Causes of War In Europe

Overarching Question

Why did the Western Powers adopt the policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s?

Lesson Objectives

Understand • the meaning of appeasement;• reasons for policy of appeasement to be

adopted;• how did appeasement result in WWII

Appeasement

Appease: (i) to come to terms with;(ii) to give in;(iii) to adapt to the demands of

Policy of appeasement in WWII?Who was appeasing who?

Why was the policy of appeasement adopted?

Going back to History

Imagine you were a British or French

How would the following events made you support the policy of appeasement?

Impact of WW1Burton-upon-Trent, England, following a German Zeppelin Raid, 1916

Impact of WWIDead French soldiers in the Argonne Forest, France

Treaty of VersalliesWhat were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?• o Military Terms• § ________(Compulsory military service) banned• § Size of Army limited to_______________ men• § Size of Navy limited to _______________ men• § ____________________, _______________ and

____________ not allowed• § Rhineland was _______________________• • o Territorial Terms• § Anschluss (union) with_______________ not allowed.

Hitler’s rearmamentLuftwaffe Planes

Hitler’s rearmament

German parade, 1935

Hitler’s rearmament

Hitler’s expansionary policyGerman troops crossing the Rhine River westwards into the demilitarised Rhineland

Hitler’s expansionary policy

Anschluss with Austria, 1938

The Great DepressionUnemployed men in London during the Great Depression

Class Assignment

Was the policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany during the 1930s a cause of outbreak for WWII?

Point

• The British adopted a policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany during the 1930s.

Elaboration

• One of the reasons for appeasement towards Nazi Germany during the 1930s because their economy had already been damaged by both World War I and the Great Depression.

Explanation

• If they were to enter another war straight away, this would mean that their economy would not have had a chance to recover before they start fighting again. Hence, their economy would be even further damaged. Hence, they adopted a policy of appeasement to avoid having to fight the war immediately, and give their economy a chance to recover.