AP World History POD #24 – Europe Clings to Relevance Prelude to War
Class Discussion Questions McKay- “Nazi Expansion and the Second World War”, pp
What actions indicated to the world that Hitler had an increasing disrespect for international diplomacy? “Hitler’s tactics in international politics after 1933 strikingly resembled those he had used in domestic politics between 1924 and When Hitler was weak he righteously proclaimed that he intended to overturn the unjust system established by the Treaties of Versailles and Locarno- but only by legal means. As he grew stronger and as other leaders showed their willingness to compromise he increased his demands and finally began attacking his independent neighbors.” October Hitler walked out of a 60 nation disarmament conference and withdrew form the League of Nations March Hitler established a general military draft and declared the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty null and void.
What is appeasement? granting Hitler everything he could reasonably want and more to prevent war
How did the European community appease Hitler? June Anglo-German naval agreement ended Germany’s isolation March Hitler marched his troops into the Rhineland (last good chance to stop Hitler- he ordered a retreat if France resisted militarily) Britain continued to appease Germany far into 1939 as they felt Stalin was a greater threat than Hitler Late Rome-Berlin (later Tokyo) Axis was formed March Hitler forced Austria to place local Nazis in control of the government September Hitler demanded the Sudentenland be turned over to Germany- this was agreed to March Slovakia becomes a German puppet state
What was the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact? each nation promised to remain neutral if the other was involved in a war divided eastern Europe into German and Soviet zones
What event triggered World War Two? September, 1, 1939 GERMANY INVADES POLAND