The Failure of Appeasement Beginning of World War II and Beginning of World War II

APPEASEMENT Definition: The attempt to pacify someone by giving in to their demands or allowing them to take action without challenging them. Have you ever been tempted to appease an aggressive person or group of people? Why are people tempted to appease?

Big Picture Questions: What actions do Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese Nationalists take to threaten peace? Why do the major powers stand by as Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese Militarists take over other countries? How does the Spanish Civil War involve all the dictators and how is it the “prequel” to WWII

League of Nations condemns attack, but fails to assist Ethiopia Fascist Italy Invades Ethiopia in 1935 League of Nations condemns attack, but fails to assist Ethiopia “God and history will remember your judgment…..it is us today. It will be you tomorrow” Haile Selassie - Leader of Ethiopia - 1936 Why does the League of Nations fail to assist Ethiopia?

Japanese Expansion Emperor Hirohito Militarist Leader Tojo 1910 – Takes over Korea 1931- Invades Manchuria 1933- Withdraws from League of Nations 1937- Invades China & kills/rapes tens of thousands of civilians During this period, other nations criticize Japan, but none with military strength steps in to stop growing Japanese domination of East Asia & the Pacific Discuss: WHY is Japan unchallenged?? Militarist Leader Tojo Emperor Hirohito

Spanish Civil War Assisted by Hitler and Mussolini The struggling Spanish Republic is assisted only by Stalin’s USSR Example of “Total War” (war on civilians) that will characterize WWII Francisco Franco – another extreme Nationalist promotes a return to the “greatness of the Spanish Empire” and a return to the traditional hierarchy of the church. Supported by wealthy and those afraid of communism. What has Spain been doing for the last 300 or so years? Unwavering absolute monarchy. Struggles with modernization (still very rural, large gap between rich and poor). A short attempt with a constitutional monarchy and then in the 1930s – for the first time Spain becomes a republic with a democratically elected government The new government promotes land reform for peasants and more general equality. (sounds like socialism...gets upper classes and those on the right nervous. Francisco Franco and his Falangist party, an extreme Nationalist group stage a coup. The Republic fights back. 1936-1939 is a brutal civil war. Germany and Italy help out Franco. They have modern weapons and send soldiers to “test out” their bomber jets on civilian targets. The Republic gets help from the Soviet Union (England, France, US want to all stay out of war). The USSR does not send their best weapons (sometimes guns from the Crimean War) and the republic is outmatched. Why an example of appeasement?

Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) (’38) Nazi Germany ignore stipulations of Versailles Treaty and Begins military buildup after Hitler takes power in 1933 Nazi militarism criticized, but not stopped when Germany expands with out any resistance: Rhineland (’36) Austria (’37) Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) (’38) Discuss: WHY is Germany unchallenged???

Munich Conference (September 1938) Meeting between Britain, France, Italy & Germany with the goal of preserving peace Britain & France allow Germany & Italy to keep territories they have taken in exchange for promises of no more expansion. Discuss: Why is Munich Pact another example of Appeasement?? Definition: The policy of granting concessions to potential enemies to maintain peace British PM Neville Chamberlain says after agreement: “I believe it is peace for our time” British PM after Chamberlin Winston Churhill say of Munich Pact: We are in the presence of a disaster of the first magnitude …we have sustained defeat without war….this is only the first sip….the foretaste of a bitter cup…. Unless we arise again and take our stand for freedom…

Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact (August 1939) Hitler & Stalin’s Secret Deal Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact (August 1939) A 10-year agreement between communist Russia & fascist Germany not to attack each other…pact actually lasts only 2 years Stalin & Hitler secretly agree to divide Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia Discuss: Why does “appeasement” encourage this agreement between Stalin & Hitler??

How and why does Hitler invade Poland? Why does it trigger WWII? WWII BEGINS: In Sept, 1939 Nazi Germany launches mechanized attack on Poland and then 6 months later on France called “Blitzkrieg” triggering WWII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu78iaVsBEE (37-47) How and why does Hitler invade Poland? Why does it trigger WWII?

Britain and France declare war on Germany Britain delivers an ultimatum to Germany. -Britain and France declare war but do nothing to help the Poles or fight Hitler. This is called the “phony war” where England and France watch and wait - Stalin invades Poland from the east.