By: Emily Southey

Opposition Arguments Why they were NOT the primary cause of WWII: Treaty of Versailles The treaty itself was not the cause, it was the idealistic allies failing to make it harsh enough that allowed Germany to rebuild which led to the war Additionally, the allies appeasement (idealistic) of Germany’s violations of the treaty led to the war Hitler’s Germany Hitler could have been stopped numerous times. Hitler himself said that if they met French resistance in the Rhineland, they would have been forced to retreat. Military Ambition The other axis powers (Italy and Japan) would not have started a war on their own, they did not have the resources to wage war(military, industrial strength)

IDEALIST THINKER(S) THEIR IDEALISTIC POLICY THE GOAL OF THEIR POLICY/IDEA HOW IT LED TO WWII Neville Chamberlain AppeasementTo prevent war through negotiation Enabled/encouraged Hitler to build up his military and continue to occupy land Woodrow Wilson The League of Nations To promote peace through international co- operation (e.g. collective security) They did not enforce it which gave dictators the idea that they could continue to expand without facing consequences David Lloyd George & Woodrow Wilson The Treaty of Versailles To limit Germany’s power to rebuild, however, not fully as co- operation is important in peace Allowed Germany to rebuild and become a world superpower, as it wasn’t limiting enough on Germany

 Assumptions of idealism related to appeasement: War can be prevented & international cooperation will promote peace. maintaining peace and preventing war.  Definition: the policy of acceding to the demands of a potentially hostile nation in the hope of maintaining peace and preventing war.

the allies did NOTHING  Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription and rebuilding his Navy (Kreigsmarine), armoured divisons (Panzerwaffe), and Air Force (Luftwaffe), and yet the allies did NOTHING 95 warships, 8,250 airplanesarmy of over 1 million soldiers.  Germany had assembled 95 warships, 8,250 airplanes, and an army of over 1 million soldiers.

 The Anglo-German Naval Agreement allowed Germany to increase their navy  Britain allowed Germany to increase their navy to 35% of Britain’s at the time  Britain believed that this cooperation with Germany could prevent them from expanding: Idealistic assumptions-War can be prevented and international cooperation will promote peace

If the French had then marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate “The forty-eight hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had then marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance.”

Hitler would have fallen  "If you French had intervened in the Rhineland in 1936 we would have been sunk and Hitler would have fallen.” -Heinz Guderian, German General

 “The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace.” -Neville Chamberlain at the Heston Aerdome in 1938 NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN: AN IDEALIST

 “My good friends, for the second time in our history a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time”. -Neville Chamberlain, 1938

 “The enemy did not expect my great determination.  “The enemy did not expect my great determination. Our enemies are little worms, I saw them at Munich…Now Poland is in the position I wanted”. – Adolf Hitler, August 22, 1939

conscription and began rebuilding their armed forces  March Hitler introduced military conscription and began rebuilding their armed forces Rhineland  March Hitler invaded the Rhineland annexed Austria in the Anschluss  March Hitler annexed Austria in the Anschluss Czechoslovakia  March Hitler occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia Poland  September 1, Hitler invaded Poland NOTHING. idealistically All of these violations, and what did France and Britain do? NOTHING. They idealistically believed that appeasing Hitler would prevent war.

 “By continually giving in to Hitler they tempted Hitler to go further and further, thus encouraging him into a war”.  “By continually giving in to Hitler they tempted Hitler to go further and further, thus encouraging him into a war”. -British Historian A.J.P. Taylor

Hitler is one of the greatest men."  "I have never met a happier people than the Germans and Hitler is one of the greatest men." -David Lloyd George A magnetic dynamic personality with a single-minded purpose, a resolute will, and a dauntless heart.  “One man has accomplished this miracle. He is a born leader of men. A magnetic dynamic personality with a single-minded purpose, a resolute will, and a dauntless heart. He is the national Leader. ”-David Lloyd George I, too, say that because he is truly a great man.”-  "Yes, Heil Hitler. I, too, say that because he is truly a great man.”- David Lloyd George  “There is no human being living whose promise on important matters I would trust more readily.“-  “There is no human being living whose promise on important matters I would trust more readily.“- Viscount Rothermere, British Politician