8.7 - Europe during the Interwar Period

Rearmament and Expansion of Fascist States

• Germany’s Reversal of the Treaty of Versailles: After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles imposed severe restrictions on Germany, including the requirement to demilitarize and reduce its territory. However, under Adolf Hitler's leadership, Germany rearmed and began expanding its territory, actions that directly violated the treaty. This aggressive expansion increased tensions across Europe.

Appeasement Policy

• Britain and France's Response: The policy of appeasement, primarily adopted by Britain and France, allowed Hitler to rearm Germany and expand without facing immediate consequences.

• Reluctance to Engage in War: The devastating human and economic costs of World War I made these nations reluctant to engage in another war. As a result, they allowed Hitler to pursue his aggressive policies unchecked, hoping to avoid another large-scale conflict.

Distrust Between the Soviet Union and Western Powers

• Growing Antagonism: Another factor that enabled Germany to rearm and expand was the deepening distrust between the Soviet Union and Western European states, along with the United States. The Soviet Union, an authoritarian communist state, was ideologically opposed to the capitalist democracies of the West.

• Lack of a United Front: This mutual antagonism prevented these powers from forming a united front against the rising fascist states in Europe.

• Fascist Expansion Beyond Germany: While Germany was the primary focus, fascist Italy under Mussolini was also expanding during this period, taking advantage of the lack of coordinated opposition from the Western powers.

Specific Actions Leading to World War II

• Italy’s Invasion of Ethiopia (1935): Italy, under Mussolini, invaded Ethiopia, one of the two African states that had never been colonized by Europeans. This conquest concerned Britain, as it threatened their control of the Suez Canal in Egypt. However, the only consequence Mussolini faced was a set of weak economic sanctions imposed by the League of Nations.

• Germany’s Re-militarization of the Rhineland (1936): Hitler began by re-militarizing the Rhineland, a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles. This act was a test to see if Britain and France would enforce the treaty. When they did not, due to their policy of appeasement, Hitler continued his aggressive expansion.

• Anschluss with Austria (1938): Hitler annexed Austria in a move known as the Anschluss, justifying it by the presence of a large German-speaking population in Austria. A rigged vote showed 99% of Austrians in favor of the annexation, though the legitimacy of this vote was highly questionable.

• Expansion into Czechoslovakia: After Austria, Hitler targeted the Sudetenland and other parts of Czechoslovakia. Britain and France continued their policy of appeasement, culminating in the Munich Agreement, where they conceded to Hitler's demands in exchange for his promise not to seek further territory. Hitler, however, had no intention of honoring this agreement.

• The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939): Hitler secured a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, agreeing that neither would attack the other for the next decade. Additionally, they agreed to divide Poland between them, giving Hitler the confidence to invade Poland without fear of Soviet opposition.

• Invasion of Poland (1939): Hitler’s invasion of Poland was the final straw for Britain and France. Despite his commitments in the Munich Agreement, Hitler continued his territorial expansion, leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This marked the official start of World War II.