how did the response of the League of Nations and of Britain, France, and other European nations to Axis aggression contributed to the start of the war?
Please read the links that Reed and I posted for you.
Here's another.
http://uahsibhistory.wikispaces.com/Appeasement+and+League+of+Nations+as+Causes+of+WWII
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To understand how the League of Nations and European nations' response contributed to the start of the war, we need to examine the events leading up to the outbreak of World War II:
1. League of Nations' Weaknesses: The League of Nations was an international organization established after World War I with the aim to maintain peace and prevent conflicts. However, it had several weaknesses that limited its effectiveness. First, powerful nations like the United States never joined, which weakened its authority. Additionally, the League lacked an effective military force to enforce its decisions.
2. Failure to Address Aggression: In the 1930s, fascist powers, such as Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, and Imperial Japan under Emperor Hirohito, began their aggressive expansionist policies. These countries aimed to expand their territories and influence, which directly violated the principles of the League.
3. League of Nations' Response: The League had a mixed response to the aggression of the Axis powers. For instance, when Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, the League condemned the action but failed to take any decisive action. Similarly, when Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by occupying Rhineland in 1936, the League responded with collective disapproval but did not engage in any meaningful military action.
4. Appeasement Policy: The response of Britain, France, and other European nations was largely characterized by a policy of appeasement. Rather than confronting Hitler's aggressive actions, they sought to maintain peace by making concessions and giving in to his demands. The Munich Agreement of 1938, which allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland, is a well-known example.
5. Escalation of Aggression: Instead of deterring the Axis powers, the League's weak response and appeasement policy only emboldened them. Hitler, in particular, saw these actions as a sign of weakness and an opportunity for further aggression.
6. Outbreak of the War: The culmination of these factors was the invasion of Poland by Germany in September 1939. Britain and France, realizing the failure of appeasement, finally declared war on Germany, marking the start of World War II.
In summary, the League of Nations' inability to take decisive action and the policy of appeasement adopted by Britain, France, and other European nations contributed to the start of the war. These responses not only failed to deter the Axis powers but also enabled their aggressive expansionist policies, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II.