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Political Extremism in Europe
The instability and insecurity of the 1920s and 1930s gave rise to political extremism in many European countries. People looked to authoritarian leadership as a political alternative. Fascist leader Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1922 and almost all aspects of Italian life came under state control. Hitler also established a totalitarian one party regime in Germany under the Nazis -
The legacy of WW1
People had high expectations that the post-war peace settlement would create a new world order and ensure that the slaughter of the First World War was never repeated. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in June 1919, created the League of Nations. However, the treaty was an uneasy compromise as each of the victorious Allies - Britain, America, France and Italy - looked to pursue their interests. Germany was forced to surrender territory, disarm and pay for the war's damage. This lead to resentment -
Italian and German aggression.
On 3 October 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Both countries were members of the League of Nations, and Italy's aggression compelled the League to intervene. With weak responses to the attack from Britain and France this encouraged Hitler to capture the Rhineland on 7 March 1936. -
German Expansion
Hitler's ambitions for German expansion became increasingly evident throughout 1938. German troops marched into Austria on 12 March annexing the country to Germany the next day. There was little international resistance to this Anschluss, which many viewed as a natural union. However, Hitler's demands for the German-speaking areas of Czechoslovakia created a crisis bringing Europe to the brink of war in September 1938. This lead to Britain + France appeasing him as were not ready for war -
Britain Appeases
The Italian, British, French and German leaders met in Munich on 29,30 September. Agreeing to accept German annexation of the Sudetenland and the British secured a peace pledge from Hitler. Czechoslovakia not invited to take part in the discussions forced to accept the Munich Agreement. Appeasement developed in response to Britain's assessment of its political, economic and strategic situation and was heavily influenced by strong anti-war sentiment. -
Defense of Poland
Recognising Hitler's ambitions Britain and France gave guarantees to defend Poland from invasion. -
Danzig Crisis
In October 1938, the German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop met with Polish ambassador Josef Lipski discuss Danzig return Germany. Discussions became forceful at meeting between Hitler Polish Foreign Minister Józef Beck on 5 January 1939. Poles refused to back down. Polish resistance to German strengthened after Britain and France defended them. April, Hitler ordered prepare invasion Poland, strength ties to Japan,threat to Britain's Empire in Far East.MaysignedmilitaryalliancewithItaly. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
USSRlargelywithdrawnfrominternationalaffairs in1920sand early1930s,Germanhostility+growing threatJapanrethinkforeignpolicyandrenewrelationshipBritain France.markedscepticism+distrust.Britain+France began talksUSSRinsummer1939butthreepowersstruggledreachagreementnegotiationscollapsed.Simultaneously,USSRdiscussingsettlemenTwithNAZI. The NaziSovietPactsigned23August1939withsecret protocolthatleftNAZIfreeattackPolandwithoutrisking warwithUSSRanddivideeasternEuropeinto GermanandUSSRsphereofinfluence. -
Germany Invades Poland
In response to the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Britain and Poland entered into a formal military alliance on 25 August. The British still hoped for a peaceful solution, but continued preparing for war. The next few days were marked by frantic attempts to reach a settlement. Mussolini told Hitler that despite their military alliance, Italy would not fight. Britain and Poland refused Hitler's proposals of keeping British Empire safe by solving Poland Crisis. The German invasion Polandbegan4.45amon1September -
Britain and France Declare War on Germany
Neville Chamberlain broadcast this announcement to the nation at 11.15am on 3 September. A British ultimatum demanding that Germany withdraw its troops from Poland had been delivered earlier that morning and expired at 11.00 without a reply. Britain was once again at war with Germany. The outbreak of war did not come as a surprise.