Cambridge IGCSE History Core Content Option B Topic 3
Hitler’s
foreign policy & Appeasement policy (The Road to WWII)
Foreign
policy aims
(a) What were the aims of Hitler’s
foreign policy? [5] 2010s12, 2005S
When Hitler came to power, what did he hope to achieve with his foreign policy? [5] 2006s, 2004W
When Hitler came to power, what did he hope to achieve with his foreign policy? [5] 2006s, 2004W
‘To
restore German pride.’ ‘Create a
greater Germany & to make Germany a world power.’
‘To establish a large empire in Europe where
pure Aryans would live.’ ‘Anschluss with Austria.’
‘Reversal of the Treaty of Versailles by
retrieving lost land, regain the Saar & expand German territory.’
Rearmament and re-militarisation of the Rhineland;
building up German armed forces;
‘Creation of a ‘Greater Germany’ by uniting all
German speaking people in one home land.’
‘To expand in the east and take over Poland and
the west of the USSR (lebensraum).’
‘To destroy the USSR and those who believed in
communism.’
(a) What actions did Hitler take between 1933
and 1937 to destroy the Treaty of Versailles? [5] 2009s
(a) In what ways did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles between 1933 and end of 1938? [5] 2002S
(a) In what ways did Hitler break the Treaty of Versailles between 1933 and end of 1938? [5] 2002S
(b) Explain how Hitler destroyed the
Treaty of Versailles. [7] 2006s
‘Hitler withdrew from the League.’ ‘He began to re-arm.’ ‘Conscription was introduced.’
‘Hitler withdrew from the League.’ ‘He began to re-arm.’ ‘Conscription was introduced.’
‘Re-occupation of the Rhineland.’ ‘Anschuluss with Austria.’
‘At the Disarmament Conference of 1932-33
Germany wanted everyone to disarm to her own low level. France refused. Hitler
withdrew from the Conference and the League and started to re-arm.’
‘Hitler announced that Ger had an air force and
was introducing conscription, both forbidden by T of V.’
‘The signing of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty
allowing Germany to build up its navy
showed the military terms of the Treaty were
dead.’
‘Germany re-militarised the Rhineland with
Britain and France making no effort to stop
this. This was expressly forbidden to protect
France.’
‘Hitler ignored the Treaty with the Anschluss
with Austria in 1938. This had been expressly
forbidden and this united German speakers, making Germany
more powerful.’
Rearmament +
preparation for war
(a) In what ways did Hitler build up his
armed forces before 1936? [5] 2007S
‘He began increasing the army size from 1933.’
‘He began increasing the army size from 1933.’
‘He introduced his new air force.’ ‘In 1935 he introduced conscription.’
‘Through the Anglo-German Naval Treaty of 1935
he could build a fleet one-third the size of
Britain’s (1) and have the same number of submarines.
(2).’
(a) What measures had Hitler taken by 1938 to
prepare Germany for war? [5] 2010s13
’Hitler broke the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles.’
‘Hitler withdrew from Disarmament Conferences.’
‘Hitler withdrew Germany from the League of
Nations in 1933 and started secretly re-arming.’
‘In 1935, he introduced an air-force and
brought in conscription.’
‘In 1935, Hitler signed the Anglo-German Naval
Treaty, which allowed Ger 35% of the size of Britain’s navy.’
‘In 1936 Germany re-militarised the Rhineland
& signed the Rome-Berlin Axis.’
‘In 1937 Hitler sent his armed forces to the Spanish
Civil War to practise its blitzkrieg tactics.’
Saar
(a) Describe the events in the Saar in 1935.
[5] 2005W
‘There was a plebiscite.’ ‘The League of Nations held the plebiscite
that had been promised.’
‘Plebiscite was held to decide whether the
region should remain with L of N or retain to German rule.’
‘In the vote, 90% indicated a return to German
rule.’
‘A tremendous propaganda success for Hitler. He
promised to make no further claims on French territory.’
(a) How did the 1935 plebiscite change
the situation in Saar? [5] 2004S
‘Under the Treaty the Saar had been under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years.
‘Under the Treaty the Saar had been under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years.
‘The plebiscite reversed the decision of the
Treaty of Versailles.’
The vote was 477000 for; 48000 against. Over
90% of the people voted to return to German control.’
‘The rich coal-mining area came back under
German control.’
‘It allowed Germany to regain territory.’ ‘It re-united some German speaking people.’
‘It boosted Hitler’s power as the numbers
voting for return was over 90% - a propaganda success for Hitler’
Rhineland
(a) Describe the remilitarisation of the
Rhineland in 1936. [5] 2008W
‘In March, Hitler ordered his troops back into
the Rhineland, against the terms of the T of V.’
‘Hitler’s generals were against the move as
they thought the French would resist and also
because the German army was too weak.’
‘The army had strict orders to withdraw if they
met any opposition but all went smoothly.’
‘It was a gamble made by Hitler but it happened
without opposition from the Allies.’
‘The majority of people welcomed the troops.’
‘Britain thought Hitler was reclaiming what was
rightfully Germany’s.’
‘It was condemned by the LN but they took no
action as they were involved in Abyssinia.’
(b) Why was remilitarisation of the Rhineland a risk for Hitler? [7] 2007S
‘Germany was not ready for war and Hitler could
have lost the support of the army.’
‘He was breaking the terms of the Treaty of
Versailles and did not know how Britain and France would react.’
‘There was a good chance that Fr would send
troops to resist the Ger forces and that would mean war.’
‘Many German generals were unhappy with the
plan as the French outnumbered them.’
‘If he had been forced to withdraw he would
have faced humiliation and would have lost support of the German army as many
generals were against the move.’
‘It was against the T of V and had been
accepted by Germany in the Locarno Treaties of 1925.’
(b) Why did Britain and France allow
Germany to re-militarise the Rhineland in 1936? [7] 2005W
‘France’s leaders were not prepared to act. The French were about to hold an election and none of their leaders was prepared to take responsibility of taking France into war.’
‘France’s leaders were not prepared to act. The French were about to hold an election and none of their leaders was prepared to take responsibility of taking France into war.’
‘They did not realise how weak the German army
was but France would not act without British support.’
‘It was the time of the Abyssinian crisis. The
attention of the League of Nations was on Abyssinia. The
League condemned Hitler’s action but had no
power to do anything else.’
‘Britain would not risk war over “Hitler
marching into his own backyard” and taking what was rightfully hers.’
‘Britain thought it belonged to Germany.’
Anschluss
(a) What did Hitler achieve by the
Anschluss? [5] 2010s11
‘A joining of Germany and Austria.’ ‘A launch pad for future invasions.’
‘Hitler had successfully broken the Treaty of
Versailles which stated that there should be
no Anschluss between Germany and Austria.’
‘By joining Germany and Austria, Hitler had
helped his development of a Greater Germany.’
‘Hitler had acquired his homeland because he
was born in Austria.’
‘Austria’s soldiers, weapons and its rich
deposits of gold and iron ore were added to
Germany’s increasingly strong army and
industry.’
‘The Anschluss showed that the Allies were not
willing to go to war over a treaty which
seemed suspect and flawed. This encouraged
Hitler.’
(b) Why did Hitler want to unite Germany and Austria? [7] 2008W
‘It was the place where Hitler was born.’ ‘To develop a Greater Germany.’ ‘To unite German speakers.’
‘They thought they belonged together.’ ‘To defy the Treaty.’ ‘Austria was economically weak.’
‘It was linked culturally. There was a strong
Nazi Party in Austria, both countries spoke
German with 96% of Austrians speaking German.’
‘Hitler’s aims as stated in Mein Kampf were to
create a Greater Germany and to overthrow the Treaty of Versailles. Anschluss
had been forbidden by the Treaty and so a union would help him achieve his
aims.’
‘Austria had experienced economic problems and
the union might be of benefit by bringing
them into Greater Germany.’
Note:
no credit for lebensraum
(b) Why was Hitler able to unite Germany with Austria in 1938? [7] 2009s
‘Hitler had built up his armed forces and achieved success in the Rhineland whilst at the same time noting the failures of the League of Nations.’
‘The Austrian Chancellor, Schuschnigg, had
appointed Nazis into his government. The Austrian Nazis helped Hitler step up
his campaign by staging mass parades. Hitler sent for the Chancellor and
bullied him into giving more power to the Austrian Nazis.’
‘Schuschnigg changed his mind and ordered a
plebiscite. Hitler was furious and forced his resignation. The Austrian Nazi
leader asked Germany to send in troops to restore order. A plebiscite was held
and 99% voted in favour of the Anschluss.’
‘Other countries took no action. Britain and
France did not object as most Austrians were pleased with it.’
Czechoslovakia
(b) Why did Hitler want to take over
Czechoslovakia? [7] 2010s11, 2010s13
He despised the Czech people because they were Slavs, not Aryans.
He despised the Czech people because they were Slavs, not Aryans.
One of Hitler’s foreign policies was to create
‘lebensraum’ to the east as living space for the growing Aryan population. Czechoslovakia
would be an ideal implementation of this plan.
The Sudetenland was the home of 3 million
German-speaking people. This helped Hitler form a greater Germany.
Czechoslovakia had considerable coal reserves,
iron ore deposits and weapons factories including the famous
Skoda works. This would be useful for the
Nazis’ war machine and industrial buildup.
Czechoslovakia was strategically important as
it would give an advantage for German military and economic dominance of
central Europe.
A hostile Czechoslovakia would make it
impossible for Germany to fight in the West, as Hitler would then face a war on
two fronts which he wanted to avoid.
Appeasement
& Munich Conference
(a) What happened at the Munich Conference in
1938? [5] 2009w
‘Four powers – Britain, France, Germany and
Italy – met to discuss the Czech crisis.’
‘It was agreed that Czechoslovakia’s new
frontiers would be guaranteed by the four powers.’
‘Hitler was to be given the Sudetenland as had
been agreed at Bad Godesberg.’
‘The claims on Czechoslovakian territory by
Hungary and Poland were to be met.’
‘Peace was secured – “peace in our time”
(a) What was agreed at the Munich Conference of September 1938? [5] 2006w
‘A solution to avoid war. Peace/peace in our time’.
‘That Hitler be given the Sudetenland (1) as had
been agreed at Bad Godesberg. (1)’
‘The claims on Czech territory by Hungary and
Poland were to be met.’
‘It was agreed that Czechoslovakia’s new
frontiers would be guaranteed by the four powers (1) (Britain, Germany, France
and Italy). (1)’
Allow the Anglo-German Declaration from the day
after where Br and Ger agreed never to go to war.
(b) Why did Britain follow a policy of
appeasement towards Germany in the 1930s? [7] 2010s12, 2002S
‘It was right to try to avoid war.’ ‘Britain was not ready for war.’
‘Chamberlain misjudged Hitler.’ ‘The Treaty of Versailles was harsh.’
‘T of V had been harsh on Germany and it seemed
right to try to settle grievances by negotiation. Britain and France were happy
as Hitler was only rightfully getting back what belonged to Germany.’
‘Memories of the First World War were still
fresh and it was felt right to avoid another war.’
‘Many liked the idea of a strong Ger as
protection against USSR. USSR under Stalin seemed a greater threat.’
‘Rearmament was not complete and it was an
opportunity to stall for time.’
‘British government was trying to deal with the
depression and did not want to spend money on arms.’
‘It was thought that by giving concessions to
Hitler he could be trusted and would reduce chances of war.’
(c) ‘The policy of appeasement was a
mistake.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [8] 2010s11, 2007S
(c) How far was the policy of appeasement
justified? [8] 2010s13, 2006s, 2004S
Arguments for Appeasement
·
‘Br was not ready to fight Ger and it delayed war and
gave time for her to rearm.’
·
‘It was not certain that the empire would support another
war. The delay ensured that the support.’
·
‘The British were trying to deal with the depression and
did not want to spend on arms.’
·
‘Memories of World War 1 (and Spanish Civil War) were
still fresh. Both Br and Fr leaders wanted to avoid the horrors of another war and
made every effort through appeasement to do so.’
·
‘T of V was unjust and should be redressed. It was harsh
on Ger, and it seemed common sense to try to settle Ger’s grievances by
negotiation. Britain felt Hitler was rightfully getting back what belonged to Ger.’
·
‘Some people approved of Hitler’s policies particularly
the way he had reduced unemployment.’
·
‘A strong Ger was a protection against USSR and
communism, which seemed a greater threat at the time.’
Arguments against Appeasement
·
‘Appeasement was interpreted by Hitler as weakness and
cowardice. It only allowed Germany to get strong and more aggressive.’
·
‘Appeasement was about giving in to a bully. Br assumed
Hitler was rational and that making concessions to Hitler would reduce the
chances of war. In fact they completely misjudged his ruthlessness both to
break agreements and use force. It only encouraged Hitler to demand more. It failed to prevent war
as Hitler marched into Poland and war started.’
·
‘The appeasers missed vital opportunities to stop Hitler,
in particular over the Rhineland and by delaying allowed Hitler time to build
up his military strength.’
·
‘By abandoning Czechoslovakia, Britain lost a potential
ally against Hitler.’
·
‘It alarmed the USSR as Hitler made no secret of his
plans to expand eastwards. It created the tension and mistrust between USSR and
the allies in decades to come.’
·
‘It was morally wrong – The Czechs had no part in this
decision. They were simply given away to a dictator.’
Nazi-Soviet
Pact
(b) Why did Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet
Pact? [7] 2009w
·
‘Stalin knew USSR would fight against Ger. The Pact gave
him time to delay war and gained time to re-arm and build up his military
strength.’
·
‘Land was partly taken from Russia to re-create Poland after
WWI. Stalin would be able to re-gain the land. The pact allowed the USSR to
gain get their share of Poland without having to fight.’
·
‘Stalin could not trust Br and Fr. Stalin was upset that he
had not been invited to the Munich Conference and that Br and Fr ‘betrayed’ him. He also thought
that they would be happy to see the USSR fighting alone if war broke out with Ger.’
(b) Explain why Hitler wanted the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939. [7] 2004S
·
‘To ensure he could get Poland without hindrance by USSR.
He needed to avoid war on two fronts - being attacked from east and west at the
same time.’
·
‘Under T of V, Ger had lost Polish corridor and Danzig. Hitler
wanted these territories back.’
·
‘Hitler wanted Polish territory as lebensraum.’
·
‘Hitler now knew that if he invaded Poland, the USSR
would not stop him.’
·
‘To test Br and Fr since Br had guaranteed Poland’s
independence before. USSR, Br and Fr had been discussing how to defend Poland.
This was a threat to Hitler.’
(b) Why was the Nazi-Soviet Pact
important? [7] 2006w
·
‘It brought new alliances as it brought together Ger and
the USSR.’
·
‘Hitler knew that he could invade Poland without having
to worry about what action the USSR would take. This gave Hitler confidence.’
·
‘USSR realised that when Ger gained Poland they were
going to get their share without having to fight.’
·
‘The pact left Br and Fr alone to fight against Germany.’
·
‘It was the most important immediate cause of war because Hitler invaded Poland.’
·
‘Stalin still believed that USSR would fight against Ger.
The Pact gave him time to build up his military strength.’
·
‘Hitler achieved his aims. He regained land lost at
Versailles, acquired Lebensraum and avoided a two-front war.’
Foreign
policy overview
(b) Why was Hitler’s foreign policy
successful up to 1938? [7] 2005S
‘Because he was not opposed.’ ‘He was a gambler.’ ‘The League of Nations had failed.’
‘Britain was pre-occupied.’ ‘Britain still felt guilty over the harsh
peace terms of 1919.’
‘He formed Treaties and agreements that allowed
him to develop.’ ‘Because of
appeasement.’
‘Under the T of V the Saar was placed under the
League of Nations control. In 1935 a plebiscite was held which gave an
overwhelming vote for the return to Germany. This was a tremendous propaganda
success.’
‘Germany re-occupied the Rhineland. They
thought the French would resist but this did not happen.’
‘Br, Fr and Italy formed the Stresa Front
condemning German re-armament but not prepared to take action.’
‘The Anglo-German Naval treaty allowed Ger to
increase its navy and thus ignore restrictions in T of V.’
‘The Rome-Berlin Axis allowed closer working
relationships allowing Hitler to test his
new military equipment in the Spanish Civil
War.’
‘Neither Br nor Fr wanted to fight over
Czechoslovakia and followed policy of appeasement giving Hitler what he
demanded.’
‘The L of N, after Abyssinia, was not in a
position to stop Hitler.’
‘2 plebiscites ensured his success. He used
troops in Austria to ensure the plebiscite went his way.’
‘B and F concentrating on the Depression and
Hitler seized his chance.’
‘B and F considered communism a greater threat and needed
Hitler.’
(c) ‘Hitler was a gambler rather than a planner in foreign affairs.’ Do you
agree? 2002S
8-mark question: Blame for war - What
played a greater part in causing WWII?
(c) How far was Hitler’s foreign policy to blame for
war in 1939? [8] 2009w
(c) How far was Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939)
responsible for causing war in Europe? 2005S
(c) How far was Treaty of Versailles to blame for
the outbreak of war in 1939? 2006w, 2004W
(c) How far was policy of appeasement responsible for
outbreak of war 1939? 2008W
(c) ‘Hitler’s desire for lebensraum was most important reason for outbreak
of war in 1939.’ 2005W
(c) ‘Events in Czechoslovakia in 1938–9
played a greater part in causing WWII than the Nazi-Soviet Pact.’ How far do you agree?
(c) ‘The Nazi-Soviet Pact played a greater
part in causing the war in 1939 than the policy of appeasement.’ How far do
you agree? 2009s
Hitler’s foreign policies
Lebensraum - ‘His desire for “lebensraum” for German
people threatened European peace as he aimed to carve out an empire in Europe
for the Aryan race.’
‘He marched into Poland on 1 Sept 1939. Hitler
did not believe they would go to war over Poland.’
‘His rise to power was based upon his promise to
destroy the Versailles Treaty, which inevitably meant war. Hitler left the League and
immediately began to rearm. In 1936 he re-militarised the Rhineland against the
terms of the Treaty.’
‘Treaties with other extremists such as
Rome-Berlin Axis, 1936.’
‘The Anschluss with Austria took place in 1938. There
then followed the agreement to Hitler’s demand for the Sudetenland and despite
the promise of no war Hitler took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.’
‘Hitler left the League, began re-arming,
introducing conscription, re-occupied the Rhineland and united with Austria.
These demonstrated his determination to increase his power in Europe and avenge
the T of V.’
‘Hitler went too far with his aggressive foreign
policy. He could not justify the occupation of Czechoslovakia or Poland.
Despite the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Britain had guaranteed to preserve the
independence of Poland. Hitler had finally pushed them to the point at which
they had to resist.’
Failure of the League of Nations
‘The League became powerless after failing to
deal with events in Manchuria and Abyssinia. When Hitler violated the treaty
terms one by one, the League could only watch. Later Hitler even withdrew from
the League and ignored it totally.
‘The League of Nations’ main weapon was only
sanctions. They were unwilling to impose effective sanctions against powerful
countries such as Italy. Its failure to act against Japan and Italy only led to
its demise and encouraged Hitler. Britain and France also lost faith in the
League and stopped working through it.’
‘Great Depression affected the League. Br did
not want to get involved sorting out international disputes while its economy
was suffering. Japan invaded Manchuria. Italy invaded Abyssinia. Hitler
followed suit without interference’
Long-term consequences of peace treaties
‘The Treaty was unfair and humiliating to Germany. The terms such as reparations,
disarmament and war guilt clause left Ger seeking revenge. It only created a bitter
Germany
which was determined to reverse its terms.’
‘Abolishing the Treaty persisted as part of Hitler’s
foreign policy and this promise to restore German pride was the main reason of
his rise to power.’
‘He intended to retrieve lands lost in 1919 and
build up German armed forces. The Treaty had denied Ger national
self-determination with Germans in the Sudetenland. It also wanted Anschluss
with Austria. The Treaty also took away the Polish Corridor and Hitler invaded Poland,
immediately leading to WWII.’
‘The British felt that Ger had been harshly
treated at Versailles and began to make concessions to Ger. Desperate to avoid
another war, Br and Fr responded to Hitler’s demands with the policy of
appeasement.’
‘The Treaty led to widespread unemployment in
Germany, led to the growth of power of the Nazi party who made no secret of the
desire to overthrow the T of V.’
Britain and France
‘Anglo-German Naval Treaty of 1935 allowed Ger
to increase its navy, failing to uphold the terms of the Treaty.’
‘They saw Germany as a useful barrier to the
expansion of communism from Soviet Russia.’
‘They failed to act when Hitler began to violate
the Treaty terms one-by-one.’
Appeasement
‘Br and Fr responded to Hitler’s threats with appeasement
– trying to satisfy German demands to preserve peace but this failed. Gaining the Sudetenland
gave Hitler economic and strategic strength and encouraged him to demand more.’
‘The appeasers missed vital opportunities to
stop Hitler. It also gave Hitler time to build up his military strength.’
‘By abandoning Czechoslovakia and offending
USSR, Br lost a potentially important allies against Hitler.’
‘Appeasement pushed Hitler towards the USSR.
This worried Stalin as he was not ready for war. To buy time to rearm, Stalin
signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact.’
Great Depression
‘Great Depression affected the League. Britain
did not want to get involved sorting out international disputes while its
economy was suffering. Japan wanted to improve its economy and invaded
Manchuria. Italy invaded Abyssinia. The League’s main weapon was sanctions. Powers
were unwilling to follow sanctions as it affected their economy. This failure
to act against Japan and Italy led to its demise and to Hitler seizing his
chance.’
‘The Great Depression brought military
extremists to power. Unemployment in Germany led to the growth of power of the
Nazi party whose aims were to overthrow the T of V, which inevitably led to
WWII.’
‘The USA was devastated by the Great Depression
and adopted isolation policy.’
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
‘The Pact led to German invasion of Poland.
This was the immediate trigger of WWII as Hitler could invade Poland without
interference from Stalin. Br and Fr declared war on Ger as they had guaranteed
Poland’s independence. The pact also left Br and Fr to fight Germany alone.’
‘The USSR was alarmed by the threat from Hitler, and that Britain and
France were trying to push Hitler towards the USSR. Hitler made no secret of
his plans to expand eastwards. Stalin could have also have chosen ally with Br
and Fr but thought he would get part of Poland with Hitler.’
USA
‘Hitler was helped by the isolation of the USA.
He knew he could do what he liked in Europe as America would not interfere.’
(b) Why did Britain go to war over
Poland in 1939? [7] 2004W
‘To stop Hitler.’ ‘They were forced to.’
‘Hitler pushed Britain too far.’
‘Hitler, at Munich, had promised that it would
never go to war and Chamberlain thought his policy of appeasement had worked.
The following year Hitler took Czechoslovakia and appeasement was dead.’
‘Britain (and France) had agreed to preserve
Poland’s independence if Hitler invaded.’
‘There was a formal alliance signed with Poland
on 25th August 1939.’
‘Hitler had ignored the ultimatum to call off
the attack of Poland.’
‘To avoid national humiliation and the
acceptance of German domination of Europe.’
