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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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
Why does the League of Nations
fail to assist Ethiopia?

5. 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

6. 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 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?

7. 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???

8. 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…

9. 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??

10. 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 (37-47)
How and why does Hitler invade Poland? Why does it trigger WWII?

11. 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.