THE ROAD TO WAR 1939 - INTRODUCTION. The Road to WW2 1933: Hitler becomes German Chancellor. 1934: Germany Rearms. 1936 : Nazis occupy the Rhineland. 1937: Japan invades China. 1939: Germany and the Soviet Union Sign the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. 1939: Germany invades Poland. 1939: Britain and France declare war on Germany.

1. CONTENT
ROAD TO WAR
INTRODUCTION
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BACKGROUND
In the 1920’s there was a period of relative stability and calm.
Some people called this period an age of “peace and tranquillity”.
This was because of the LON and some other treaties, such as Locarno.
Despite this, few were surprised that war broke out again in 1939.
The 1930’s was an age of “increasing tension and conflict” in Europe,
starting with the invasion of Manchuria by Japan in 1931.

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WHAT HAD GONE WRONG?
The peace treaties had left many countries resentful and determined to
reverse the terms.
The most significantly affected country was Germany.
The people encouraged by the STAB IN THE BACK MYTH, turned to the
Nazi Party. The Nazi Party led by Hitler followed an aggressive foreign
policy, in order to destroy the TOV.
He made aggressive demands such as:
- Lebensraum (living space)
- Destruction of Communism

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STAB IN THE BACK MYTH
After the WW1, the myth developed that Germany had been betrayed
by a group of weak, unpatriotic politicians.
The myth gained popularity, giving rise to the thinking that if the war
had not really been lost then the peace settlement was
and should be overturned.

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LEBENSRAUM
Living space for German people, especially in Eastern Europe.

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THE LON FAILED
The Great Depression didn’t help, but brought populist, authoritarian
and extremist leaders in power (Mussolini, Franco, Hitler).
In Germany people turned to Nazis as they promised work and food.
It was clear that the LON had failed, together with the main concept of
collective security.
An alternative was needed to preserve the world’s peace.

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THE APPEASEMENT
Britain and France started the appeasement, doubled by emergency
rearming.
It was clear that the appeasement had failed when Hitler occupied
Czechoslovakia in March 1939.
The next country to be invaded by Germany would be Poland.
Britain and France promised assistance should Germany decide to
attack.

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APPEASEMENT
The policy of Britain and France that saw them making pacts and
deals with the dictators in order to satisfy their demands without
going to war.

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WORLD WAR 2
In late August 1939 the most unlikely agreement was made between 2
ideologically opposite countries – Nazi Germany and Communist
Russia.
This pact suited both countries in the short-term.
In effect it sealed the fate of Poland.
On 1st of September Hitler invaded Poland.
He was aiming for European domination.
On 3rd of September 1939, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany.

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