Chapter 3 Notes in Short

1. The League of Nations

● Creation: Established after World War I to maintain peace but ultimately failed.
● Consequences of Failures:
○ Weak Actions: The League lacked its own army, relying on member countries,
which often did not assist.
○ Failed to Stop Aggressors: Unable to prevent invasions by Japan, Italy, and
Germany, emboldening these nations.
○ Loss of Trust: Countries lost faith in the League’s ability to protect them and
began to look out for themselves.
○ Appeasement: Nations like Britain and France tried to avoid conflict by
conceding to aggressive countries, worsening the situation.
○ Contribution to World War II: The League's failure to maintain peace led to
unchecked expansion by aggressive nations.
● Aftermath: The League was replaced by the United Nations (UN) post-World War II to
strengthen peacekeeping efforts.

2. The Appeasement Policy

● Definition: A strategy used by Britain and France in the 1930s to avoid war by
conceding to the demands of aggressive nations like Nazi Germany.
● Arguments For:
○ Avoid War: Leaders wanted to prevent another conflict after World War I.
○ Time to Prepare: Provided time for Britain and France to strengthen their
military.
○ Public Opinion: Many citizens supported appeasement, wishing to avoid war.
● Arguments Against:
○ Strengthened Hitler: Allowing Hitler to take over parts of Czechoslovakia
increased his power.
○ Encouraged Aggression: Appeasement was seen as a sign of weakness by
dictators, promoting further aggression.
○ Delayed War: Instead of preventing it, appeasement merely postponed conflict,
with Germany growing stronger by 1939.
● Conclusion: Ultimately, appeasement did not prevent World War II and is seen as
having emboldened dictators.

3. Rearmament in 1935

● Overview: Nazi Germany began military buildup, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
● What Happened: Hitler announced the rebuilding of the army, navy, and air force,
including conscription.
● Importance: It openly defied the Treaty of Versailles, which had limited Germany’s
military.
● Reactions: Britain and France protested but did not take strong action, with many
believing Germany deserved to rebuild its military.
● Impact: Rearmament significantly strengthened Germany, facilitating future aggression
and leading to World War II.
 4. The Saar Plebiscite (1935)

● Background: The Treaty of Versailles placed Saar under League of Nations control for
15 years due to its coal resources.
● The Vote: In 1935, residents voted on whether to join Germany, stay under League
control, or join France.
● Result: About 90% voted to return to Germany, boosting Hitler’s popularity and German
nationalism.
● Impact: The Saar's return to Germany provided more resources for Hitler and
encouraged further violations of the Treaty of Versailles.

5. The Rhineland Crisis (1936)

● What Happened: In March 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, violating the
Treaty of Versailles.
● Significance: The Rhineland served as a buffer zone between Germany and France.
● International Reaction: Britain and France were upset but took no military action, with
some believing Hitler was reclaiming German land.
● Impact: Hitler’s success increased his boldness and showed the reluctance of Britain
and France to confront him, leading to further expansion.

6. The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)

● Conflict: A war between Republicans (supporting democracy) and Nationalists (led by

Franco, seeking dictatorship) following a military coup.
● International Involvement: Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supported Franco; the
Soviet Union aided Republicans, along with international volunteers.
● Outcome: In 1939, Franco's Nationalists won, establishing a dictatorship that lasted until
1975, resulting in widespread destruction and division in Spain.

7. Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

● Rome-Berlin Axis (1936): An agreement between Italy and Germany to support each
other politically and militarily, strengthening fascist ties.
● Anti-Comintern Pact (1936): An agreement between Germany and Japan, later joined
by Italy, aimed at combating the spread of communism.
● Significance: These alliances formed the basis for the Axis Powers in World War II.

8. Anschluss (1938)

● What Happened: In March 1938, Hitler sent troops into Austria, facing little resistance
as Austria was annexed by Germany.
● Significance: The Treaty of Versailles had prohibited the unification of Germany and
Austria, which Hitler violated.
● Reaction: Britain and France protested but took no action, focusing on avoiding conflict.
● Impact: The Anschluss strengthened Germany and facilitated further territorial
expansion.

9. British and French Reaction to the Anschluss

● No Military Action: Neither Britain nor France intervened to stop the annexation,
prioritizing the avoidance of war.
● Protests without Action: They protested verbally but did not enforce the Treaty of
Versailles.
● Appeasement Policy: Their inaction exemplified appeasement, encouraging further
expansion by Hitler.

10. The Crisis Over Czechoslovakia (1938)

● What Happened: Hitler aimed to annex Czechoslovakia, particularly the Sudetenland,

claiming the need to protect ethnic Germans.
● Munich Agreement: In September 1938, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy agreed to
allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland in exchange for his promise not to expand further.
● Reactions: Czechoslovakia felt betrayed, and concerns arose among some British and
French leaders about the agreement.
● Aftermath: In March 1939, Hitler broke his promise and seized the rest of
Czechoslovakia, demonstrating the failure of appeasement.

11. Unrest in the Sudetenland

● Background: The Sudetenland, home to many ethnic Germans, experienced growing

tensions with the Czech government.
● Rising Tensions: In 1938, Nazi propaganda fueled demands for more rights and
autonomy from the Czech government.
● Violence and Protests: Protests and violence escalated, providing Hitler with a pretext
for intervention.
● Role of Hitler: He supported the unrest to justify German expansion, culminating in the
Munich Agreement.

12. The Munich Agreement (1938)

● Background: Hitler sought the Sudetenland, claiming to protect ethnic Germans.

● Munich Meeting: In September 1938, leaders from Germany, Britain, France, and Italy
convened to discuss the crisis.
● Decision: They consented to let Hitler take the Sudetenland without Czechoslovakia's
approval.
● Reactions: Czechoslovakia felt betrayed, while leaders believed they secured “peace
for our time.”
● Aftermath: Hitler broke his promise within six months, taking the rest of Czechoslovakia
and leading to further conflict.

13. Justification of the Munich Agreement

● Arguments For:
○ Avoided Immediate War: Supporters claim it prevented conflict in 1938, a
desired outcome post-World War I.
○ Time to Prepare: It allowed Britain and France to bolster military strength.
● Arguments Against:
○ Encouraged Aggression: Critics argue it showcased weakness, emboldening
Hitler to make further territorial claims.
 ○ Betrayed Czechoslovakia: The agreement excluded Czechoslovakia from
discussions, leaving it vulnerable.
● Conclusion: While some viewed it as a temporary peace solution, many see it as a
failure that contributed to Hitler’s rise and further conflict.

14. Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1939)

● Background: Following the Munich Agreement, Hitler broke his promise after taking the
Sudetenland.
● Invasion: In March 1939, German troops invaded the remainder of Czechoslovakia with
little resistance.
● End of Czechoslovakia: By late March, the nation was fully under German control,
ceasing to exist as an independent state.
● Impact: The invasion underscored the failure of appeasement and highlighted Hitler's
willingness to use military force, raising tensions in Europe.

15. The Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939)

● Overview: A significant agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union,
promising non-aggression and dividing Eastern Europe.

Q1: What were Hitler’s foreign policy aims between 1933 and 1938?
Hitler’s foreign policy aimed at three key goals:

1. Overturn the Treaty of Versailles:

○ Hitler sought to reverse the harsh restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles
(1919), which included military limitations, loss of territory, and heavy
reparations.
2. Expand German Territory (Lebensraum):
○ He believed Germany needed more "living space" (Lebensraum) for its people,
advocating for expansion into Eastern Europe and the conquest of lands like
Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.
3. Unite All German-Speaking People:
○ Hitler aimed to unite all ethnic Germans under one nation, starting with the
annexation of Austria (the Anschluss) and parts of Czechoslovakia with
significant German-speaking populations (e.g., the Sudetenland).

Q2: Why were Hitler’s actions so popular in 1933-1938?

Hitler's actions gained popularity among many Germans for several reasons:

1. National Pride:
○ Overturning the Treaty of Versailles restored German honor and pride, as the
treaty was widely regarded as unfair and humiliating.
2. Economic Recovery:
 ○His policies, including rearmament and public works programs, reduced
unemployment and improved the economy, making people feel that Germany
was becoming strong again.
3. Restoration of Military Strength:
○ Hitler's secret rearmament of Germany (violating the Treaty of Versailles)
resonated with many who wanted a strong military capable of defending the
nation.
4. Propaganda and Nationalism:
○ Hitler’s speeches and Nazi propaganda instilled a sense of pride in being
German, leveraging nationalist sentiments and portraying himself as a leader
who would restore Germany's former glory.

Q3: How effective was the policy of appeasement adopted by other

countries in response to Hitler’s actions during this period?
The policy of appeasement, mainly adopted by Britain and France, was largely ineffective for
the following reasons:

1. Definition of Appeasement:
○ Appeasement involved conceding to some of Hitler's demands to avoid a larger
war. Britain and France, still recovering from World War I, were reluctant to
confront him directly, believing that satisfying his territorial ambitions could
prevent conflict.
2. Failure to Stop Hitler:
○ Instead of containing Hitler, appeasement emboldened him. Each time he
violated agreements or expanded territory (e.g., rearming, remilitarizing the
Rhineland, and annexing Austria), Britain and France failed to take decisive
action, leading Hitler to believe he could act without consequences.
3. The Munich Agreement (1938):
○ The peak of appeasement occurred with the Munich Agreement, in which Britain
and France allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia)
without resistance. This not only boosted Hitler's confidence but also
demonstrated their reluctance to engage in conflict.
4. Consequences:
○ He was allowing Hitler to expand unchecked and provided him with time to
strengthen his military. When he invaded Poland in 1939, it became evident that
appeasement had failed, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II.

Conclusion:
Appeasement was ineffective because it encouraged Hitler’s aggression instead of containing it.
The failure to confront him earlier made Germany stronger, making the eventual war even more
destructive.