Want a summary of everything important from 1919 up until 1939? Well, look no further.

In an attempt to make things interesting, I’ll insert random sarcasm and in an attempt to make things educational, I’ll throw in the odd quote or statistic.

Here goes…

1919 – The Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty of Versailles was a settlement created in 1919 in an attempt to stop Germany from ever waging war again. So what did they do to enforce this?

• The ‘war guilt’ clause put the blame on the Germans for the first world war and were left feeling guilty. Guilty as a result of a war GUILT clause? No fucking way. Anyway yeah, they did that but it backfired because the policy of appeasement is often justified by silly little men who believed Hitler was just trying to ’settle German grievances’. Oh yeah, right.
• Germany lost 13% of her land. Bye bye Sudetenland.
• The Anschluss was forbidden. This was the union of Germany and Austria. Because what would happen if Austria and Germany combined? Absolutely NOTHING good, that’s what.
• Germany lost all it’s colonies. At this point, Britain was still part of a huge empire, making them the most powerful nation in the world. Even though their economy sucked after World War 1 sucked up their moneyz.
• The German army was now limited to 100,000 men. Give you 3 guesses why.
• Germany was to pay £6600 million in reparations because of their destructive tendencies during ‘The Great War’. That’s what you get when you let the bombs win… (Excuse the cheesy Paramore reference.)

1924 – The Dawes Plan.

The Dawes Plan broke down Germany’s reparations – they were in a dire state of depression and could not afford to pay back. Oh, it was commissioned by Charles G. Dawes. Kind chap, I’ve heard.

1925 – The Locarno Treaty.

The what? Locarno. Treaty. Basically, Locarno is a place in Switzerland and a treaty is when… Oh wait, you know that one right? Anyway, what happened at this Locarno place? It actually happens to be very pretty. Look:

Damn, I wish I was there instead of taking this history exam… NO, LAUREN! YOU CAN DAYDREAM ABOUT THAT AFTER! Right then, what happened at this treaty?

• France and Germany agreed on their common border. This was awesome because the borders between each country were totes confusing between 1918, when the war ended, and 1925, when Locarno was established.
• The Rhineland was to be kept permanently de-militarized – the part of Germany which bordered France. Ah the French and their anxious consciences on self-security. What do I think? STOP BEING SO FUCKING COWARDLY. *cough* Please excuse my, uh, French.
• The “Spirit of Locarno” was established – there was an air of world peace circulating. Seems they were jumping ahead of themselves a little but still…

1929 – The Young Plan.

Another plan? Well, it seems the Dawes Plan was pretty much sucking. Germany still couldn’t afford to repay their debts. Basically, the Young Plan reduced reparations by almost 90% and the reparations that were left to be paid were not being demanded to ease the pressure off Germany. DUDE, you’re making Versailles seem like it was totally pointless…

1931 – Japanese Invasion of Manchuria.

You WHAT!? Where the hell did Japan come from? Well, they actually came from Asia. And Manchuria? Manchuria is actually part of Inner Mongolia, which is between China & Russia. Thrilling stuff.

Anyways, the Japanese were an expansionist nation, looking to expand and make everything more Japanese-y. You know, like, they wanted more countries to eat sushi and be good at Maths. Ah, good old Asian stereotypes. Anyway, Japan attacked, but the League of Nations did nothing. Umm… What the frack?

1933 – Hitler & the World Disarmament Conference.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t Hitler. Seems he came to power in this year. Stupid Germans.

What’s more is that when the League of Nations held this conference, Hitler stormed out. Surely this was a sign of things to come, no? But no one really took notice and just thought Hitler was being childish. If Chamberlain had remembered this when he favoured appeasement so much, maybe he’d have seen how unreliable Hitler was…

1935 – A Bunch of Stuff Happened.

Yeah, let’s see…

• Hitler Announced Rearmament – And what did the League do? You guessed it. Absolutely FUCK ALL. Damn their brains.
• The Stresa Front – Britain, France & Italy created a front to put a peaceful stop to Hitler’s acts of aggression. However…
• Mussolini invaded Abyssinia – You WHAT?! He did WHAT?! Yeah, you probably don’t really give a shit, but Mussolini totally invaded Abyssinia during this year and the Stresa Front went to pot.
• Anglo-German Naval Agreement – Britain declared that they would allow the German navy to expand to 35% of Britain’s navy size. This was dead good for Hitler, because he didn’t even plan to expand as much as this, but Britain had literally let him get away with it.

1936 – Hitler & the Rhineland.

• Hitler marched troops into the Rhineland – this broke the Treaty of Versailles but the League of Nations did nothing to stop him. What a frickin’ surprise.

1937 – Chamberlain & Italy.

The 2 are unrelated, to be honest.

• Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister. This was pretty insignificant really, as we will soon learn.
• Italy left the League of Nations – Mussolini was becoming aggravated with the lack of action from Britain, France & the other members of the League of Nations. So, being the slimy, bald bastard he is, he left the League to join Hitler, who appeared to have the most power.

1938 – The Munich Conference. (And The Anchluss.)

Well, the Munich Conference was where Chamberlain reckoned he had defeated Hitler with his little policy of appeasement. Yeah mate, you’re good.

First, he flew to Berchtesgaden to appease Hitler, because he was threatening to commit acts of aggression and invade Czechoslovakia and steal away the Sudetenland.

Next, Chamberlain met Hitler again at Bad Godesberg to discuss the same thing. However, rather than holding his own, Chamberlain ended up giving in and just letting Hitler have the power anyway. All in the name of appeasement. Dick.

Because he was shitting himself, Chamberlain met Hitler & Stalin again in Munich to avoid war. He proposed that they sign the Munich Agreement and Hitler could have the Sudetenland, so long as he promised to not make any more advances against mainland Europe. Only thing is, Chamberlain had a complete lapse in memory and forgot that Hitler could not be trusted. Remember when he marched into the Rhineland in 1936? In the words of Hermione Granger: What. An. Idiot.

What’s more is the fact that the Sudetenland had been taken away from Germany at Versailles, but both the league and the general Allied forces broke it FOR Hitler. WHAT?! Apparently, people thought Hitler’s Germany was entitled to the Sudetenland because over 50% of its inhabitants spoke German. IDIOTS. IDIOTS. IDIOTTTTTS! NOT LIKE GERMANY ARE GONNA START A WAR WITH THEIR NEW LAND IS IT?! *rant over*

Anyway, Chamberlain returned to Britain with a hero’s welcome. He reckoned that he had achieved “peace in our time” and waved a white piece of paper with Hitler’s signature on it. Big fucking wow.

P.s. The Anchluss was agreed in this year too. Germany & Austria were now one. Violated Versailles and all that, but obviously the League did nothing ’cause they sucked hairy donkey balls.

1939 – The Final Year. Chamberlain passes ‘GO’ and doesn’t collect £200.

• Nazi-Soviet Pact – In August, Stalin & Hitler signed the Nazi-Soviet pact, which meant that Hitler was no longer at risk of facing a war on 2 fronts. The pact also said that if war was to be waged against either the USSR or Germany, they would help their mates out. However, this was good because it finally gave Chamberlain a kick up the arse and he ordered the navy to be called up ready.
• 1st September, 1939, Hitler invades Poland – Yep, that’s it. Hitler invades. Shots are fired. Everyone shits it.
• 3rd September, 1939, Chamberlain declares war against Germany and the Axis Powers – Ut oh, here we go. You know what’s coming. 6 years of full out war. APPEASEMENT HAS FAILED EPICALLY.

THAT’S IT!

Just remember as much as you can, we hope our geeky history articles haven’t bored you too much and we hope the exam is good to you!

We’re all convinced we’re going to fail, but only time will tell.

15 HOURS TO GO!!!