Appeasement and the Road to War
Paris Peace Treaties and the League of Nations, to 1933
The Paris Peace Treaties officially ended WWI. The Treaty of Versailles was disliked on all sides, particularly in Germany. The League of Nations was set up to improve international cooperation and avert further wars. Its impact was limited.
Nazi foreign policy, 1933-38
Nazi foreign policy aimed to revise the Treaty of Versailles, unite German-speaking people and expand German land. This led to the invasion of the Rhineland, the Austrian Anschluss and the crisis in Czechoslovakia. Britain and France's policy of appeasement led to the Munich Agreement.
British and French appeasement, to 1938
During the 1930s, Britain followed a policy of appeasement - giving Hitler what he wanted in order to keep the peace. There are a variety of reasons for this policy and debate around its effectiveness. Use this Higher History guide to learn about The Spanish Civil War, attitudes to the Paris Peace Settlement, and the effectiveness of appeasement.
Final steps to war
The German occupation of Czechoslovakia was the final concession of the policy of appeasement. Hitler's pacts with Italy and the Soviet Union gave him the confidence to invade Poland. This act led Britain to declare war.
Video playlist
Neville Chamberlain achieves 'peace with honour' Video
Chamberlain negotiates the Munich Agreement, giving the Sudetenland to Germany.
The outbreak of the Second World War. Video
Britain and France declare war on Germany.
Attitudes of the British aristocracy towards Hitler and Germany. Video
Attitudes of the British aristocracy to the leadership and progress in Germany.
Guernica and Franco's victory. Video
The German bombing of Guernica gave military planners the tactics of aerial bombing.
Did Hitler always want war? Video
Did Hitler want war from the start or did he want revenge for Versailles?
The German invasion of Czechoslovakia. Video
The German invasion of Czechoslovakia ended Britain鈥檚 appeasement policy.
Chamberlain and the Munich Conference. Video
Hitler's demands for the Sudetenland led to the Munich Conference in 1938.
The Anschluss. Video
The Anschluss led to discrimination against the Austrian Jews.
The League of Nations and international cooperation. Video
The League of Nations' impact on international military action.
British foreign policy and the Spanish Civil War. Video
What challenges did the Spanish Civil War pose for Britain?
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