Year Nine NMG 2006

1.Hitler’s Foreign Policy Banned union with Austria Cut Germany’s armed forces Demilitarised the Rhineland Treaty of Versailles RearmamentTroops into the Rhineland 1936 Anschluss 1938 Claimed the Sudetenland Took rest of Czechoslovakia Deal made with Russia Invasion of Poland

The failure of The League of Nations League of Nations set up to prevent conflict Limited success with preventing trouble in 1920s – all involving minor powers Responsibility for world peace left to GB & France Disarmament Conference achieved nothing Problems caused by Great Depression Japanese attack on China Sanctions applied Italian invasion of Ethiopia

The Great Depression World wide trade depression affected many countries causing widespread unemployment Brought Hitler to power in Germany Some countries like Japan turned to aggression to get raw materials Some countries eg Britain felt that they could not afford to build up their armed forces

What did Britain and France do? Hitler announced re- armament programme No reaction from Britain or France German troops into the Rhineland No reaction from Britain or France Hitler took over AustriaNo reaction from Britain or France Hitler demanded the Sudetenland Concessions from Allies Appeasement

War in Spain In 1936 the Spanish Army under Franco rebelled against the left wing government Italy & Germany sent help to Franco Russia helped the left wing government Volunteers from Britain and France went to fight too The war helped to bring Italy and Germany together – they became allies

Could Britain and France have done more to stop Hitler? France Decided that defence was best policy Made separate alliances with Poland and Czechs Built the Maginot Line along German frontier Britain Weakened by 1 st WW Empire, not Europe, was first consideration Along with France became responsible for maintaining League of Nations

What about Russia? Poor relationship between Russia & western powers Stalin was very suspicious of France & Britain Was convinced they would support Hitler in struggle between Russia and Germany Made agreement with Germans to divide up Poland

What about the USA? The US government refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles so the USA never joined the League of Nations Many Americans felt that Europe should sort out its own problems Japan seemed to be a bigger problem than Germany

Causes of The Second World War? Treaty of Versailles The Great Depression Failure of the League of Nations German foreign policy Spanish Civil War Britain and France Russia & the USA