Czechoslavakia Crisis• Created after WWI, millions of

ethnic Germans live there, it’s called Sudetenland

• Land rich in minerals• 1938, Hitler demanded return of the

Sudetenland to the Reich, or German gov’t

• Czechoslavakia turns to ally France for help and France seeks guidance from Brit.

• Brit. and France say they’ll support “self-determination” (right to choose gov’t)

• Hitler frustrated, Sept. 22 he demanded complete annexation and occupation

How Would Your Country Respond?A. Unconditional support German

demandsB. Neutral (not supporting either

side)C. Negotiated w/ Hitler. He can take

Sudetenland if he promises to make no more demands on Czech.

D. Oppose Germany but no threat to declare war on Germany if it attacks Sudetenland

E. Threaten to declare war on Germany if it tries to take Sudentenland

Britain• You try to talk to Germany – Munich

Conference Sept. 28, 1938• Appeasement (making

compromises to an aggressor to keep peace) by letting Germany occupy Sudetenland

• Agreement between Germany and Britain, France, Italy (called the Munich Pact) said Germany could occupy Sudetenland if it was their last territorial demand in Europe

• (C)

France • Claimed it would defend Czech.

if it was attacked by Germany, but in reality, French president doesn’t want fighting

• France attends Munich conference too and signed Munich Pact

• (C)

Soviet Union• Strictly opposed to extension of

German territory, so they didn’t attend Munich Conference

• Stalin supported Czech. against German aggression, but didn’t think his army was ready to fight Germany in 1938

• Reluctantly, he decided to not become involved in solving the crisis

• (D)

United States• Isolationist foreign policy after

WWI• Maintained neutrality toward

European problems• (B)

Poland• Supported Germany b/c it wanted

the rich, coal-producing region in northern Czech.

• For its support, Poland was awarded this northern region by Germany in Sept. 1938

• (A)

Switzerland• Remained neutral• But b/c it was close to both

Czech. and Germany, it accelerated its preparedness for war

• (B)

Violation of Munich• Munich Conference – Britain,

France, Germany, Italy• Britain and France want to strike

a deal – appeasement• Germany occupied Sudetenland

in Oct., but soon Germany begins to pressure Czech leaders and wants new Czech gov’t that’s sympathetic to Germany

• Threatens war • Occupy Czech. and annexes it

next day

How do you respond?A. Supported Germany’s annexation

of Czech.B. Declared war on Germany for

breaking Munich PactC. Continued appeasement, hoping

Germany would finish its territorial aggression

D. Tried to negotiate with Germany to pull out of Czech.

E. NeutralF. Neutral, but prepared for defensive

war in case of invasion

Britain• Didn’t respond, just stood by• (C)

France • Followed Britain’s lead, appeasing

Hitler in hopes that Czech. Crisis wouldn’t cause international war

• (C)

Soviet Union• Adopted a more friendly stance

towards Germany b/c Stalin thought Western countries could do nothing to stop the rise of Nazi Germany

• Hoped that good relationship w/ Germany would keep Russia out of European war

• (A)

United States• Maintained neutrality• Staying out of conflicts in Europe• (E)

Poland• Too small to stand up to Germany • Forced to accept appeasement

policy adopted by allies, Britain and France

• (C)

Switzerland• Maintained neutrality• But intensifies defensive

measures because of threat of invasion

• (F)

Invasion of Poland• After occupation of Czech, Hitler

looks towards Polish Corridor, strip of German land given to Poland in 1919

• This strip split Germany into two parts

• 1939, Hitler makes demands for territory to be returned to Germany

• Fearing aggression, Poland reinforced defense agreements w/France, Brit., USSR

• But, Hitler and Stalin shocked the world by signing the Nonaggression Pact (pledging to not attack one another in case of war

Invasion of Poland• Defense agreement between

Poland and USSR useless now• Neville Chamberlain, Brit. Prime

Minister, formally gives Brit. support to Poland

• France promises to attack Germany if they start war in Poland

• Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland

How do you respond?A. NeutralB. Neutral, but prepared for defensive

war in case of invasionC. Gave financial aid (money) to Allies

(all countries fighting against Germany)- Germany and its allies called Axis

PowersD. Joined Germany in its invasion of

PolandE. Declared war on Germany and

hoped they would retreat from Poland, but did not actually fight

F. Declared war on Germany and sent troops to fight the Germans

Britain• Could not help defend Poland

militarily• Declares war on Germany, but does

not start any fighting w/Germans• (E)

France • Declares war on Germany• Some minor attacks on the French-

German border, but for the most part, France does not aid the Poles despite their defense agreement

• France begins long process to defend its border w/ Germany

• (E)

Soviet Union• Supported German invasion of Poland• Stalin realizes war in Europe

inevitable so he signs secret agreements w/ Germany that would divide up Eastern Europe between the two countries

• Soviet Union invades Poland in alliance w/ Germany

• (D)

United States• With the invasion of Poland, the

official beginning of the war, the U.S. announces its neutrality

• Pres. Roosevelt says he’ll take all necessary measures except for war to help the Allies

• (A)

Poland• Fought for over 3 weeks before

surrendering to Germany and Soviet Union

• A Polish “gov’t in exile” established in London

• (F)

Switzerland• Stays neutral• But it does mobilize 430,000 troops

in case it was invaded by Germany• (B)