Munich Conference

Mussolini, Hitler, Daladier, Chamberlain

Results of MunichHitler put Europe on the brink of warAggressor, Britain and France sough peaceClear Poland would be nextBritain and France issue another warningAppeasement was at an endBritain and France unaware Germany has been meeting with Soviet Union

Results of MunichOne of the most controversial agreements in historyNazi-Soviet PactAgreed not to attack one another, secretly agreed to divide PolandShort-term benefit for Hitler, no risk of a two-front warWould gain staging area for future invasion of Soviet Union

Cartoon Analysis

Why Did Germany Sign?Hitler wanted to avoid a war on two frontsDid not believe Britain and France would intervene if he allied with StalinEconomic aid from USSR would negate impact of Anglo-French blockageHitler would deal with the West before the Soviet Union

Why Did USSR Sign?USSR would not have to get involved in a war in the WestAlready faced a threat from Japan in the East, Army had been weakened by Stalins purgesGave Stalin time to prepare for war, always hope that Germany and the West would weaken each other in the war and USSR would be left strongestStalin would gain half of Poland and opportunity to take Finland and Baltic StatesGermany was still the USSRs major trading partner

The Invasion of PolandMost immediate cause of WWIIPoland had been created after WWI, given land corridor through former German territoryDanzig was meant to be a free city for Poles to useKnew this would cause future tension, Germans never accepted itNazis came to power there after Hitler

The Invasion of PolandPoland was also threatened by the Soviets1920, Red Army had invaded and attempted to consolidate control of Eastern EuropePoles had rallied at Warsaw, key for national identity, important so that they not make concessions in 1939Hitler demanded Danzig in 1939, Poles respond by mobilizingMarch 1939, Britain and France guarantee supportSaw the issue as between German ambition and Polish determination to defend themselvesHitler invades September 1, war declaredMaybe not the enemies he had envisioned

AppeasementBritish policy throughout 1930sMay have encouraged HitlerFurther alienated the USSRStalin thought it was meant to start conflict between him and GermanyHitler gambled on this with PolandWas Hitler acting or reacting?The fault Hitlers or other European statesmen?Case against appeasementWith more territory, Germany became better defended, had more soldiers, workers, materials, industryBritain had not even prepared by 1939Had led to Nazi-Soviet Pact

Justification for AppeasementShaped foreign policy since WWIISituation was complex for Chamberlain thoughBritish economy down, rearmament difficultMemories of WWIPeople had to want warHitlers demands were seen as just revision of VersaillesMany thought it was too harshMunich was the end

ChamberlainThought there were three key issues to be resolvedTerritorial grievancesEconomic problemsAbsence of raw materialsAppeasement would lead to a more moderate Germany, which would benefit the worldHimself, did not believe in peace at any priceWould not have been prepared to fight Hitler in 1930s

FranceFrance took the lead from Britain, could not have acted aloneRhineland had not been policed effectivelyFocused on rebuilding of Maginot LineGovernment was suffering internal divisionThought military response may build support for NazisOverall, fears of communism did not help, Hitler may have been lesser of two evils