Japan and Italy were denied markets and the means to earn foreign currency with which to buy raw materials. German big business was pressing for a policy of expansion into eastern Europe.
They were not too keen on giving power to Hitler. But their fear that mass unemployment might spark revolution and their belief that Hitler could be house-trained encouraged them to invite him to become head of government – chancellor.
Once he had begun rebuilding German military might he began grabbing neighbouring territory.
Chamberlain was convinced the US was a greater threat to Britain and the empire. As Chamberlain and his French allies agreed to each expansion of the Third Reich, Hitler became convinced neither state would fight.
The Russian dictator Joseph Stalin viewed matters in terms of diplomatic interests.
In 1933 he believed Germany would come into conflict with the Western powers and seek agreement with Russia. A year later he understood the Third Reich was gearing up to war with Russia. Stalin attempted to form an alliance with Britain and France but they rebuffed him.
Britain and France handed over western Czechoslovakia to Germany without reference to the Czechs in September 1938 at a summit in Munich.
But then Hitler broke his word and gobbled up the rest of the Czech state. Even within Chamberlain’s government there were some who believed Britain needed to assert itself.
Britain pledged to fight if Poland was subjected to German aggression.
Chamberlain viewed this as a bargaining chip and continued to pursue a deal with Hitler even after war eventually came.
Stalin decided to reach an agreement with Hitler. They agreed to divide up Poland and signed a treaty of friendship in August 1939.
Apologists for Stalin would claim the pact bought time for Russia to prepare its defences. But when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 there was no evidence of such preparations.
Vital supplies of oil and other raw materials flowed west giving Hitler the means to wage war.
When Poland was invaded in September 1939, Britain and France reluctantly declared war. They then did nothing.
The British establishment had loved up to Hitler. Few ordinary people had faith in the ability of Chamberlain and his government to defeat Nazism.