Why was the international response to German aggression largely ineffective?

The international response to German aggression was largely ineffective due to appeasement policies and lack of military preparedness.

The policy of appeasement, primarily pursued by Britain and France, played a significant role in the ineffectiveness of the international response to German aggression. This policy was based on the belief that if European states satisfied the reasonable demands of dissatisfied powers, the latter would be content, and stability and peace would be maintained. The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, was a strong advocate of appeasement, believing that by conceding to Hitler's demands, a second world war could be avoided. However, this policy only emboldened Hitler, who continued to violate the Treaty of Versailles, rearming Germany and annexing Austria and the Sudetenland.

Another factor contributing to the ineffective international response was the lack of military preparedness. Many countries, still recovering from the economic and human costs of the First World War, were reluctant to invest in military expansion. The Great Depression of the 1930s further strained economies, making military spending even less of a priority. This lack of preparedness was evident in the early stages of the Second World War, where the Allies were unable to effectively counter German aggression.

The League of Nations, established after the First World War to maintain international peace and security, also proved ineffective in responding to German aggression. The League lacked enforcement mechanisms and was often ignored by its member states. Germany, Italy, and Japan, the main aggressors in the 1930s, simply left the League when it suited them. The League's inability to prevent or punish aggression undermined its credibility and effectiveness.

The Soviet Union's non-aggression pact with Germany, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, further complicated the international response. This pact not only allowed Hitler to avoid a two-front war, but also isolated Britain and France, making it more difficult for them to effectively respond to German aggression.

In conclusion, the international response to German aggression was largely ineffective due to a combination of appeasement policies, lack of military preparedness, the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations, and the strategic alliances formed by Germany.