A Nation Forged in Blood Part Two? Canada and World War Two
Causes A continuation of WWI Continuity from WWI: Imperialism (German aspirations for European dominance), Nationalism (Independence post WWI increased nationalistic sentiment, also connected to what occurred inside Germany and German held territory) Alliances- Post WW1- League of Nations, Italy-Germany Pact of Steel (later Japan) Militarism- Germany increased military budget not comparable to other nations
Change in Cause from WW1: Causes German losses due to the Treaty (Nazi Party platform was centered on the oppressive terms of the Treaty) Economic downturn and Depression- leads to embracing extremist political parties Fewer trade connections during the 1930 s removed any ties that may have prevented war between certain countries such as between Germany and USA Political instability within Germany post WW1 The conditions that produced Fascism
The Path to War January 30 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany (Helped to Power) Economic and military rebuilding program (violation of many of the articles of the Treaty) in combination with a racial discrimination program against the Jews and other undesirables within Germany. Hitler s actions are met on the world stage and by the League of Nations with a policy of appeasement Germany also embarks on an imperialistic program of taking territory in Europe for the creation of a Greater Germany- Lebensraum for the future German people
Remember...everything happening in Europe is occurring while we have The Depression
Territorial Acquisitions Japan, Germany, Italy and Russia throughout the 1920 s and 1930 s expanded their empires without much dispute by the world powers or the League of Nations WHY NOT? 1936 Hitler marches German troops into the Rhineland- the demilitarized zone between France and Germany This area was occupied by the French in the 1920 s in response to the Germans inability to pay their war debt
Appeasement The League of Nations (British and French influence) met all of these actions with a policy of appeasement- give what they want to achieve peace Misguided- but think of the context- 1930 s 1938 Germany annexes Austria and incorporates it into the German Empire Austrians are given a referendum- vote of support and they overwhelmingly agree
The Munich Conference 1938 Hitler declares that the Sudetenland, an area of German speaking people that was part of the newly created Czechoslovakia, should be included in the new Germany Britain and France ask for a conference with Hitler The result is, from PM of Britain Neville Chamberlain- Peace in our Time - Hitler will gain the Sudetenland with a promise that he will ask for no more land Many world powers were supportive of this appeasement policy, included Mackenzie King
Aftermath of Munich September 1938 Germany annexes the Sudetenland, March 1939 Germany takes the rest of Czechoslovakia- so much for appeasement August 1939 in a shocking event the USSR, fearing the expansion of Fascist Germany, makes a deal with Germany- the Non-Aggression Pact- both sides agree to not fight one another in exchange for the splitting up of Poland September 1 1939 Hitler invades Poland, the USSR does the same Great Britain and France declare war on Germany The British declaration of war created some serious difficulty for Canada
Appeasement For historians the causes of the war are relatively easy to understand What is more interesting is the use of the appeasement policy. Why would it be used if the trend had been for the more aggressive nations to just continue to abuse the rules? Is it as simple as a lack of care during the depression? If so, why were Canadians so happy to go to war in 1914 when there was a recession on? Was appeasement as simple as it sounded or were there other forces at play that explain why the allies utilized appeasement? Why would Britain in particular pursue a policy of appeasement?