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Chapter 4.1: Among the factors leading to the outbreak of World War II in…
Chapter 4.1: Among the factors leading to the outbreak of World War II in Europe, which is more significant: Weakness of LON, Hitler's Expansionist policy or the Appeasement policy?
Weakness of LON
Failure of Disarmament
Disarmament was one of the main solutions to prevent a second general war. With smaller military capacities it was hoped that nations would thus be unwilling and unable to resort to war to resolve their differences.
However, the Major Powers were unwilling to compromise on their military capabilities and worried about their ability to defend themselves and their empires against foreign attacks -> build-up of a tense political atmosphere of distrust which contributed to the onset of the Second World War. Major powers still retained the capacity to conduct war on a large scale thus contributing to WWII.
Abyssinian Crisis
Collective Security was another one of the main solutions to prevent a second general war. It is hoped that by collectively defending against aggressor nations, these aggressors would be deterred from invading a country and thus prevent the triggering of a large-scale conflict.
Abyssinia was closer to Europe and bordered British colonies in Africa. However, as Britain and France were Allies with Italy at the time under the Stresa Front, little was done by the LON to help Abyssinia defend against Mussolini's Italy.
It sent a strong signal to the rest of the World and Hitler that the LON was a weak and powerless organisation -> build-up of a tense political atmosphere of distrust as many countries still retained the capacity to conduct war on a large scale as they could not depend on the LON for the security + Signalled Hitler that this was the best opportunity for him to begin his process of expansion.
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Policy of Appeasement
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Buying time to rearm
As WWI weakened the economies and militaries of Britain and France, it is believed that the appeasement policy was adopted in part of giving themselves time to rearm.
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