Why didn’t world peace last?
Testing the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations Treaty of Versailles
Conference January -June 1919 Settlement drafted by delegates of victorious nations in WWI: Britain, United States, France, and Italy “We were preparing not Peace only, but Eternal Peace. There was about us the halo of some divine mission….For we were bent on doing great , permanent and noble things.” Participant of conference at Versailles, World History: Continuity & Change, p. 612 League of Nations
Primary concern of delegates at Versailles was “Collective Security” League of Nation created based on Wilson’s Fourteen Points’ “general association of nations” Main aims: To promote international cooperation. To maintain peace by settling disputes and by reducing armaments. Goals was to include all independent nations.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.616 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:League_of_Nations_Anachronous_Map.PNG#file League of Nations continued
Three main agencies based in Geneva, Switzerland: Assembly Council Secretariat Members agreed to submit disputes to an independent body, the Permanent Court of International Justice (World Court) . War would be a last resort.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.616 Boundary Changes Treaty of Versailles compelled Germany to demilitarize the Rhineland by removing all troops and set up the indefinite occupation of territory by Allied troops. Saar Valley now administered by the League of Nations and all coal go to France. After 15 years people in region vote if they would be part of France or Germany. The port of Danzig made a free city and carved territory from Germany to give Poland access to the Baltic Sea. Realignment of boundaries in Europe and the Middle East. World History: Continuity & Change, p.616 Germany after W.W. I. Changes in Europe
Europe before W.W. I Europe after W.W. I Reparations and War Guilt
Germany forced to agree to agree to costly and humiliating settlement. Germany to pay $32 billion to Allied countries. “War Guilt Clause” of the Treaty of Versailles made Germany soley responsible for “all the loss and damage” sustained by the Allies.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.617 Mandate System Germany lost all overseas territories and a mandate system set up where Allied Countries pledged to prepare the subjects for self-government (South-West Africa under South Africa; Ruanda-Urundi under Belgium; Tanganyika, Nigeria & Gold Coast under Great Britain; Togo and Cameroons under France) Ottoman Empire lost control of Arab lands in the Middle East ( Palestine, Iraq & Transjordan mandate of Great Britain; Lebanon & Syria mandate of France).
World History: Continuity & Change, p.617-18 Africa Mandates
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ger_claims_Prof_Delbruck_1917.jpg Middle East Mandates
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3860950 How would the Central Powers feel after being given the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? Failure of Collective Security
“During the 1930’s three powers--Japan, Italy and Germany--grew increasingly aggressive.” “Each sought to enhance its influence and to expand its territory through the use of military force.” “Anxious to avoid war, the Western democracies yielded time and again to the aggressors.” World History: Continuity & Change, p.684 Western Appeasement
Western leaders follow a policy of “appeasement,” or giving in to an aggression to preserve the peace, in response to many expansion actions of Japan, Italy and Germany.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.687 Reasons for Appeasement
The worldwide depression diverted attention. Many countries still trying to recover from the costs of WWI. Lack of desire to work with the Soviet Union against Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Disarmament policy after WWI left armies behind in the development of modern weapons. Many in the general population didn’t want to get involved in another war.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.687-8 Japan
Japan had a growing population and limited resources. In 1931 Imperialist Japanese army seizes the Chinese province of Manchuria, where it already controlled the railways. China appeals to the League of Nations for help. Japan withdraws from the League of Nations. In 1937 Japan launches war against China and gains control of nearly 1/4 of Chinese territory by 1939.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.684 Japanese Expansion
http://www.britannica.com/eb/art-2054 Italy and the Ethiopia Crisis Italian leader Benito Mussolini strengthens’ position in Libya in the 1920’s. Italy targets Ethiopia, the only independent African kingdom, to gain control of its land, neighboring Eritrea and Somalia, and take over the Suez Canal. On October 3, 1935, Italian forces invade Ethiopia. Ethiopia turns to the League of Nations, but leading nations France and Britain refuse to force to help. World History: Continuity & Change, p.684-5 Italy in East Africa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Italianeastafricamap.jpeg Hitler & Germany Hitler outlines expansion aims in his book, Mein Kampf (1925). Germany would become a world power. Hitler believes that Germans are biologically superior race & Jews are enemy of all races. Germany’s population was growing rapidly and needed “living space.” Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Hitler “corrects” the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles and moved troops into the Rhineland in 1936. World History: Continuity & Change, p.686-7 Hitler leads Germany towards war
Hitler “corrects” the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles and moved troops into the Rhineland in 1936.
Hitler begins four year plan or rearmament and economic development in the middle of 1936 to prepare for expansion.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.686-7 Axis Powers Formed
Mussolini agreed to cooperated with Germany’s aims in fall of 1936.
In November 1936 Japan and Germany agree on the Anti-Comintern Pact, which outlines countries opposition to communism. Italy joins a year later.
Germany, Italy & Japan form the Axis Powers.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.686-7 Germany moves in Austria and Czecholoslovakia
On March 11, 1938, the head of the Austrian Nazi party takes over the government and the next day declares the “Anschluss” or union with Germany. Hitler complained about Czech “oppression” of 3 million Germans living in the Sudetenland. French and British leaders agree to the annexation of the Sudetenland at the Munich Conference (September 1938) when Hitler promises it will be Germany’s last territorial claim. In March of 1939 Hitler takes over most of the remaining area of Czechoslovakia.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.688 Germany moves into the Polish Corridor
Hitler works with the Soviet Union to divide Poland (German-Soviet nonaggression pact, August 1939). German army invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.689 World War II Begins
Britain and France demand the immediate withdrawal from Poland. Hitler ignores their ultimatum. Britain and France declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
World History: Continuity & Change, p.689