failure? Difference between conferences? Responsible for increasing tensions between East and West? Yalta (Feb 1945) and Potsdam (July 1945) Conferences Yalta agreement? Divide Germany into four – Berlin too Nazi war criminals to be hunted down Free elections in East Europe Soviet support in Japanese War UN set up German reparations But… What to do about Poland? Then what? By Potsdam, Russia occupied Eastern Europe and liberated Berlin. Germany surrender. Roosevelt died, Churchill replaced. USA tested an atom bomb on July 16th So? Huge mistrust, especially between US and Russia. Division of Germany and hunt for war criminals confirmed. But, wartime cooperation ends, lack of a common enemy. Little agreed at Potsdam

The “Thaw” Stalin’s death Died in 1953. Replaced by Khrushchev, end of Communist world domination Thaw? Wanted to calm tensions between East and West – both had H-Bomb. USSR helped end Korean War. Austrian occupation ended in 1955 Peaceful coexistence? First used by Khrushchev in 1956 – describing “living in peace” with West. Khrushchev visited Britain and conference held in Geneva in 1955 NATO and Warsaw Pact Why NATO? Formed in April 1949 to respond to Berlin blockade. All members defended if attacked Problem? Drew a frontier against USSR. 12 member states, East Germany made in 15. Allowed US military expansion. Seen as aggression action by USSR, application rejected Soviet response? After 1955, it became clear Germany would not be united. Mutual defence pact signed in Warsaw in 1955 – Pol, Cz, Bul, Hun, Rom, E. Ger, Albania “Collective Security” “Treaty of Friendship” – allowed Russian dominance. Despite “thaw” in Cold War, battle lines were now drawn Exam Question: NATO and Warsaw increase tension? Successful was “peaceful coexistence”?