The International Response to German Aggression (1933–1938)
The Context of German Aggression
- Withdrawal from the League of Nations (1933): Germany signaled its rejection of international oversight.
- Rearmament (1935): Germany reintroduced conscription and expanded its military, violating the Treaty of Versailles.
- Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936): German troops entered the demilitarized zone, defying both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.
- Anschluss with Austria (1938): Germany annexed Austria, further destabilizing Europe.
- Sudetenland Crisis (1938): Hitler demanded the Sudetenland, leading to the Munich Agreement.
Note
These actions were part of Hitler's broader strategy to overturn the post-World War I order and expand German territory.
The International Response to German Rearmament
- Germany's Withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference (1933):
- Germany left the League of Nations and the Disarmament Conference, citing unfair treatment.
- This move signaled Germany's intent to rearm independently.
- British and French Reactions:
- Britain initially sought compromise, proposing to allow Germany a larger army and air force.
- However, Germany's introduction of conscription in 1935 ended these efforts.
- The Stresa Front (1935):
- Britain, France, and Italy formed the Stresa Front to oppose German rearmament.
- This alliance was weakened by:
- The Franco-Soviet Mutual Assistance Treaty, which alienated Italy.
- The Anglo-German Naval Agreement, allowing Germany to expand its navy, undermining the Stresa Front.
Tip
- When evaluating the policy of non-intervention, consider:
- How it disproportionately affected the Spanish Republicans by preventing them from receiving aid.
- While the Nationalists benefited from German and Italian support.
Anschluss with Austria (1938)
- Limited International Response:
- France was in political crisis and unable to act.
- Britain viewed Anschluss as inevitable and was unwilling to use force.
- Italy's Shift:
- Mussolini, now aligned with Germany, refused to intervene despite previous commitments to Austrian independence.
Analogy
- Think of the Anschluss as a domino falling in a line of events.
- Each time the international community failed to act, it set the stage for the next act of aggression, culminating in the outbreak of World War II.
The Sudetenland Crisis and the Munich Agreement (1938)
- Hitler's Demands:
- Hitler demanded the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German population.
- The Munich Conference:
- Britain, France, Germany, and Italy met in Munich in September 1938.
- Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union were excluded from the negotiations.
- The Sudetenland was ceded to Germany in exchange for Hitler's promise of no further territorial expansion.
- Reactions to Munich:
- Britain: Chamberlain declared "peace for our time," but critics like Winston Churchill condemned the agreement as appeasement.
- France: Relieved to avoid war but aware of the strategic loss.
- Czechoslovakia: Felt betrayed by its allies.
Theory of Knowledge
- How does the concept of appeasement illustrate the tension between ethical principles and pragmatic decision-making in international relations?
- Can appeasement ever be justified?
Self review
- Appeasement as a Strategy:
- Britain and France prioritized avoiding war, but this allowed Germany to grow stronger.
- Lessons for Future Diplomacy:
- The failure to confront aggression early highlights the importance of collective security and decisive action.
