Welcome to the Road to War (1929–1939)
In the previous chapter, we saw the world trying to find peace in the 1920s. But in 1929, the Wall Street Crash changed everything. This chapter explores how the "Great Depression" led to the rise of aggressive leaders, why the League of Nations couldn't stop them, and the specific events that finally triggered World War II in 1939. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of names and dates; we will break it down step-by-step!
1. How the Rise of Extremism Affected International Relations
After the 1929 economic crash, many countries faced mass unemployment and poverty. When people are desperate, they often turn to extremist leaders who promise quick solutions and national glory.
The Impact of the Great Depression
The economic crisis made countries more selfish. Instead of cooperating through the League of Nations, countries began to look out only for themselves. This is called economic nationalism. For example, countries put high taxes on imports, which ruined international trade and made tensions worse.
Aggressive Foreign Policies
Extremist leaders, particularly Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy, used aggressive foreign policies to distract their citizens from economic problems at home. They began to:
• Ignore international treaties (like the Treaty of Versailles).
• Build up massive armies (rearmament).
• Demand more land for their people (expansionism).
Quick Review: Extremism rose because the global economy collapsed. These leaders didn't care about "collective security"—they wanted power and territory, which made war much more likely.
2. Why the League of Nations Failed to Keep the Peace
In the 1920s, the League of Nations seemed to work. In the 1930s, it completely fell apart. Think of the League as a "policeman" that everyone decided to ignore because he had no way to arrest anyone.
Key Reasons for Failure
No Army: The League had no military force of its own. It relied on member countries to provide soldiers, but after the Great Depression, no one wanted to spend money on someone else’s war.
Missing Powers: The USA was never a member. Germany and Japan left in 1933, and Italy left later. Without the world's most powerful nations, the League lacked "teeth."
Slow Decision Making: The League met too rarely and required everyone to agree (unanimity) before taking big actions.
The "Nails in the Coffin" (Major Failures)
The Manchurian Crisis (1931): Japan invaded Manchuria (China). The League protested but did nothing to stop Japan. This proved that a strong country could get away with aggression.
The Abyssinian Crisis (1935): Italy invaded Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia). Britain and France were more worried about keeping Mussolini as an ally against Hitler, so they didn't take strong action. This effectively ended the League’s credibility.
Key Takeaway: The League failed because its members put their own national interests above international peace. By 1936, the League was basically ignored by everyone.
3. Appeasement: Why Britain and France Tried to "Buy Peace"
Appeasement is the policy of giving an aggressor what they want in the hope that they will eventually stop and be satisfied. Britain and France followed this policy toward Hitler and Mussolini throughout the mid-to-late 1930s.
Why Pursue Appeasement?
1. Fear of War: The memory of World War I was still fresh. People were terrified of aerial bombing and mass casualties.
2. Economic Weakness: Britain and France were still recovering from the Depression and couldn't afford a major war.
3. Sympathy: Some British politicians felt the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany anyway.
4. Communism: Many leaders feared Stalin’s Soviet Union more than Hitler. They hoped a strong Germany would act as a "buffer" against Communism.
The Effects of Appeasement
Appeasement was a double-edged sword.
• On one hand, it gave Britain and France time to build up their own militaries (rearmament).
• On the other hand, it convinced Hitler that Britain and France were "weak" and would never actually fight him. This encouraged him to take bigger and bigger risks.
Did you know? The most famous example of Appeasement was the Munich Agreement (1938), where Britain and France allowed Hitler to take the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) without even asking the Czechs!
4. Why War Broke Out in 1939
The final "road to war" was paved by a series of events in Poland and a change in Hitler's intentions.
The End of Appeasement
In March 1939, Hitler broke his promise from the Munich Agreement and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. This proved he could not be trusted. Britain and France finally ended Appeasement and gave the Anglo-French guarantee to Poland: they promised to defend Poland if Hitler attacked.
Danzig and the Polish Corridor
Hitler demanded that the city of Danzig be returned to Germany and that he be given control of the Polish Corridor (a strip of land that gave Poland access to the sea but split Germany in two). These demands were the immediate cause of the tension in 1939.
Hitler’s Intentions and the German High Command
Historians debate Hitler's specific plans, but the syllabus highlights two key areas:
Hitler's Intentions: Hitler wanted Lebensraum (living space) in the East and to destroy the Treaty of Versailles once and for all. He believed Britain and France would back down again, just like they did at Munich.
The High Command: There was disagreement between Hitler and some members of the German High Command (his top generals). Many generals feared that Germany wasn't ready for a full-scale war against Britain and France and worried it would lead to a repeat of the disaster of WWI.
The Final Trigger: The Attack on Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Having given their guarantee in March, Britain and France had no choice but to declare war two days later. The Second World War had begun.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume Hitler wanted a world war in 1939. Many historians argue he wanted a "small war" with Poland and was surprised when Britain and France actually kept their word and declared war on him!
Chapter Summary
• Extremism: Economic misery led to aggressive leaders like Hitler and Mussolini.
• League Failure: The League was too weak to stop invasions in Manchuria and Abyssinia.
• Appeasement: Britain and France tried to avoid war by giving in to Hitler, which ultimately backfired.
• 1939: The invasion of Poland, fueled by demands for Danzig and the Polish Corridor, was the final straw that triggered World War II after the Anglo-French guarantee.