Conflict in Europe Notes

Summary:

The summary of Conflict in Europe focuses on the League of Nations collapse and the appeasement policy leading up to World War II. The League of Nations was established with the idea of collective security, where member nations would unite to deter aggression. However, the League’s structure, limitations, and failed attempts to strengthen it led to its failure to prevent major conflicts.

Three significant events highlighted the League’s impotence: the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935, and the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. In each case, the League’s responses were weak, and major powers like Britain and France chose appeasement, allowing aggressors to act without consequences.

The policy of appeasement was driven by various factors, including the fear of war, admiration for leaders like Hitler, isolationism, and the need for logistical time to rearm. Events such as the Anglo-German Naval Agreement and the Rhineland’s Remilitarization showcased major powers’ willingness to make concessions to avoid conflict.

In conclusion, the collapse of the League of Nations and the appeasement policy set the stage for World War II. These actions failed to deter aggressive nations, emboldened dictators, and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of one of the most devastating conflicts in human history.

Excerpt:

Conflict in Europe Notes

Survey
● Growth of European tensions, including:
○ the collapse of collective security – Abyssinia, the Spanish Civil War
○ Britain, France and the policy of appeasement
○ significance of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY
Collective Security:
– deterrent against the war that formed the basic power of the League of Nations. It asserted that if one member nation was attacked, all other nations would defend themselves. Alternatively, if a member nation acted as an unwarranted aggressor, all member nations would retaliate unison. a WAR DETERRENT

– The League of Nations was the brainchild of POTUS Wilson
– the 14th point of his Fourteen Points for Peace outlined at Versailles
– based on collective security