8.7 Europe During the Interwar Period
3 min read•june 18, 2024
Bretnea Turner
Isabela Padilha
Bretnea Turner
Isabela Padilha
The interwar period in Europe was affected by , distrust between democratic and other nation, and the expension of communist and fascist states.
Remember that in previous guides we mentioned the failure of the ? It was during this period that the lack of guidance from the organization led to chaos and imbalances throughout the European region. On top of that, Americans believed that they should avoid intervening in European affairs. Due to the disastrous outcomes of WWI, the U.S decided to focus on domestic affairs instead. However, this policy led to a lack of consolidated leadership in League of Nations, and the U.S felt compelled to intervene only when Nazism began to pose a deep threat to the rest of the world. 🌎
States’ Expansion Allowed by European Powers
It is important to notice, as you read the table below, how nations were breaking previous agreements made post-WWI. The lack of cooperation was clear and nationalism inteded to garner more economic and territorial power to non-democratic nation-states.
| (between France and Germany) | Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, or the area around the Rhine River between Germany and France to create a buffer zone. There was no conflict between the two, but tensions t to rise in France knowing there was a German force stationed at their border. Hitler made this choice to make a potential invasion much faster, as they would have to cover less ground if they were already at the border; however, it was marketed as defense for Germany. |
| Italy first tried to take Ethiopia after the in the 1890’s, but failed. A border skirmish in 1935 opened the opportunity for Mussolini to try again, and he was successful. The British highly protested the invasion, seeing that they claimed land in East Africa. Other than their opposition, the League of Nations was rendered ineffective and unable to stop Italy. | |
| Austria had recently adopted fascist policies to model Italy and had dissolved their parliament. This made their annexation by Germany both easy and welcomed by many in Austria. While the Nazis still overtook the Austrian fascist government and killed their Chancellor, the unification of Austria and Germany was relatively easy for Germany. This was a direct violation of the . | |
| and | At a meeting in Munich among France, Great Britain, and Germany, the region of the Sudetenland was given to Hitler and Germany to keep peace among the nations. Hitler had made the argument that the region of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia was culturally German and the land could be used for farming, which was much needed in Germany. British Prime Minister appeased the wishes of Hitler, despite the fact that he had already broken the terms of the Treaty of Versailles multiple times. |
| The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia was a non-aggression pact. It also promised certain territories - Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, part of Poland, and Finland - to the Soviets and much of Poland was to go to Nazi Germany as well. Effectively, this redrew the borders in Eastern Europe and, like the other territorial movements, violated the Treaty of Versailles. |
Key Terms to Review (11)
American Isolationism: American Isolationism refers to the foreign policy approach taken by the United States in the years following World War I, characterized by a reluctance to engage in international conflicts and alliances. This stance emerged from a desire to avoid the mistakes of past entanglements, particularly those that led to the devastation of WWI, and was marked by a focus on domestic issues rather than global affairs.
Anschluss of Austria by Germany: The Anschluss of Austria by Germany refers to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in March 1938. This event was marked by a combination of political pressure, economic instability, and a strong nationalist sentiment among Austrians who desired unification with Germany. The Anschluss signified a critical step in Adolf Hitler's expansionist agenda, reflecting broader themes of nationalism and the aggressive policies that characterized Europe during the interwar period.
Appeasement of Hitler: The appeasement of Hitler refers to the diplomatic strategy adopted by European powers, particularly Britain and France, during the 1930s, aimed at preventing conflict by conceding to some of Hitler's territorial demands. This policy was rooted in the desire to avoid another devastating war following World War I and reflected a belief that satisfying Germany's grievances would ensure peace in Europe. Ultimately, however, this approach failed to curb Hitler’s expansionist ambitions and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
German Annexation of the Sudetenland: The German Annexation of the Sudetenland refers to the incorporation of the predominantly ethnic German region of Czechoslovakia into Nazi Germany in 1938. This event was a critical step in Adolf Hitler's expansionist policies and set the stage for further aggression in Europe, contributing significantly to the tensions leading up to World War II.
Germany Remilitarized the Rhineland: The remilitarization of the Rhineland occurred in March 1936 when Nazi Germany violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the demilitarized zone along the Rhine River. This action marked a significant turning point in European relations, showcasing Germany's defiance against post-World War I treaties and escalating tensions in Europe during the interwar period.
Italy Invades Ethiopia: Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 was a military campaign launched by the Italian Fascist regime under Benito Mussolini, aimed at expanding Italian colonial territories in Africa. This invasion is significant as it marked one of the first acts of aggression leading up to World War II, illustrating the rise of militaristic nationalism and imperial ambitions during a time of instability in Europe.
League of Nations: The League of Nations was an international organization established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries, aiming to prevent future conflicts through collective security and diplomacy. Although it marked a significant step towards international collaboration, its inability to enforce decisions and prevent aggression highlighted the challenges of maintaining global peace during a turbulent period.
Nazi and Soviet Non-Aggression Pact: The Nazi and Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was a treaty signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in which both parties pledged not to attack each other and to remain neutral if the other became involved in conflict. This agreement allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, thus igniting World War II. The pact included secret protocols that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, fundamentally altering the political landscape of Europe during the interwar period.
Neville Chamberlain: Neville Chamberlain was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 to 1940. He is best known for his policy of appeasement towards Adolf Hitler's Germany, particularly in relation to the Munich Agreement of 1938, which allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia in hopes of preventing a larger conflict. His approach has been widely criticized for failing to prevent World War II and is often seen as emblematic of the failures of Western democracies in the interwar period.
Partition of Africa: The Partition of Africa refers to the late 19th-century process where European powers divided and colonized the African continent, largely during the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This event marked the intense scramble among European nations to acquire territories in Africa, leading to significant political, economic, and social changes both on the continent and in Europe, as it set the stage for various conflicts and contributed to tensions that would later play a role in World War I and the interwar period.
Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles was a peace agreement signed in 1919 that officially ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany. It aimed to establish lasting peace but ultimately sowed the seeds for future conflicts, heavily influencing European politics and international relations in the following decades.