1. Analysis: Causes of the Conflict – Arguments that have been put forward as to the outbreak of WWII 1.Aggression of Hitler (& Mussolini) 2.Fault of Britain & France 3.Circumstances of 1930 gave leaders no alternative to policies 4.Failure of Collective Security & League of Nations 5.Failings of Individual Statesmen

2. 1. The outbreak of war was the fault of Hitler (and to a lesser extent Mussolini) Prior to 1933 Locarno Agreement – Western Frontiers Weimar Govt’s sought to bring change to the settlement when possible Eastern Frontiers never set Germany never accepted Paris Peace Settlement Germany Prior to Hitler Coming to Power

3. Hitler’s Prime Objective – Tear up the Treaty of Versailles Hitler discarded the Treaty clauses - Conscription - Rebuild army - Re-create Air Force - Built Heavy Guns & subs The Affirmation of Aggressive Intentions - 1936 Rhineland - 1938 Anschluss - 1938 Czechoslovakia Invasion of Poland was inevitable Justification that Hitler had little to no respect for International Agreements

4. Justification to fight Hitler  fighting for Spirit of Collective Security & the League Morality Justice International Law Evidence that supported the above view The Holocaust - Liberation of the Concentration Camps (at the end of the war) Documentary Evidence as to Hitler’s Guilt - Mein Kampf  his intentions were spelt out; Hossbach Memorandum; minutes from the Wansee Conference Aggressive Actions - Continual breaking of his word “I have no further territorial demands” Evidence that supported the above view The Holocaust - Liberation of the Concentration Camps (at the end of the war) Documentary Evidence as to Hitler’s Guilt - Mein Kampf  his intentions were spelt out; Hossbach Memorandum; minutes from the Wansee Conference Aggressive Actions - Continual breaking of his word “I have no further territorial demands” AFTER THE WAR British “We did all we could to avoid war, look at Munich” AFTER THE WAR British “We did all we could to avoid war, look at Munich” AFTER THE WAR Germany “The war & the camps? It was Hitler & the Nazi’s, not our fault” AFTER THE WAR Germany “The war & the camps? It was Hitler & the Nazi’s, not our fault” All these reasons prove that Britain & France had no choice but to fight in 1939

5. 2. The outbreak of the war was the fault of Britain & France Hitler’s aggression cannot be questioned Hitler’s Action British Weakness Nazi-admiring aristocrats Fear of another war Pacifist Public Opinion German Aggression Reason behind war The weakness shown by other powers that allowed Germany to grow in strength through one aggressive act after another Reason behind war The weakness shown by other powers that allowed Germany to grow in strength through one aggressive act after another

6. Examples of British Government’s inaction German rearmament – justified – name of equality & a fear of communism Hitler’s territorial claims – justified – unfairness of Versailles Treaty British Armed forces allowed to run down – reached a point by which standing up to Hitler was not an option Chamberlain’s refusal to work with the Soviet Union – Stalin no other choice but to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact Neglect of British defences in the 1930’s – lucky to stave off defeat in 1940 German rearmament – justified – name of equality & a fear of communism Hitler’s territorial claims – justified – unfairness of Versailles Treaty British Armed forces allowed to run down – reached a point by which standing up to Hitler was not an option Chamberlain’s refusal to work with the Soviet Union – Stalin no other choice but to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact Neglect of British defences in the 1930’s – lucky to stave off defeat in 1940 View easy to argue Self-evident nature of the examples of inaction Opponents of appeasement (Churchill in particular) dominated historical debate after the war View easy to argue Self-evident nature of the examples of inaction Opponents of appeasement (Churchill in particular) dominated historical debate after the war

7. 3. The circumstances of the 1930’s gave western leaders no alternative to the policies they pursued Condemning Appeasement was simplistic Didn’t take into account the following Baldwin & Chamberlain deserve credit rather than ridicule - Attempting to maintain peace - preparing for war against the odds - Attempting to maintain peace - preparing for war against the odds

8. Britain’s strategic burden (1919-1939) – Commitments  North Sea to Palestine to Singapore Military warned leaders that Britain could not take on Germany, Italy & Japan simultaneously – logical approach was appeasement (reduce potential enemies) Britain’s strategic burden (1919-1939) – Commitments  North Sea to Palestine to Singapore Military warned leaders that Britain could not take on Germany, Italy & Japan simultaneously – logical approach was appeasement (reduce potential enemies) Economic restraints restricted British options in dealing with Hitler Chamberlain’s actions reevaluated – more positive Economic restraints restricted British options in dealing with Hitler Chamberlain’s actions reevaluated – more positive Evidence to support view Before 1914 – Britain kept out of European affairs - gets involved when Germany’s plan to dominate the continent became clear Before 1939 – Britain attempts hands-off approach - reluctantly involved when Germany’s plan to dominate Europe became clear Before 1914 – Britain kept out of European affairs - gets involved when Germany’s plan to dominate the continent became clear Before 1939 – Britain attempts hands-off approach - reluctantly involved when Germany’s plan to dominate Europe became clear Traditional British Foreign Policy Approach British passing the 30 Year Rule (1967) opened classified information

9. 4. War resulted from the failure of the principle of Collective Security & the operation of the League of Nations Caused by forces of nationalism Propaganda encouraged acceptance of nationalism Death & destruction  bred desire of security & revenge Caused by forces of nationalism Propaganda encouraged acceptance of nationalism Death & destruction  bred desire of security & revenge - Collective Security based on principle of INTERNATIONALISM  relied on the sacrifice of national interests for the common good - Factors in the inter-war period prevented this from eventuating - Collective Security based on principle of INTERNATIONALISM  relied on the sacrifice of national interests for the common good - Factors in the inter-war period prevented this from eventuating WWI prevented the principle of Internationalism from flourishing Growth of far right nationalistic thinking & dictatorships

10. The League of Nations - Needed INTERNATIONALISM to succeed - NATIONALISM was the driving force The League of Nations - Needed INTERNATIONALISM to succeed - NATIONALISM was the driving force

11. 5. War started in 1939 due to the failings of individual statesmen Hitler & Mussolini -Less than honest dealings, duplicitous -Opportunism  did little create peace and a healthy international environment (Stalin was also in that position) Hitler & Mussolini -Less than honest dealings, duplicitous -Opportunism  did little create peace and a healthy international environment (Stalin was also in that position) Britain did not possess strong decisive leaders -Baldwin admitted not pushing rearmament (1935 election)  public wouldn’t accept it -Rather than strengthen the League over Abyssinia  Hoare & Mussolini  The Hoare-Laval Plan -Chamberlain’s insistence in pursuing appeasement  no alternatives bypassing advice of ministers and diplomats -Lord Halifax still trying to deal with Hitler in May 1940 Britain did not possess strong decisive leaders -Baldwin admitted not pushing rearmament (1935 election)  public wouldn’t accept it -Rather than strengthen the League over Abyssinia  Hoare & Mussolini  The Hoare-Laval Plan -Chamberlain’s insistence in pursuing appeasement  no alternatives bypassing advice of ministers and diplomats -Lord Halifax still trying to deal with Hitler in May 1940 “ … history is about activities of people not abstractions. Of course people make decisions within a context … But this context does not act as some directing or determining force. What makes history is the human capacity to exercise reason and thought.” GR Elton