The+World+Reacts+to+Hitler

At first Western leaders reacted favourably to Hitler's economic reforms and chose to ignore or did not realize the dangers of Nazi rule. The last thing they wanted was another war like the last one, especially in the middle of a Depression. Most leaders, including Mackenzie King, favoured a policy of **appeasement** - giving Hitler what he wanted in order to avoid another war.

Here's what Mackenzie King wrote in his diary in February 1938:

"I believe Hitler was honest in what he said to me [in June 1937] and will control the situation for peace. He will, however, make known anew his purpose to have a real say in Europe... [Hitler is] indicating real leadership in an appalling European situation..." National Archives of Canada, Diaries of Mackenzie King, February 20, 1938

But not everyone was in favour of appeasement. Winston Churchill, who became prime minister of Britain in 1940, once said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last?"


 * Literacy Hint **

When you read these quotations, keep in mind the time and place in which they were written. What can you conclude from them about Hitler's personality and his ability to persuade people?


 * Jewish Refugees **

Events in Germany alarmed the Jewish community, and many German Jews tried to get out. Although some did manage to escape, many countries were unwilling to take in large numbers of refugees.

In March 1939, the SS //St. Louis// left Hamburg with 907 Jewish men, women, and children aboard. The ship sailed first for Cuba. When it arrived, however, the Cuban government would not let the passengers land. Neither would Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, or the United States.

A number of prominent Canadians sent a telegram to Prime Minister King, begging him to allow the ship into the country. But King refused. Frederick Blair, the prime minister's chief adviser on immigration matters, expressed the government's position this way:

Canada cannot open its doors wide enough to take in the hundreds of thousands of Jewish people who want to leave Europe: the line must be drawn somewhere.


 * Did You Know? **

From 1933 to 1939, Canada admitted only about 4000 Jewish immigrants. Compare this with the United States, which took in about 240 000.

It was true that unemployment was high, but this was not the only factor in King's decision. Anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jews) was widespread in many nations - including Canada. Many Canadian clubs and organizations would not allow Jews to become members. Jews were barred from some professions, and many Jewish people already living in Canada found it necessary to hide their identity in order to get work.

The SS //St. Louis// could find no country that would accept its human cargo, so it returned to Hamburg. Many of the passengers would later die at the hands of the Nazis.

__ Questions __ __ 1. Edmund Burke (1729-1797), a British politician, once wrote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good [people] do nothing." How does this quotation apply to the SS St. Louis incident and to the plight of Jews in the 1930s in general? __ __ 2. a) What is your reaction to Canada's refusal to admit the refugees on the SS St. Louis? __ __ b) In your opinion, does Canada have a duty to accept refugees who are fleeing from dangerous situations? Discuss with a partner or in a small group then write your own answer to the question. __


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Living Language **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Anti-aircraft gunfire became known as "ack-ack" in 1939. "Ack" was the military word to denote the letter "a" at that time, so "ack-ack fire" became established in the language. Today, incoming enemy planes are usually met with heat-seeking or guided missiles, and the letter "a" is now denoted by the word "alpha."

= The Road to War, 1936 to 1939 =

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">While Hitler was pursuing his anti-Semitic policies at home, he was also plotting to extend Germany's borders. After gaining complete power, Hitler set out to build up the German military machine. The //Wehrmacht// (army), //Luftwaffe// (air force), and //Kriegsmarine// (navy) became fearsome weapons. The Treaty of Versailles said that this was illegal, but Hitler went ahead anyway.

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Since the other nations did not try to stop the military buildup, Hitler decided to put it to use. Between 1936 and 1939 he began taking over more and more territory in Europe. Each time he did so, other nations failed to react. Hitler learned from this that he could get much of what he wanted without actually going to war. He got bolder and bolder, believing that the Western nations would never try to stop him.

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Territories invaded or annexed by Hitler, 1936-39. Which three countries do you think Hitler attacked once war was declared?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">1. March 1936: **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;"> Hitler sends troops into an area of Germany near the French border called the Rhineland. This area was supposed to be a demilitarized zone (area where troops are not allowed).


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">2. March 1938: **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;"> Hitler sends the Wehrmacht into Austria (where he was born) and annexes it to Germany.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">3. October 1938: **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;"> The leaders of Britain, France, and Italy (but not Czechoslovakia) meet with Hitler in Munich. They agree to let Germany take over the Sudetenland, a territory in Czechoslovakia where most of the population speaks German. In exchange, Hitler promises that he will not make any more demands for territory.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">4. March 1939: **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;"> Hitler takes over the rest of Czechoslovakia.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">5. September 1939: **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;"> Hitler invades Poland, claiming Germans there are being attacked by Poles.

<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">The invasion of Poland in 1939 finally forced Britain, France, and Canada to act. Britain and France demanded that Germany withdraw. Hitler never even replied to their message. On September 3, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">September 3 was part of the Labour Day weekend in Canada. Before war could be declared, Parliament had to be recalled. This took a week, because members had to travel from all across the country by train. Finally, on September 10, 1939, Canada, too, declared war. For the second time in a generation, Canada was at war.

__ Question __

__ 3. As we learning in Unit 2, Canada had already made it clear to Britain that it would no longer automatically go to war to defend Britain's interests. Why, then, do you think Canada entered the war so quickly in 1939? __


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Canadians Look Ahead **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">How do you think people felt about going to war in September 1939? Some were fearful. Some were happy because they realized that it truly meant the end of the Depression. The government would spend billions of dollars on the military and this would create lots of jobs for the unemployed. Most of the people who volunteered for the Forces probably thought little about Poland. They joined for their own reasons. The following extract gives us -some insight into this.

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">I wasn't patriotic. None of my buddies were. I just wanted some good clothes and hot showers and three decent meals a day and a few dollars for tobacco and beer in my pocket, and that's about all I wanted...

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">Quoted in Barry Broadfoot, //Ten Lost Years, 1929-1939// (Toronto: Doubleday Canada Ltd., 1973), p. 373