Appeasement

1. Appeasement The process of reducing to a state of peace, often by satisfying demands even of potential enemies, in order to achieve or maintain peace, often at the expense of principle Western Powers- War Weary, struggling economies, weak governments Hitler- no morals looking to take advantage of a situation

2. Hitler rearms military Calls for draft1935 Treaty of Versailles allowed for only 100, 000 soldiers, 0 warplanes, 0 subs, 6 warships, no draft Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning Is this violation of the Treaty of Versailles large enough to start a war? Explain your reasoning. How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions Mild Protest, appeals to the League of Nations, representatives met with Hitler and accepted his argument that Germany was a great power and had a right to build up a force that was proportionate to its international standing.- no Economic or military sanctions. Hitler was convinced that the Western powers would do anything to avoid war.

3. Hitler rearms military Calls for draft1935 Treaty of Versailles allowed for only 100, 000 soldiers, 0 warplanes, 0 subs, 6 warships, no draft Proved Western Power War weariness

4. Germany sends militaryinto the Rhineland • 3/7/1936 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning Is this violation of the Treaty of Versailles large enough to start a war? Explain your reasoning. How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions

6. Germany sends militaryinto the Rhineland • 3/7/1936 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning Is this violation of the Treaty of Versailles large enough to start a war? Explain your reasoning. How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions Although the French, Czechs, and Poles had 90 divisions they refused to attacked Realized international crisis are more about battles of will as opposed to battles of war.

7. The British government did not oppose the act in principle, feeling with Lord Lothian that "the Germans are after all only going into their own back garden According to the French ambassador to Germany, “Hitler struck his adversary in the face, and as he did so declared: ‘I bring you proposals of peace.’” The French, Poles, and the Czechs had 90 divisions ready to fight the meager, unprepared, under armed German force. They did not attack According the Hitler, “Those 48 hours, were the most nerve racking of my life. If the French had marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs.”

8. Germany Annexation of Austria1938 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning Is this violation of the Treaty of Versailles large enough to start a war? Explain your reasoning. How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions France and Britain agreed to be neutral. Hitler strong armed and threatened the weak Austrian Chancellor into giving his nation to Germany.

11. 3 Outcomes Hitler was embolden to continue this form of blackmail Italy and German form the Axis powers Encourages both to continue conquests Gives German access to Southern Europe Pre – Austria Hitler had to be careful and use politics and will to avoid war After Austria the 3rd Reich was strong enough that the tables were turned and now the English and French had to try to avoid war. War to most diplomats is a last resort to a failed foreign policy To Hitler War was foreign policy

12. Hitler threatens war overSudetenland • 1938 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning How did he do this? How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions Hitler hated Czechoslovakia, according to him they had Slavic inferiors, a commitment to democracy, and a friendship with France and Russia. This was a stepping stone to the Living Space in the East. “They will be smashed.” Hitler claimed that Czechoslovakia was a historic mistake because too many groups wanted autonomy. He believed that Western Powers secretly agreed with him. Important location to control Europe Claimed that the Sudeten Germans were being treated unfairly and that they should be granted self-determination. Did not want a dispute over another small European nation to lead to war. The Munich Conference- Gave the Sudetenland to Germany in exchange for Germany’s promise to respect the new borders of Czechoslovakia. The is the classic example of Appeasement.

14. Hitler threatens war overSudetenland • 1938 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning How did he do this? How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions Hitler hated Czechoslovakia, according to him they had Slavic inferiors, a commitment to democracy, and a friendship with France and Russia. This was a stepping stone to the Living Space in the East. “They will be smashed.” Hitler claimed that Czechoslovakia was a historic mistake because too many groups wanted autonomy. He believed that Western Powers secretly agreed with him. Important location to control Europe Claimed that the Sudeten Germans were being treated unfairly and that they should be granted self-determination. Did not want a dispute over another small European nation to lead to war. The Munich Conference- Gave the Sudetenland to Germany in exchange for Germany’s promise to respect the new borders of Czechoslovakia. The is the classic example of Appeasement. Within 6 months Hitler invaded and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia. The French and English violated their defense pact by doing nothing.

16. Sudetenland 20:00 Invasion of Poland 23:00

17. Hitler Invades Poland Sept 1 1939 Why is Hitler doing this? Military, historical, philosophical reasoning Is this violation of the Treaty of Versailles large enough to start a war? Explain your reasoning. How do the Allies react? Hitler’s reactions Living space Signed a defense pact

20. Questions Why did the policy of appeasement not work well in dealing with Hitler? Overall what was the biggest mistakes of the Western powers? What was the biggest missed opportunity? What would have been your “final straw?” Was Hitler underestimated?