1. From crisis to crisis to World War II

2. Europe in 1937

3. Collective Security in the Interwar Period The League of Nations: The League of Nations: Possibility of sanctions and collective action against aggressorsPossibility of sanctions and collective action against aggressors France allies with countries surrounding Germany: France allies with countries surrounding Germany: PolandPoland Little entente:Little entente: Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Romania, Yugoslavia Yugoslavia UK doubtful: considers this provocative UK doubtful: considers this provocative

4. The spirit of Locarno (1925) Locarno Pacts: Work of Gustav Stresemann & Aristide Briand Work of Gustav Stresemann & Aristide Briand Signed by France, Belgium, Britain, Germany, Italy; also Poland, Czechoslovakia Signed by France, Belgium, Britain, Germany, Italy; also Poland, Czechoslovakia Accept Versailles frontiers & demilitarization of the Rhine (German territory bordering France) Accept Versailles frontiers & demilitarization of the Rhine (German territory bordering France) Guarantees of non-aggression Guarantees of non-aggression Provision for arbitration, mutual assistance Provision for arbitration, mutual assistance Kellogg-Briand Pact (Pact of Paris,1928) Signatories ban war as instrument of national policy Signatories ban war as instrument of national policy

5. Re-militarization of the Rhine (1936) League takes no action League takes no action Silently accepted by the British Silently accepted by the British France, France, preoccupied with internal concerns, unwilling to take action because League has not actedpreoccupied with internal concerns, unwilling to take action because League has not acted Rely instead on Maginot LineRely instead on Maginot Line

6. Anschluss (1938) Austria, rump state, deeply divided Austria, rump state, deeply divided Brief civil war, 1934 Brief civil war, 1934 Austrian Nazis undermine Dollfus gov’t Austrian Nazis undermine Dollfus gov’t Germany demands that Seyss-Inquart (Austrian Nazi leader) becomes chancellor Germany demands that Seyss-Inquart (Austrian Nazi leader) becomes chancellor Seyss-Inquart requests assistance, troops Seyss-Inquart requests assistance, troops Austria annexed Austria annexed Result endorsed in plebiscite Result endorsed in plebiscite

7. Sudetenland (1938) Hitler condemns Czechs for allegedly mistreating the Sudetenland Germans (3 of 13 million) Hitler condemns Czechs for allegedly mistreating the Sudetenland Germans (3 of 13 million) Demands self-determination for Sudetenland Demands self-determination for Sudetenland Neville Chamberlain, UK Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, UK Prime Minister meets with Hitler at Berchtesgaden (15 Sept. 1938)meets with Hitler at Berchtesgaden (15 Sept. 1938) gains delaygains delay Czech gov’t concedes self-determination in exchange for British & French guarantees Czech gov’t concedes self-determination in exchange for British & French guarantees Hitler increases demands at Bad Godesberg meeting: Hitler increases demands at Bad Godesberg meeting: Immediate annexation of SudetenlandImmediate annexation of Sudetenland Plebiscites in other German-speaking areasPlebiscites in other German-speaking areas Polish and Hungarian claims to be metPolish and Hungarian claims to be met Acceptance by Sept. 28 thAcceptance by Sept. 28 th Czechs reject, mobilize Czechs reject, mobilize British and French mobilize British and French mobilize

8. Munich (1938) Hitler, Mussolini, Chamberlain, Daladier meet on Sept 29 th (Mussolini’s suggestion) europe 1937 Hitler, Mussolini, Chamberlain, Daladier meet on Sept 29 th (Mussolini’s suggestion) europe 1937europe 1937europe 1937 Agree that German annexation of Sudetenland, Oct. 10 th Agree that German annexation of Sudetenland, Oct. 10 th Plebiscites to be held in other minority areasPlebiscites to be held in other minority areas British and French will guarantee new frontiersBritish and French will guarantee new frontiers Soviet Union offers to aid Czechoslovakia, but Soviet Union offers to aid Czechoslovakia, but Poland and Romania object to Soviet troops crossingPoland and Romania object to Soviet troops crossing Czechs must either accept or fight alone Czechs must either accept or fight alone Slovakia secedes, becomes German satellite Slovakia secedes, becomes German satellite Same fate awaits the Czechs. Same fate awaits the Czechs. Ruthenia is annexed by HungaryRuthenia is annexed by Hungary

9. Chamberlain’s position Apparent sincere desire to work with Hitler Apparent sincere desire to work with Hitler Show that ‘legitimate’ claims could be achieved by diplomacy Show that ‘legitimate’ claims could be achieved by diplomacy Leader of a country which was neither ready nor necessarily willing to fight for a distant land Leader of a country which was neither ready nor necessarily willing to fight for a distant land http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CAAqfS8lUQ http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/international_politics/clip s/7057/ http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/international_politics/clip s/7057/ http://www.entertonement.com/clippr/349

10. Problems with UK position Hitler not a ‘reasonable’ opponent Hitler not a ‘reasonable’ opponent Nor necessarily appeased or appeasable Nor necessarily appeased or appeasable Munich agreement surrenders defensible borders Munich agreement surrenders defensible borders Prague invaded, March 15, 1939 Prague invaded, March 15, 1939 Britain declares guarantees invalid because Czechoslovakia has disintegrated Britain declares guarantees invalid because Czechoslovakia has disintegrated

11. Outbreak of war (1939) In aftermath, Britain signs treaties guaranteeing independence of Poland, Romania, Greece, Turkey Britain signs treaties guaranteeing independence of Poland, Romania, Greece, Turkey Germany begins making demands on Poland Germany begins making demands on Poland increased access across Polish corridor and Danzigincreased access across Polish corridor and Danzig April 6 th : UK & France guarantee Polish borders April 6 th : UK & France guarantee Polish borders Germany & USSR sign non-aggression pact: Germany & USSR sign non-aggression pact: interests prevail over ideologyinterests prevail over ideology Germany makes further demands Germany makes further demands Invades, Sept. 1 st – pretext of fake Polish attackInvades, Sept. 1 st – pretext of fake Polish attack Britain & France demand withdrawal, declare war Britain & France demand withdrawal, declare war http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yENAzd3qesQ USSR attacks Poland from east, Sept. 17 th USSR attacks Poland from east, Sept. 17 th http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/euro1942.htm

12. Some considerations Absence of effective international institutions Absence of effective international institutions Failure of deterrence: Failure of deterrence: Britain and France unable to engage USSR against Germany:Britain and France unable to engage USSR against Germany: Problem of Poland Problem of Poland Problem of mutual mistrust Problem of mutual mistrust Fail to enlist Italy against Germany:Fail to enlist Italy against Germany: Instead German Italian rapprochement from 1936 Instead German Italian rapprochement from 1936 Pact of Steel. May 22, 1939 Pact of Steel. May 22, 1939 Fundamental misperception of German aims by the British? Fundamental misperception of German aims by the British? Or did anti-Bolshevism prevail? Or did anti-Bolshevism prevail?

13. Differences between WW I & WW II World War II more of a global conflict World War II more of a global conflict Fought on two theatres:Fought on two theatres: Europe and North Africa / Asia/Pacific Europe and North Africa / Asia/Pacific More extensive engagement of 20 th c technologies More extensive engagement of 20 th c technologies Role of air power, radar, cryptologyRole of air power, radar, cryptology Mechanized warfare and role of new strategies - blitzkriegMechanized warfare and role of new strategies - blitzkrieg Greater involvement of civilian populations during & after: Greater involvement of civilian populations during & after: WWI: borders invented & adjusted but people left in placeWWI: borders invented & adjusted but people left in place WWII:WWII: With exception of Poland, boundaries stayed broadly intact With exception of Poland, boundaries stayed broadly intact But people were moved. But people were moved. The term ‘ethnic cleansing’ might not have existed but the practice certainly did and nobody denounced it. The term ‘ethnic cleansing’ might not have existed but the practice certainly did and nobody denounced it. Staggering losses – 50 million dead Staggering losses – 50 million dead More extensive planning for peace More extensive planning for peace

14. For discussion: Was this Was this one continuous conflict, beginning in 1914, with a pause in between?one continuous conflict, beginning in 1914, with a pause in between? or were these discrete wars?or were these discrete wars? Could World War II have been avoided? Could World War II have been avoided? If so, when and how?If so, when and how?