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The Failure of Appeasement in World War II

Explore how the policy of appeasement failed during World War II, leading to escalating aggression by Hitler's Germany and the eventual outbreak of a major war. Learn about key events such as the re-militarization of the Rhineland, annexation of Austria, and the Munich Agreement. Understand the implications of the Nazi-Soviet Pact and its impact on the division of Eastern Europe. Reflect on the consequences of appeasement and its role in shaping the course of history.

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The Failure of Appeasement in World War II

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  1. World War II The Failure of “Appeasement”

  2. *** What is “appeasement”? • When a country becomes aggressive, other countries give the aggressor what it wants just to prevent another war

  3. The Appeasement Crises1936-1939 • As Hitler became more aggressive in his attempt to make Germany a power international force, Britain and France practiced appeasement

  4. *** Germany re-militarizes the Rhineland • March 1936 – Hitler’s troops enter the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles • Britain and France did nothing to stop this

  5. *** Germany annexes Austria • German troops entered Austria, making it part of Germany, once again violating the Treaty of Versailles • Once again, the European democracies did nothing to stop this

  6. *** Appeasement in Czechoslovakia • Over 3 million Germans lived within the new borders of Czechoslovakia in the western area called Sudetenland

  7. *** Appeasement in Czechoslovakia • Hitler threatened to invade this area in 1938 • Britain and France panicked, feeling that any resistance by the Czechs would lead to war

  8. Appeasement in Czechoslovakia *** • A conference was called at Munich, Germany • The wishes of the Czechs were completely ignored as Hitler received Sudetenland in exchange for a guarantee to not go to war • Neville Chamberlain announces to Britain that he had achieved “peace in our time” • Hitler told his entourage after the event: “If ever that silly old man comes interfering here again with his umbrella, I'll kick him downstairs and jump on his stomach in front of the photographers.”

  9. Hitler said of Daladier and Chamberlain: Our enemies are little worms

  10. *** Appeasement in Czechoslovakia • Hitler betrayed the agreement when he invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia on March 15, 1939 • It was obvious that appeasement had failed and a major war was imminent

  11. “Peace in our time” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDvDClAL-2s&feature=related -John Cleese – Monty Python Parody of famous speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFb_Ik_4jz0 (longer version) Sounds better than: “Europe laid waste in our time”

  12. The NAZI-Soviet Pact • The Soviet Union played no part in the appeasement process • Britain and France did not want to cooperate with Stalin’s communist regime

  13. *** The NAZI-Soviet Pact • Hitler had always made it clear that he would attack communism in the USSR • The world was shocked when he signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin

  14. Officially: the Treaty of Non-aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics • Also known as the Ribbentrop–Molotov Pact or Nazi–Soviet Pact, was signed on August 23, 1939***

  15. The NAZI-Soviet Pact • Both sides agreed to not attack each other and divide Poland between them • Both sides knew the other was lying, but needed this time to prepare for war

  16. The treaty included a secret protocol that divided territories of Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland into Nazi and Soviet spheres • Germany invaded Poland on Sept 1st. • Stalin invaded on the 17th of September • USSR annexed Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bessarabia • Pact remained in force until June 22, 1941 when Hitler invaded USSR .

  17. Von Ribbentrop–Canadian Connection • Worked For Molson’s Bank in Quebec; then for an engineering firm working on Construction of a Quebec Bridge. • Worked for National Transcontinental Railway – Moncton to Winnipeg line. • Set up a business in Ottawa importing German Wine and Champagne • Was on famous Ottawa Minto Ice Skating team • Hated by most regular Nazi’s because they deemed him “Superficial” • “The Nazi Most Other Nazi’s hated.” • "Von Ribbentrop bought his name, he married his money, and he swindled his way into office” – Joseph Goebbels in his diary.

  18. On 16 October 1946 Ribbentrop became the first convicted political appointee to be hanged. (Göring had committed suicide before his scheduled execution.) He was escorted up the 13 steps of the gallows and asked if he had any final words. He said: "God protect Germany. God have mercy on my soul. My final wish is that Germany should recover her unity and that, for the sake of peace, there should be understanding between East and West. I wish peace to the world."[264] Nuremberg Prison Commandant Burton C. Andrus later recalled that, immediately before the hood was placed over his head, Ribbentrop turned to the prison's Lutheran chaplain and whispered, "I'll see you again."[265] Members of the US Army cremated Ribbentrop’s remains and scattered his ashes in an unmarked location

  19. *** Can we look at appeasement in a non “Churchillian” manner? • What would a historian ask? Why appeasement? • WW1 fresh in memory? • Needed to buy time to re-arm? • No desire to go to war • Depression recently • As historians, never simplify something as either “good” or “Bad” – examine context.

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