Was idealism the primary cause of World War II? YES

By: Emily Southey

Opposition Why they were NOT the primary cause of WWII: Arguments Treaty of Versailles

The treaty itself was not the cause, it was the idealistic allies failing to make it harsh enough that allowed Germany to rebuild which led to the war Additionally, the allies appeasement (idealistic) of Germany’s violations of the treaty led to the war

Hitler’s Germany

Hitler could have been stopped numerous times. Hitler himself said that if they met French resistance in the Rhineland, they would have been forced to retreat.

Military Ambition

The other axis powers (Italy and Japan) would not have started a war on their own, they did not have the resources to wage war(military, industrial strength)

IDEALIST THINKER(S)

THEIR IDEALISTIC POLICY

THE GOAL OF THEIR POLICY/IDEA

HOW IT LED TO WWII

Neville Chamberlain

Appeasement To prevent war through negotiation

Woodrow Wilson

The League of Nations

To promote peace They did not enforce it through international co- which gave dictators operation (e.g. the idea that they could collective security) continue to expand without facing consequences

David Lloyd George & Woodrow Wilson

The Treaty of Versailles

To limit Germany’s power to rebuild, however, not fully as cooperation is important in peace

Enabled/encouraged Hitler to build up his military and continue to occupy land

Allowed Germany to rebuild and become a world superpower, as it wasn’t limiting enough on Germany

 Assumptions

of idealism related to appeasement: War can be prevented

&

international cooperation will promote peace.  Definition:

the policy of acceding to the demands of a potentially hostile nation in the hope of maintaining peace and

preventing war.

 Hitler

violated the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription and rebuilding his Navy (Kreigsmarine), armoured divisons (Panzerwaffe), and Air Force (Luftwaffe), and yet

the allies did

NOTHING  Germany

had assembled 95 warships, 8,250 airplanes, and an army of over 1 million soldiers.

 The

Anglo-German Naval Agreement

allowed Germany to increase their navy to 35% of Britain’s at the time

 Britain

 Britain

believed that this cooperation with Germany could prevent them from expanding: Idealistic assumptions-War can be prevented and international cooperation will promote peace

“The forty-eight hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had then marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance.”

 "If

you French had intervened in the Rhineland in 1936 we would have been sunk and Hitler would have fallen.”

-Heinz Guderian, German General

NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN: AN IDEALIST  “The

settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may

find peace.” -Neville Chamberlain at the Heston Aerdome in 1938

 “My

good friends, for the second time in our history a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour.

I believe it is peace for our time”. -Neville Chamberlain, 1938

 “The

enemy did not expect my great determination. Our enemies are little worms, I saw them at Munich…Now Poland is in the position I wanted”.

– Adolf Hitler, August 22, 1939



  



March 1935- Hitler introduced military conscription and began rebuilding their armed forces March 1936- Hitler invaded the Rhineland March 1938- Hitler annexed Austria in the Anschluss March 1939- Hitler occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia September 1, 1939- Hitler invaded Poland

All of these violations, and what did France and Britain do?

NOTHING. They idealistically believed that appeasing Hitler would prevent war.

“By

continually giving in to Hitler they tempted Hitler to go further and further, thus encouraging him into a war”. -British Historian A.J.P. Taylor

Allied Quotes About Hitler 

"I have never met a happier people than the Germans and Hitler is one of the greatest men." -David Lloyd George



“One man has accomplished this miracle. He is a born leader of men. A magnetic dynamic personality with a single-minded purpose, a resolute will, and a dauntless heart. He is the national Leader.”-David Lloyd George



"Yes, Heil Hitler. I, too, say that because he is truly a great man.”- David Lloyd George



“There is no human being living whose promise on important matters I would trust more readily.“Viscount Rothermere, British Politician