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

Hitler rearms military Calls for draft 1935

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

Treaty of Versailles allowed for only 100, 000 soldiers, 0 warplanes, 0 subs, 6 warships, no draft

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.

Hitler rearms military Calls for draft 1935Treaty of Versailles allowed for only 100, 000 soldiers, 0 warplanes, 0 subs, 6 warships, no draft

Proved Western Power War weariness

Germany sends military into the Rhineland3/7/1936

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

Germany sends military into the Rhineland3/7/1936

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.

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.”

Germany Annexation of Austria 1938Why 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.

3 Outcomes

1. Hitler was embolden to continue this form of blackmail

2. Italy and German form the Axis powers

Encourages both to continue conquests

3. 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

Hitler threatens war over Sudetenland1938

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.

Hitler threatens war over Sudetenland1938

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.

Sudetenland

20:00

Invasion of Poland23:00

Hitler Invades PolandSept 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 spaceSigned a defense pact

Questions

1. Why did the policy of appeasement not work well in dealing with Hitler?

2. Overall what was the biggest mistakes of the Western powers?

3. What would have been your “final straw?”

4. Was Hitler underestimated?