Who Was to Blame? The Responsibility Debate Flashcards

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Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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In history, what does the "responsibility debate" about 1939 ask?

It asks who or what was most to blame for the start of the Second World War in 1939.

What view do many historians take about Hitler's blame for the war in 1939?

Many say Hitler was mainly to blame. He had clear plans for war, broke treaties on purpose and chose to invade other countries.

How do Hitler's actions from 1933 to 1939 support the idea that he was mainly to blame?

He built up Germany's armed forces, sent troops into banned areas and took land from neighbouring countries. He then invaded Poland, even though he knew this could start a wider war.

Why do some historians blame Britain and France's policy of appeasement for the war in 1939?

They say appeasement encouraged Hitler. Each time he broke a rule and was rewarded, he grew more confident and harder to stop.

How do some historians defend Chamberlain and appeasement when deciding who was to blame?

They argue he wanted to avoid another terrible war and needed time to rearm Britain. They also point out that he finally promised to defend Poland and did declare war on Germany in 1939.

Why do some historians think Stalin and the Nazi–Soviet Pact share blame for the war?

By signing the Nazi–Soviet Pact, Stalin agreed not to fight Hitler and to divide Poland. This made it safer for Germany to invade Poland and helped make war certain.

How can the Treaty of Versailles be seen as a cause of the war in 1939?

The treaty's harsh terms left many Germans angry and poor. This helped Hitler gain support with promises to undo the treaty and win back land by force.

In what way did the failure of the League of Nations add to who was to blame for the war?

The League failed to punish aggression in the 1930s, for example by Japan and Italy. This made dictators like Hitler believe other countries would not unite to stop them starting a war.

What is the "shared responsibility" view of the causes of the war in 1939?

This view says no single country was fully to blame. Instead many leaders, treaties, economic problems and bad choices together led to war.

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