11A German expansion (1933-1940) by Camilo Falla

Germany Invades Poland (09/01/1939)

2024-11-22 14:27:28 UTC

Germany decided to invade Poland due to their aggressive territorial ideals, this policies of territorial expansion were shown when Hitler decided to revoke the Angio-German Naval pact and the Non-agressive one with Poland. Another cause of Germany's invasion to Poland is the weak international responses like Lithuania's quick submission. During the invasion Hitler used threats and force to try to end this invasion faster, in addition, the tensions with the polish supporters (France and Britain) started to grow even more. As a concecuence we have WW2, since the tensions and the inevitable war ahead the invasion of Poland was the trigger to this catastrofic event.

Anglo-German Naval Treaty (1935)

2024-11-22 14:30:00 UTC

The Anglo-German Naval Treaty of 1935 was caused by Britain's desire to avoid a naval race and maintain stability in Europe, while Germany hoped to fix the naval restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The agreement allowed Germany to rebuild its naval power to 35% of the size of the British Royal Navy, which prompted criticism driven by the fact that Germany was essentially invited to expand its military without facing direct opposition. The consequences of this included a demonstration of British appeasement policy, signaling a willingness to accommodate German demands. Furthermore, the treaty strengthened Nazi Germany's military position and enhanced Hitler's confidence in pursuing further aggression.

Germany occupies the rest of Czechoslovakia (1938)

2024-11-22 14:31:54 UTC

Hitler wish to occupy Czechoslovakia was primarily caused by the foreign exchange crisis, as Germany had run down its foreign exchange reserves by early 1939. Germany wanted to expand its territory to include the Sudetenland and gain control of the military defenses in the area. Once it had control over these defenses, invading the rest of Czechoslovakia would be easier.

Hossbach Memorandum (1937)

2024-11-22 15:24:28 UTC

On November 5th, Hitler called a special meeting with his top generals and war ministers. It was discussed Hitler's overview of Germany's International situation. This led for his military assistant, Colonel Hossbach to compile the main points discussed in the meeting. The Memorandum included the destruction of Czechoslovakia, in which they intended to improve their political-military position and Germany's declaration to "preserve the racial community and to enlarge it".

After WWII, a copy of the Memorandum was used at the Nuremberg Trials, in which was used as evidence of Hitler's planning for war.

Germany occupies Czechoslovakia (15 march 1939)

ayalavillalbagustavo — 2024-11-22 15:27:40 UTC

Germany wanted to expand its territory to include the Sudetenland and gain control of the military defenses in the area. Once it had control over these defenses, invading the rest of Czechoslovakia would be easier. Hitler wish to occupy Czechoslovakia was primarily caused by the foreign exchange crisis, as Germany had run down its foreign exchange reserves by early 1939.

Stresa Conference (March 1935)

2024-11-22 15:32:36 UTC

The Stresa conference occour because of Gemany violations of the Treaty of Versailles. France and Italy were concerned about Germany raising power and its possibility of a further territorial expansion. Practice:The conference took place in April 1935, where Italy, France, and the United Kingdom gathered to discuss how to prevent Germany from further violating the Versailles Treaty.They agreed to oppose German rearmament and reaffirm the territorial integrity of Austria. But this conference lacked enforcement meassures. The consequences: temporarily united the signatories against Nazi Germany, but it ultimately failed to prevent further German expansion.It led to tensions between Italy and Britain over Ethiopia, and by 1939, Italy aligned more closely with Germany. Finally it exposed the failure of diplomatic efforts against NAZI aggresion.

Nazi-Soviet Pact ,August 1939

2024-11-22 15:41:43 UTC

This pact was created because both Hitler and the Western democracies sought to get closer to the Soviet Union in such a way that the Soviet Union would not have the opportunity to make alliances with Great Britain, France, among others. And this would also ensure that the Soviet Union would have neutrality towards Poland in order to avoid future conflicts.  Previously, there had already been an alliance in 1934 by the Soviet Union and they had joined the League of Nations due to the growth of Hitler's power. Western democracies also distrusted Hitler and worked to stop his actions. Given this, only the French had achieved a defensive pact with the Soviet Union but that failure after the Munich agreement. But this spread, making both sides of the coin distrust each other, although Stalin was very open to new treaties, this resulted in the Nazi Soviet Pact being one of the most cynical and controversial pacts of all. The benefits of this pact were moderation of aggression, desist from acts of violence and the Soviet Union and Germany remaining neutral. And this for Hitler was having a clear path in Poland and avoiding wars on both sides. Stalin also during this time carried out purges to exterminate people he felt were threatening: political opponents, working peasants, and the military.

Lithuania gives up the port of Memel to Germany (20/03/1939)

ayalavillalbagustavo — 2024-11-22 15:53:30 UTC

Nazi Germany’s foreign minister (Joachim vom Ribbentrop) presented an oral ultimatum to the foreign minister of Lithuania (Juzoas Urbšys). Germany demanded that Lithuania give up the Kaipėda Region which had been detached from Germany after WWI, or the Wehrmacht would invade Lithuania and de facto Lithuanian capital Kaunas would be bombed. Eventualy Lithuania ceded the port city of Memel (Klaipėda) to Germany in March 1939 under pressure from Nazi Germany.

What was the international reaction to Hitler's demands regarding Poland?

2024-12-03 14:39:04 UTC

Hitler's demands regarding Poland had significant concern and led to strategic responses, especially from Britain and France. Following Hitler's aggressive actions in Memel and demands for Danzig, Britain offered a guarantee to Poland on March 31, 1939, promising military support in the event of an unprovoked attack. France provided similar assurances, recognizing the need to counter Hitler's aggression.

Despite Poland being a right-wing dictatorship with its own expansionist history, these guarantees were seen as necessary warnings to Hitler. In response, both nations increased their military preparations; Britain doubled its territorial army and introduced conscription (mandatory enlistment for state service, typically into the armed forces), enhancing its military readiness.

Negotiations with the Soviet Union became crucial, but they were complicated by mutual distrust and differing expectations. Chamberlain (UK Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940), wary of Stalin, was hesitant to form an alliance. The discussions ultimately faltered, leading to a failure to establish a solid coalition. These dynamics reflected the escalating tensions in Europe as nations sought to deter further aggression from Nazi Germany.

What were the reactions of Britain and France to Hitler's actions, 1939-1940?

2024-12-03 14:40:22 UTC

Britain and France planned to defend themselves and cut resources as a reaction to the Soviet Union’s actions and Hitlers influence. During the "phoney war", Britain prepared for the inevitable air attack made by the Nazis. As defense, the Allies decided to lay mines in Norwegian territorial waters in order to block Swedish iron ore getting to Germany. However, the Nazis showed to be more powerful and strategic and caused the Allies forces to drive out. On the other hand, as a result of the failure of the Norway campaign, Churchill took over as head of a coalition government in Britain.

Also, with the defeat of France in 1940 and the evacuation of the British from Dunkirk, Britain stood alone against the German army. At this, Hitler put forward another "peace offensive ", as Churchill was determined to continue fighting. This led to more battles such as the Battle of Britain and the Blitz and other cities over the next few months.

At this point, Britain attempted to find allies, but the USA continued with its isolationist stance. However, even when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany at the end of 1940, most Americans were not in favour of getting involved in the war.

International Response to Anschluss (May, 1938)

2024-12-03 15:33:33 UTC

This event refers to Austria's annexation to Germany in 1938 which had a limited international response. After the Abyssinian crisis, the League was dishonoured so Anschluss was not even a theme of discussion for them. Britain paid little to no attention over Germany's violation of Austrian independence, they felt that it was an inevitable event. At the time, France was politically unstable, they were facing an internal political crisis so they didn't have enough time to cope with the issue. Italy had guaranteed Austria's independence, but by 1938 Mussolini was closer to Hitler and his ideologies.

The lack of international response made Hitler reinforce his belief that the Western countries would not oppose to his territorial expansions. The Anchsluss served as a precursor to further acts of aggression.

International Reaction to Remilitarization of the Rhineland 1936

2024-12-03 15:35:07 UTC

In 1936, Hitler marched German troops into Rhineland, place that shared a border with France, risking a possible war due to his rebellion against the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.

However, after sending the 30,000 soldiers, Hitler didn't receive any confrontation from neither Britain or France.

At this time, France was getting closer to elections and the army has little support and preparation, which made them not want to risk a war against Germany. This lead to contacting Britain to take action, nevertheless, Britain said it had various military commitments, leading to a position unable to go to war. Moreover, Britain didn't see this movement as a threat and highly believed in favour of peace and negotiations with Germany.

On the other hand, Hitler offered negotiations, provoking 'a diplomatic smokescreen' which was based on an initiative to stop his motion by the use of negotiations while he continued his invasion in a subtle manner.

These all resulted in a failure to stop Hitler from continuing his invasion and, later on, leading towards WWII.

(1933-1935)What was the international reaction to German rearmament?

2024-12-03 15:37:59 UTC

In the beginning, countries were somewhat patient in their handling of Germany. Their desire to revise the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which looking at it from their point of view, could be seen as rather harsh. Britain was one of the most prominent supports of Germany, hoping it would change its mind and return to the League of Nations. But due to Germany's rearmament ocurring at such a fast pace, including the introduction of conscription, and the expansion of its air force. This alerted European powers of their danger.

Despite initial efforts to contain German ambitions through diplomacy and appeasement, such as the Stresa Front, these attempts ultimately proved ineffective. Factors like the Franco-Soviet Pact and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement further eroded the unity of the European powers and emboldened Hitler's aggressive foreign policy. To conclude, it was a worrying situations for Britain and France, who did everything they could, diplomatically speaking, to prevent the remarmament of Germany.