AQA GCSE History Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 Part 9 - The outbreak of World War 2

Summary

This revision video explores the immediate causes and background of World War II, focusing on key events between 1938 and 1939. It examines Hitler’s territorial expansion, including the Sudetenland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, and the resulting failures of appeasement by Britain and France. The video also explains Stalin’s concerns, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and its role as the trigger for war, leading to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of WWII. Broader factors like the Treaty of Versailles, the Great Depression, the League of Nations’ weaknesses, and global isolationism are discussed, alongside the debate over responsibility among Hitler, Chamberlain, Stalin, and Mussolini.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Munich Agreement of September 1938 allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, with a promise not to take further European territory.
• ⚠️ In March 1939, Germany occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia, showing that Hitler broke his promises and undermining appeasement policies.
• 🤝 The Nazi-Soviet Pact, signed on 23 August 1939, allowed Germany to invade Poland while giving the Soviet Union territory in return and a 10-year non-aggression promise.
• 🛡️ Stalin lost trust in Britain and France due to their appeasement and exclusion from the Munich Agreement, prompting the Soviet Union to secure its own safety.
• 💣 Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 using blitzkrieg tactics, triggering Britain and France to declare war, marking the start of World War II.
• 📉 The failures of the League of Nations, including in Manchuria and Abyssinia, weakened international mechanisms to prevent conflict.
• ⚖️ Hitler's aggressive foreign policy, including rearmament, Rhineland remilitarization, and territorial expansion, was a major cause of WWII.
• 🤔 Appeasement by Britain and France, including sacrifices like Czechoslovakia and inaction over Austria, contributed to Hitler’s confidence and the outbreak of war.
• 🌐 The Great Depression and U.S. isolationism weakened global stability and limited the ability of Western powers to respond to aggressive states.
• 🧩 The Treaty of Versailles created resentment in Germany and unstable states like Poland and Czechoslovakia, providing pretexts for Hitler’s expansion.
• 🔄 The Nazi-Soviet Pact gave strategic gains to both sides: Germany gained resources and a secure eastern front, while the Soviet Union regained territory and time to rebuild its army.
• 📝 There are multiple perspectives on blame for WWII, including Hitler, Chamberlain, Stalin, and Mussolini, highlighting the complexity of historical responsibility.

Q & A

What was the Munich Agreement of 1938, and what did it promise?

The Munich Agreement of September 1938 allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland, an area of Czechoslovakia with many German-speaking people, in exchange for a promise not to take any more territory in Europe.

How did Hitler violate the Munich Agreement?

In March 1939, Hitler occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia, including Bohemia and Moravia, establishing control beyond the Sudetenland and breaking the promise of no further territorial expansion.

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and why was it significant?

Signed on August 23, 1939, the Nazi-Soviet Pact was an agreement where the Soviet Union allowed Germany to invade Poland, in exchange for eastern Polish territory, non-aggression for ten years, and trade deals. It was significant because it removed the threat of a two-front war for Germany and gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland.

Why did Stalin lose faith in Britain and France during the 1930s?

Stalin lost faith in Britain and France due to their policy of appeasement, especially after the Munich Agreement, where they excluded the Soviet Union and allowed Hitler to take Czechoslovakia without consequence. This made Stalin doubt their willingness to defend the USSR against Germany.

What were some of the gains for Germany and the Soviet Union from the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Germany gained raw materials, a trading partner, and western Polish territory for Lebensraum. The Soviet Union gained eastern Poland, regained some lost territories from the former Russian Empire, and time to strengthen its weakened military.

How did Britain and France respond to Germany's invasion of Poland?

Britain and France declared war on Germany after Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, following their earlier promise to defend Poland. However, they took no direct military action to stop the invasion at that time.

What role did appeasement play in the lead-up to World War II?

Appeasement allowed Germany to expand its territory without facing military opposition, such as in the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the Anschluss with Austria, and the occupation of the Sudetenland, ultimately emboldening Hitler to pursue further aggressive actions.

How did the failures of the League of Nations contribute to the outbreak of World War II?

The League of Nations failed to prevent conflicts like the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises, demonstrating its inability to enforce peace. This weakness allowed aggressive powers like Germany, Italy, and Japan to pursue expansionist policies without serious consequences.

Why is the Nazi-Soviet Pact considered a 'trigger cause' of World War II?

The Nazi-Soviet Pact is considered a trigger cause because it gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland without fear of Soviet opposition, directly leading to the outbreak of World War II when Britain and France declared war.

What other major factors contributed to the outbreak of World War II besides Hitler's actions?

Other factors include the Great Depression, which made countries more aggressive; the policy of appeasement by Britain and France; the failures of the League of Nations; USA's isolationism; and the Treaty of Versailles, which created resentment in Germany and unstable new states like Poland and Czechoslovakia.

How did the occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939 affect Stalin's foreign policy?

The occupation of Czechoslovakia convinced Stalin that Britain and France could not be relied upon to contain Germany, prompting him to secure the Nazi-Soviet Pact to protect the Soviet Union and regain influence in Eastern Europe.