1. Treaty of Versailles: After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was imposed on Germany, which included significant territorial losses, reparations, and restrictions on military capabilities.
2. Kellogg-Briand Pact: In 1928, the Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed by Germany and other nations, renouncing war as a means of settling international disputes.
3. Appeasement Policy: In the 1930s, several countries adopted a policy of appeasement, seeking to avoid war by making concessions to Germany. Examples include the Munich Agreement of 1938, which allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.
4. Non-Intervention Agreement: In 1936, the Non-Intervention Agreement was signed by several European countries, including France and the United Kingdom, agreeing not to intervene in the Spanish Civil War. This policy indirectly benefited Germany, which supported the Nationalist forces in the conflict.
5. League of Nations: The League of Nations, established after World War I to promote international cooperation and prevent conflict, was unable to effectively address Germany's growing aggression and territorial demands.
6. Failure to Enforce the Treaty of Versailles: Despite concerns about Germany's rearmament and violations of the Treaty of Versailles, the allies did not take significant action to enforce the treaty or impose sanctions on Germany.
7. Lack of Collective Security: The League of Nations lacked a strong enforcement mechanism and many countries were reluctant to commit to collective action against Germany.
8. Neville Chamberlain's Policy of Appeasement: As British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain pursued a policy of appeasement, believing that concessions to Germany could preserve peace. This approach culminated in the Munich Agreement.
9. Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact): In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union entered into a non-aggression pact, which essentially left Poland vulnerable to German invasion without fear of Soviet intervention.
Despite various attempts at diplomacy, appeasement, and non-intervention, the failure to take strong collective action against Germany's aggressive policies ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.