A) Give one reason why the Germans hated the treaty of Versailles
One reason why the Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles was that teir economy was destroyed by the terms. The League of Nations demanded reparations of ï¿½6,600 million, this meant Germany’s economy collapsed as they printed more money, thus leading to hyperinflation.
Prices start at $12
Prices start at $11
Prices start at $12
B) Briefly describe the key features of the Nazi-Soviet Pact
One key feature of the Nazi-Soviet Pact was the division of Poland. The Soviet Union saw the Pact as a chance to gain territory. It also meant that they were less likely to be weakened by the coming war. Thus they signed the Pact in the hope that their alliance with Germany would bring them a certain amount of prosperity.
Another key feature was that the Soviet Union needed time to prepare their army for the oncoming war with Germany. The pact meant that Germany would form an alliance with the Soviet Union; this ensured that there would be no war between the two countries and the USSR’s economy would not be affected. In addition, the Soviet Union could count on the fact that they would, initially, not have to defend their own border.
A final key feature of the Nazi-Soviet Pact was that Germany wouldn’t have to face a war on ‘two fronts’. This was an encouraging prospect as Germany’s army was not large enough to take on Britain and France at this point in time. Consequently, Hitler signed a pact with the USSR to ensure the security of their country.
C) Explain why relations between Britain and Germany changed in 1939
Throughout the course of 1939 relations between Germany and Britain steadily deteriorated, as Germany began to break more and more terms of the treaty. The main reason why relation deteriorated, however, was due to the invasion of Poland. This was just briefly after the Munich agreement which amplified the effects. The least important reason for the change in relations was the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
The invasion of Poland was the flashpoint of the war, after Britain had vowed to protect Poland Germany invaded. This left Britain with no choice but to go to war. Poland was the final point at which the league, mainly Britain and France must abandon appeasement and commence rearmament. Before this, it was Britain’s hope that Stalin would prevent an invasion of Poland, however after the Nazi-Soviet Pact was signed this hope was destroyed, hence the breakdown of relations.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was an important reason why relations between Britain and Germany broke down in 1939. The Pact meant that not only had Germany broken yet another term of the treaty, but Britain could no longer rely on the USSR for military support in the war. Thus the Pact caused a breakdown in relations between Britain and Germany in 1939. This took place just after the Munich Agreement which all together destroyed the relations between Britain and Germany. It showed that Germany could no longer be trusted.
The Munich agreement was the least important reason why relations changed between Britain and Germany in 1939. Chamberlain was desperate to avoid a war with Germany, thus he agreed to give Germany the Sudetenland in return for the promise that Hitler would make no further demands for territory. Chamberlain returned from the meeting with false hope claiming ‘peace in our time’. However when Germany signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact and invaded Poland Britain felt betrayed. Hence the breakdown in relations between Britain and Germany in 1939.
In conclusion, the most important reason for the breakdown in relations between Britain and Germany was the invasion of Poland. It left Britain with no choice but to go to war, they had promised Poland military protection in the event of an invasion. They had to fulfil this promise when Hitler invaded.
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