AppeasementAppeasement

AppeasementAppeasement

► Japanese Invasion of ManchuriaJapanese Invasion of Manchuria

AppeasementAppeasement► Japanese Invasion of ManchuriaJapanese Invasion of Manchuria► Japanese occupied Chinese town of Japanese occupied Chinese town of Mukden Mukden and and

waged war against Chinawaged war against China► Condemned by League of Nations who ordered the Condemned by League of Nations who ordered the

withdrawal of Japanese Troops.withdrawal of Japanese Troops.► However – Sympathy in GB for JapaneseHowever – Sympathy in GB for Japanese► Sir John Simon put forward both sides of case – Japan Sir John Simon put forward both sides of case – Japan

had been involved in province since 1890’s & gained had been involved in province since 1890’s & gained privileged position following Russo Japanese war .privileged position following Russo Japanese war .

► Japanese had invested millions and feared exclusion Japanese had invested millions and feared exclusion by China’s ruler by China’s ruler Chiang Kai-Shek Chiang Kai-Shek & was not prepared & was not prepared to lose a valuable province of 30m at time of to lose a valuable province of 30m at time of economic hardship.economic hardship.

AppeasementAppeasement► GB Govt hoped Japanese would attack Soviet GB Govt hoped Japanese would attack Soviet

Union, and preferred Japanese to Russian Union, and preferred Japanese to Russian influence in Asiainfluence in Asia

► At Simon’s suggestion an investigating At Simon’s suggestion an investigating commission was appointed ( ignoring the fact commission was appointed ( ignoring the fact that Japanese & Chinese were fighting ) that Japanese & Chinese were fighting )

► The Commission found that there were faults The Commission found that there were faults on both sides and ordered that Manchuria be on both sides and ordered that Manchuria be governed by the League.governed by the League.

► The question of economic sanctions was not The question of economic sanctions was not raised, as GB & France felt that a trade raised, as GB & France felt that a trade boycott would lead to a war with Japan that boycott would lead to a war with Japan that (Without US help) they could not win.(Without US help) they could not win.

AppeasementAppeasement► World Disarmament Conference 1832-34World Disarmament Conference 1832-34► Arthur Henderson Chairman until 1931Arthur Henderson Chairman until 1931► Conference foundered due to complete unwillingness Conference foundered due to complete unwillingness

of many govt.’s to agree to restrictions on their of many govt.’s to agree to restrictions on their national sovereignty.national sovereignty.

► Treaty of Versailles had imposed a permanent system Treaty of Versailles had imposed a permanent system of control on Germany – including entry to factories of control on Germany – including entry to factories without notice. German arms manufacture was limited without notice. German arms manufacture was limited to specially licensed factoriesto specially licensed factories

► French refused to agree that the Germans should be French refused to agree that the Germans should be allowed equality of armaments with France.allowed equality of armaments with France.

► With GB refusing France an automatic guarantee of With GB refusing France an automatic guarantee of armed help in the event of an attack by Germany the armed help in the event of an attack by Germany the French were determined to deny Germany as it became French were determined to deny Germany as it became more and more afraid of German rearmamentmore and more afraid of German rearmament

► Hitler took the opportunity to walk out & take Germany Hitler took the opportunity to walk out & take Germany out of The League of Nations, marking the end of out of The League of Nations, marking the end of collective security.collective security.

AppeasementAppeasement► March 1935 Govt. White Paper March 1935 Govt. White Paper “Statement Relating to “Statement Relating to

Defence”Defence”► End of collective security meant that GB must build up End of collective security meant that GB must build up

her own military strengthher own military strength► Gradual rearmament started.Gradual rearmament started.► Hitler now had excuse that he needed to reintroduce Hitler now had excuse that he needed to reintroduce

conscription & build up German Army to 600,000 men.conscription & build up German Army to 600,000 men.► Both were breaches of Treaty of VersaillesBoth were breaches of Treaty of Versailles► Macdonald meets Mussolini & French Foreign Minister Macdonald meets Mussolini & French Foreign Minister

LAVAL at Stresa LAVAL at Stresa ► They promise to resist any breaches of treaties which They promise to resist any breaches of treaties which

may endanger peace may endanger peace Stresa Front► Abyssinia was not discussed – Mussolini took from this

that GB would turn a blind eye – colonial expansion only.

► With the collapse of the World Disarmament With the collapse of the World Disarmament Conference in My 1934 GB Govt. had to face the fact Conference in My 1934 GB Govt. had to face the fact that British disarmament had gone too far, and the that British disarmament had gone too far, and the national forces were dangerously weak.national forces were dangerously weak.

► During a difficult Commons’ Debate Nov 1934 Baldwin During a difficult Commons’ Debate Nov 1934 Baldwin & Chamberlain mismanaged it & gave the impression, & Chamberlain mismanaged it & gave the impression, eagerly taken up by Hitler that they wanted to eagerly taken up by Hitler that they wanted to legalize German rearmament.legalize German rearmament.

► Knowledge of German rearmament was seen as Knowledge of German rearmament was seen as approval.approval.

► Hitler believed that the Commons debate had given Hitler believed that the Commons debate had given him the green light to go ahead with rearming. A mild him the green light to go ahead with rearming. A mild note from Britain to Germany did nothing to undo the note from Britain to Germany did nothing to undo the effect of the Debate, while the French were appalled.effect of the Debate, while the French were appalled.

► Hitler now no longer cared whether his rearmament Hitler now no longer cared whether his rearmament was legal or not. Indecisive British action was seen as was legal or not. Indecisive British action was seen as proof that GB would not support the French.proof that GB would not support the French.

Anglo-German Naval Agreement June 1935Anglo-German Naval Agreement June 1935Simon said the GB Govt. “earnestly desired” an Simon said the GB Govt. “earnestly desired” an

agreement with Germany on naval power.agreement with Germany on naval power.16th March Hitler told Sir Eric Phipps he would be 16th March Hitler told Sir Eric Phipps he would be

content to have 35% of the strength of the British content to have 35% of the strength of the British fleet.fleet.

Meanwhile Hitler told Simon that Germany had Meanwhile Hitler told Simon that Germany had reached air parity with Britain.reached air parity with Britain.

Gross breach of Treaty of Versailles.Gross breach of Treaty of Versailles.BG accepted this, and even allowed Germany to BG accepted this, and even allowed Germany to

build 45% of total of GB submarinesbuild 45% of total of GB submarinesGB fleet was already overstretched – patrolling far GB fleet was already overstretched – patrolling far

East, Mediterranean & German coastal waters. East, Mediterranean & German coastal waters. Limiting German ships would lead to the stationing Limiting German ships would lead to the stationing

of fewer ships on German coast – easier to fulfil of fewer ships on German coast – easier to fulfil commitments in Far East & defence of Indiacommitments in Far East & defence of India

Mussolini convinced of Britain’s cynicism and self Mussolini convinced of Britain’s cynicism and self interest & disgusted Laval who decided there was interest & disgusted Laval who decided there was more to be gained from cooperating with more to be gained from cooperating with MussoliniMussolini

Italian invasion of AbyssiniaItalian invasion of Abyssinia► Like all dictators Mussolini felt he needed a military triumph Like all dictators Mussolini felt he needed a military triumph

to seal his popularity - & Italians wanted a dividend from the to seal his popularity - & Italians wanted a dividend from the economic sacrifices they had made to pay for rearmament.economic sacrifices they had made to pay for rearmament.

► Mussolini felt confident that GB would not risk going to war Mussolini felt confident that GB would not risk going to war with Italy.with Italy.

► Fascist propaganda had convinced a large proportion of the Fascist propaganda had convinced a large proportion of the Italian nation that Britain with her rich colonies was trying to Italian nation that Britain with her rich colonies was trying to deny Italy her right to a similar African empire.deny Italy her right to a similar African empire.

► Germany was now seen as the main threat to peace in Germany was now seen as the main threat to peace in Europe, and wanted to uses Italy as an ally.Europe, and wanted to uses Italy as an ally.

► Sir Anthony Eden was sent to Rome to make an offer to Sir Anthony Eden was sent to Rome to make an offer to Mussolini - he could take part of Abyssinia( who was a Mussolini - he could take part of Abyssinia( who was a member of the League of Nations & GB would give Italy part member of the League of Nations & GB would give Italy part of British Somaliland as compensation.of British Somaliland as compensation.

► Mussolini refusedMussolini refused► Hoare spoke at League (Sept 1935). GB would support the Hoare spoke at League (Sept 1935). GB would support the

League against acts of unprovoked agressionLeague against acts of unprovoked agression► Mussolini ignored and went ahead with the invasionMussolini ignored and went ahead with the invasion

Italian invasion of AbyssiniaItalian invasion of Abyssinia► Haile Selassie appealed to the League, and economic Haile Selassie appealed to the League, and economic

sanctions were applied to Italysanctions were applied to Italy► Baldwin fights the 1935 General Election “Baldwin fights the 1935 General Election “I give you my I give you my

word of honour that there will be no great rearmaments” word of honour that there will be no great rearmaments” ► National Govt won convincing victoryNational Govt won convincing victory► Post election – clear sanctions were not working. Post election – clear sanctions were not working.

Including oil & coal in sanctions would have brought Italy Including oil & coal in sanctions would have brought Italy to its knees.to its knees.

► Cabinet rejected this idea fearing it would provoke Italy Cabinet rejected this idea fearing it would provoke Italy to declare war for which GB was unprepared.to declare war for which GB was unprepared.

► News of News of Hoare Laval Hoare Laval pact caused public outragepact caused public outrage► No further action was taken & by April 1936 the Italian No further action was taken & by April 1936 the Italian

conquest of Abyssinia was completeconquest of Abyssinia was complete► June 1936 ineffective economic sanctions were June 1936 ineffective economic sanctions were

discontinueddiscontinued► ResultsResults League & collective security finally discredited. League & collective security finally discredited.► Mussolini drew closer to Hitler as result of sanctionsMussolini drew closer to Hitler as result of sanctions► In return Mussolini withdrew objections to In return Mussolini withdrew objections to AnschlussAnschluss► Hitler uses events to send troops into Rhineland . Hitler uses events to send troops into Rhineland .

Baldwin’s popularity slumped dramaticallyBaldwin’s popularity slumped dramatically

► http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/mussolini/http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/mussolini/default.htmdefault.htm

German troops occupy the RhinelandGerman troops occupy the Rhineland

Hitler gave his troops orders to withdraw at the first Hitler gave his troops orders to withdraw at the first sign of French oppositionsign of French opposition

None was offeredNone was offered

Hitler offered a peace treaty for 25 yearsHitler offered a peace treaty for 25 years

Baldwin & Eden judged that public opinion would not Baldwin & Eden judged that public opinion would not have supported military action since the Rhineland have supported military action since the Rhineland was was part of Germanypart of Germany

Lord Lothian remarked that the German troops had Lord Lothian remarked that the German troops had merely entered their own back gardenmerely entered their own back garden

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Spanish Civil War 1936 - 39Spanish Civil War 1936 - 39

Spanish Civil War 1936 - 39Spanish Civil War 1936 - 39

June 1936 General Franco’s army revolted against the left – June 1936 General Franco’s army revolted against the left – wing republican govt.wing republican govt.

Quick victory was expected, however republicans controlled Quick victory was expected, however republicans controlled the South including Madrid & a bitter struggle developedthe South including Madrid & a bitter struggle developed

GB, France, Germany & Italy agreed not to interfere GB, France, Germany & Italy agreed not to interfere

Mussolini & Hitler sent troops (50,000 Italian Troops)Mussolini & Hitler sent troops (50,000 Italian Troops)

Labour under Clement Atlee shrank away from involvement Labour under Clement Atlee shrank away from involvement with Communistswith Communists

Conservatives disapproved of republican govt. so would not Conservatives disapproved of republican govt. so would not aidaid

Volunteers were allowed to go - International BrigaeVolunteers were allowed to go - International Brigae

April 1938 Attempts to resurrect Stresa- Recognition of Italian April 1938 Attempts to resurrect Stresa- Recognition of Italian possession of Abyssinia in return for the withdrawal of Italian possession of Abyssinia in return for the withdrawal of Italian troops from Spaintroops from Spain

Mussolini ignored his side of the bargain, and GB was made to Mussolini ignored his side of the bargain, and GB was made to look weak and indecisivelook weak and indecisive

Italian & German help was decisive in securing victory for Italian & German help was decisive in securing victory for FrancoFranco

German Occupation of AustriaGerman Occupation of Austria

Further breach of Versailles the Further breach of Versailles the AnschlussAnschluss

Austrian Nazis staged huge demonstrations in Vienna, Graqz Austrian Nazis staged huge demonstrations in Vienna, Graqz & Linz which Austrian chancellor could not control& Linz which Austrian chancellor could not control

Realising impending German invasion he announced a Realising impending German invasion he announced a referendum about whether Austria should remain referendum about whether Austria should remain independentindependent

Hitler decided to act before the vote in case it went against Hitler decided to act before the vote in case it went against himhim

German troops moved in and made Austria part pf the Third German troops moved in and made Austria part pf the Third ReichReich

GB & France did no more than protest and again were made GB & France did no more than protest and again were made to look weakto look weak

New understanding with Italy underlinedNew understanding with Italy underlined

New threat to Czechoslovakia – could now be attacked from New threat to Czechoslovakia – could now be attacked from south, west & north - Sudetenland nextsouth, west & north - Sudetenland next