The Czechs had 36 divisions ready
The USSR would have been neutral in war
THE POLICY OF APPEASEMENT;
Chamberlain returns from Munich and says he has saved world peace for a long time, waving a
paper in which Hitler promised he didn't have more territorial demands in Czechoslovakia.
A year later, Germany invades Czechoslovakia.
= A diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power to avoid
conflict. It was a total failure
It is applied to the foreign policy of the UK governments in the 1930s, the Nazis and Fascists in
Italy.
Failure (future perspective):
Why to appease Hitler?
The League abandoned Czechoslovakia
Britain is not prepared for war or Luftwaffe
Munich was followed by more Nazi demands
attacks
The Czechs had 36 divisions ready to fight snd
The British dominions aren't united behind a
help the British and French
war
The USSR would have been neutral in war
The British public saw the war as anti self-
determination
Why was it wrong?
It sacrificed Czechoslovakia
It boosted Hitler's send-confidence
It gave Hitler time to strengthen the army, navy
and air force
Why was it realistic?
The Treaty was too harsh
Germany is not the only threat to world peace
Public opinion was in favor of world peace
A strong Germany could stop a Communist
expansion

Why was it realistic?
The Treaty was too harsh
Germany is not the only threat to world peace
Public opinion was in favor of world peace
A strong Germany could stop a Communist
expansion
Why was it realistic?
Germany had the right to defend herself, Hitler's foreign policy could be backed by self-
determination.
If they didn't appease Hitler, Britain and France would face a war against Germany, Italy and
Japan. It was too much of a risk: they needed time to rearm and strengthen the air forces.
Democracies have to follow public opinion
Maintaining a strong Germany could stop the Soviet war machine
3. THE INVASION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA (1939)
Czechoslovakia was rich in agricultural products, industry and resources.
The German actions could not be explained by self-determination
On the 15 of March, Germany invades Czechoslovakia, no reaction from the Western powers.
Co sequences:
Czechoslovakia is partitioned
The policy of appeasement is abandoned
German Nazism and Italian Fascism found each other during the 1930s
1934, July: Italy doesn't let Germany attach Austria
1935, April: Italy joins the Stress Front against German rearmament
1935, October: friendly relationship depart the Abyssinian crisis
1936, July: Italy assist Germany in the Spanish Civil War
1936, November: Berlin-Rome Axis
1937, September: Mussolini visits Hitler in Berlin
1937, November: Italy joins the Anti-Comintern Pact

1938, March: Mussolini agrees to the Anschluss
1938, September: Mussolini persuades Hitler to accept the Munich Agreement
1939, May: Pact of Steel is signed: formal alliance
1939, September: Italy remains neutral in WWIl
4, POLAND (1939)
Poland was Hitler's next target;
- existed due to the treaties 

Included former German territories (Poland Corridor)
East Prussia was German but was separated
• The Danzig was under International control, but had a lot of German population
France and Britain: Russia would assist Poland in case of a German invasion
Stalin: Poland does not deserve the risk of a war with Hitler.
The Navi-Soviet Pact: Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact:
In August of 1939, the USSR and the Nazis sign a non-aggression pact.
This was unexpected, Hitler hates the Communists,
Why did Germany sign?
If they invaded Poland, Hitler wouldn't be attacked by the USSR if he fought against Britain and
France.
Why did the USSR sign?
It gave Stalin time to prepare for war with Germany, and he could now focus on fighting against
Japan.
Secret Clause of the pact:
If the Nazis attacked Poland, the USSR would attack Poland too, and they would divide the
country along a demarcation line.
In September of 1939, Germany begins the invasion of Poland.
Consequences:
Britain and France declare war on Germany, his actions could not be classified as self-
determination.