Source A

Contextual Knowledge:

The league of nations was created in 1919, and its purpose was to bring world peace. People were
optimistic at this time. The founding of the league of nations meant that the league was trying to
bring about hope in order to prevent another catastrophe similar to World War 1. However, as time
progressed, people began to criticise the league of nations as it was seen to be quite weak.
Specifically, it did not have an army which made people question their ability to pressure certain
countries to stop their behaviour. Additionally, the USA was absent from the league although it was
their idea. USA did not want to get stuck in European conflicts in the future. Therefore, there was a
lot of criticism that the league would fail.

Analysis:

“My offensive equipment being practically nil” – League of Nations had no army.

“It remains for me to fascinate him with the power of my eye” – Speech?

The league of nations is represented by a rabbit. The snake itself represent international problems
[International Strife]. When the source says “My offensive equipment being practically nil,” it
demonstrates that the league of nations had no army to physically pressure other countries. Futher,
Source B

Contextual Knowledge:

By 1933, Hitler had become chancellor of Germany, and by 1934 onwards, he was dictator and
therefore had absolute power. By 1933 and even before that, Hitler had proclaimed he had wanted
to destroy the terms of the treaty of Versailles. This led to Hitler remilitarising his nation, in specific
he introduced transcription which sent his army above the 100,000-soldier limit, and also by creating
his own air force (Luftwaffe). Further, he also sent troops into the Rhineland IN 1936, which was
forbidden.

David Low was British, and strongly believed Hitler was aggressive and was trying to bully his way
into destroying the treaty of Versailles and to invade other countries to strengthen Germany.

Analysis:

First Stair - Rearmament

Second Stair – The Rhineland

Top stair – Boss of the Universe

Spineless Leaders of Democracy represents Britain and France.

Explicitly, Hitler gesture is making fun of Britain and France as he is able to get away with what he is
able to get away with. Hitler’s legs also represent the ‘goose march’ which is they way German
soldiers marched. It could possibly represent how Hitler utilised these soldiers in an aggressive way
in order to take control. Further, at the bottom of the stairs, the leaders are still alive whereas the
leaders towards the top are dead. This could represent the idea that there has been a war and the
people are casualties, which only increases until it reaches the top.

Implicitly, David Low is trying to demonstrate that Hitler is marching towards [on a path] towards
becoming the ‘Boss of the Universe’.

Ultimately, the overall message is that Hitler is an aggressive person; wanting to become something
that the treaty of Versailles should have prevented, but nevertheless he is on a path that is
attempting to start quite small, but ultimately end up into something much larger.

Evaluation:

Perspective: David Low is criticising the leaders of democracy, such as Britain and France, and
exemplified with Hitler’s gestures which radicalise his ability to get away with his actions.

Significance: The source is significant in illustrating Hitler’s aggressive nationalism and want in
breaking the Treat of Versailles which unjustly destroyed Germany. However, the source is also
significant it portrays how the League of Nations failed to prevent Hitlers actions.
Source C

Contextual Knowledge:

This cartoon about the reoccupation of the Rhineland was published in 1936, three years before
World War II began. It is a primary source because it was written at the time of the event, where
Germany went against the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties and took over the
Rhineland. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which were set after World War 1, were extremely
harsh. The treaty required Germany to take full blame for the war, pay 6,600 million pounds for the
damage of the war, shrink their army, and give up a lot of their land and colonies. Because of this,
their union with Austria was not allowed either. One of the biggest disappointments for Germany
was shrinking their army because of how powerful their army was before. They were only allowed to
have six naval ships, and they were not allowed to have tanks or an air force. Along with this, the
Rhineland had to be de-militarised. It was partly because of the harshness of this treaty that
Germany took over the Rhineland, which went against the Locarno Treaties. Apart from this, they
also wanted their power back the way it was during the time of the Weimar Republic.
Source D

Contextual Knowledge:

David Low was British, and strongly believed Hitler was aggressive and was trying to bully his way
into destroying the treaty of Versailles and to invade other countries to strengthen Germany.
Source E

Contextual Knowledge:

This cartoon about the reoccupation of the Rhineland was published in 1936, three years before
World War II began. It is a primary source because it was written at the time of the event, where
Germany went against the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties and took over the
Rhineland. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which were set after World War 1, were extremely
harsh. The treaty required Germany to take full blame for the war, pay 6,600 million pounds for the
damage of the war, shrink their army, and give up a lot of their land and colonies. Because of this,
their union with Austria was not allowed either. One of the biggest disappointments for Germany
was shrinking their army because of how powerful their army was before. They were only allowed to
have six naval ships, and they were not allowed to have tanks or an air force. Along with this, the
Rhineland had to be de-militarised. It was partly because of the harshness of this treaty that
Germany took over the Rhineland, which went against the Locarno Treaties. Apart from this, they
also wanted their power back the way it was during the time of the Weimar Republic.

Analysis:

“It will be the duty of German Foreign policy to get large spaces to feed and house the growing
population of Germany. Destiny points us towards Russia.”

Explicitly, the source demonstrates Hitler’s motivations behind his aggressive nationalistic
conquests. He states that the German Foreign policy weas needed to feed the German people create
more land for them. He also talks about how Russia was a vitally important in succeeding in this.

Implicitly,

Evaluation:

Perspective: Hitler is demonstrating the other side of the war, opposed to Britain and France, where
he believed that the German people needed more land and food, however, implicitly, also for his
own reasons including the need for territorial conquest, … and deep desire that the Aryan people
(German people) were the superior race exemplified with Hitler’s quotes in Mein Krampf.

Significance: The source is significant in showing Hitlers motives behind his aggressive nationalism,
while also pointing out the depth of how much the outbreak of war can be attributed to Hitler.
Source F

Contextual Knowledge:

Back in 1917, Russia became Communist and instead was called ‘Soviet Russia.’ The communist
party believed the working class around the world should be more equal. They felt that the rich had
too much wealth and power. Although some found this idea good, people around the world
disagreed with this, and saw Russia as a threat. As a result of this, many countries saw Russia as the
main threat at the time, not Russia and explains why Chamberlain (British Prime minister) allowed
Hitler to get away with so much. Nevertheless, Hitler had said in countless speeches that he himself
wanted to destroy Soviet Russia and he felt like they were Germany’s sworn issues and thus, it came
a shock to the world that the Russians and Germans signed the Nazi Soviet Pact which promised
never to go to war to each other. Chamberlain had actually given up the policy of appeasement after
Hitler broke promises to not invade Czechoslovakia in 1939 and would therefore declare war on
Hitler if they went even further and attacked Poland. Although this Pact promised that Germany and
Russia would never go to war, the Pact also has a secret aspect which said that they would both
eventually invade Poland and divide it up between them. Many think that Hitler signed this Pact so
that Britain would never dare to declare war on Germany, knowing Russia was on their side.
Furthermore, many believe that Stalin did not sign the Pact in full honestly. Many think it was a
strategy so that he had time to prepare his army as he knew Hitler was moving eastwards and would
eventually invade Russia. Therefore, the Nazi Soviet Pact was almost known as the marriage of
convenience as it suited both the needs of Stalin and Hitler.

Analysis:

“Hitler regarded the Pact as his master stroke. Although he had promised the Russians easter
Poland, Finland, Estonia and Latvia, he never intended to allow them to keep these territories. Stalin
did not expect Hitler to keep his word either. He was sure he could only gain from a long war in
which Britain, France and Germany exhausted themselves. Seldom have two countries entered an
alliance so dishonestly.”

Explicitly, it is clear that both nations intended to betray their fellow counterparts in the Pact.