World War II Country Trends: Neutrals--Failed Neutrals

World War II neutrals
Figure 1.--The Scandnavia countries were able to maintain their neutrality during World War and hoped to do the same after the outbreak of World War II. Closely associated Finland also desired the same. Only Sweden, however, was able to do so. Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union (November 1939). Denmark and Norway were invaded by NAZI Germany (April 1940). Sweden was about to avoid a NAZI invasion only because it provuded the Germans the iron ore needed by the NAZI war machine. Many Scandnavians were able to find refuge in Sweden. The Swedes took in Finnish evacuation children as well as the Danish Jews. We are not sure when this photograph was taken, but looks to be taken during the war.

Few countries wantd to fight another war, but the Axis and the Soviet Union did. It is sometines said that it tks two countries to fight. Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes only one country to start a war. The second country has to decide to surrender or fight. Countries bordering on Germany and the Soviet Union were hard put to maintain their independence. They simply did not have the military power to resist. The Germans before the War forced several countries into the Axis. Hungary was a willing opartner. Bulgaria nd Romsnia took more persuading. he Germans and Soviets after signing the NAZI-Soviet-Non Agression Pact (August 1939) conducted open season on neutrals. Germany and the Soviets were the only countries that wanted to go to war. Even Germany's Axis partner, Italy, was hesitant to go to War--until France was obviously defeted. After launching the war, Hitler and Stalin invaded more than 10 countries attempting to hide behind the protection of neutrality, in chronological order: Poland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luembourg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Yugoslavia, and Greece. This was seen as a way for small countries to avoid war in an international system dominated by the rule of law. It was to prove to be a useless policy in a world dominated by ruthless totalitarian powers rejecting the rule of law both domestically and internationally. The two countries were bent on aggresion and conquest as well as murder on a massive scale. Countries bordering on Germany and the Soviet Union or caught between them found themselves with few alteratives. Many countries were able to stay out of World War I by declaring neutrality. Only Belgium and Greece were neutrals attacked by belligerants. The German invasion of neutral Belgium shocked the world and launched the War. This was much less true of World War II. In fact, most countries which declared neutrality would be attacked by either the Axis powers (or forced into the Axis) or by the Soviet Union. This would change after World War II. Few European countries were willing to place their faith in neutrality again.

Poland (1939)

Poland was the first NAZI victim. Czechoslovakia was first, but was was not a neutral. They had an alliance treary with France. France refused, however, to honor the treaty because the British refused ti bck them. The Czechs submitted to the Germans. Poland did not. The Poles were neutral wunyil the Germns annexed what was left of Czechoslovakia. The British and Frnbce then offered a treaty commitment. Hitler was sure that they were bluffing. The Germns iunvased (September 1, 1939). The British and French declared war 2 days later (Seoptember 3), thus beginning World War II. Polish defenses were unequal to the NAZI rmpage. ithin dys they were approching Warsaw. The Soviet Union as arranges by the NAZI-Sioviet Pact, invaded from the East (September 17), ending all possibility of Polisg resistance. Hermny nd Polnd partiobed Polnd beteen them. This began the horifuc NAZI and Soviet occupations. Historians genrally focus on the NAZI occupation. The Soviet occupation was also barbaric. The Katyn Masacre is well know, but a small part of the Soviet brutalization of the Polish people.

Finland (1939)

Finlnd was part of the Tsarist Empire in World War I, but after the War nachieved its indeopendence. Stalin wanted it back. None of the would be neutrals offered effective rsistance to the German and Soviet invasions. They just did not hve the military capability to do so. The sole exception was Finlnd. Stalin attempted to seize control of Finland in the same small steps they used in the Baltics. The Finns chose to resist leading to the Red Army invasion and the Winter War (November 1939). Amazingly the virtually unarmed Finns stoped the massive Red Army cold and inflicted massive casualties. The Finns did not have, however, the capability to hold out for long. And the Allies dithered on assisting them. Eventually they bad to seek an armistice and make major territorial concessions. The Siviets gained considerabkle territory, but not people. Almost th enture populatiuon of the annexed areas left before the Soviets arrived. They were aware to wht Stalin had none to ethnic Finns in the Siviet Union. It is unclear why Stalin did not demand complete surrender. Pergaps it was German diplomacy. Perhaps Stalin decided to deal with easier targets and to deal with the Finns later. It just is not known. Eventually the Finns after Hitler launched Barbarossa would join the NAZIs as co-beligerants, but not allies (Junec 1941). Finlnd never joined the Axis. The wanted, however, the lnd back that Stalin had seized in the Winter War.

Denmark (1940)

Denmark has somehow managed ti remain neutral in World War I. The country was no so lucky World War II. The Germans invaded (April 1940). The Danes did not resist. They did not have a significnt militry. And located on the Gernman border, resistance wioukld hve been futile. Denmark in any case was not the German target. It was Norway. The German occupation continued throughout the War. Denmark is a small country, but oprivide valuable industrial and agricultural support to the German war economy. The German occupation was relatively correct compared to that of other countries, largely becuse of the Nordic ethnicity of the population.

Norway (1940)

Norway like Denmark and Sweden remained neutral in World War I. Norway was of some strategic importnce. But its primary importance was a rouute for Swedish iron ore. Hitler began the war with very few natyral resources. The ine major resiource Germsny had was coal. It had to import most other raw materials needed by German industry, including iron ore. Swedish iron ore was vital to the German war effort. And a major shipping route as through the Norwegin port of Narvik. Swedish Baltic ports were not iced over, although ice was a problem during the winter. But mines in northern Sweden shipped thriugh Narvik. Although located further north, North Sea ports do not ice over. The Norwegians believed that the Germns would not violate their neutrality. And in fact, even though Norway did not have a substantial army, the German lavk of a major nval force made Norway a tough nut to crack. Only Norway's lck of the most basic defense preprations made the German invasiuon possibkle (April 1940). The Norwegians oput up na fcr bnd were assisted by an Anglo-French Expeditionary Force. The Allies managed to hold on to Marvik for a time, but when the Germns struck in the West withdrew. The Germans would hold on to Norway fir the rest if the War. In fact, Hitler was so infactuted ith the cuntry, it was the most heaviy gisioned part of the NAZI empire, a serious strategic misccaulation. The NAZI noccupation was not as brutal as in other countries, bcause of the Nordic ethnicity of the population. The Norwegian people suffered greviously, howeve, becausethe ciuntry was not syfficent bin food and the Germns added to the oribklem by shipping food to the Reich.

The Netherlands (1940)

The Dutch were another country that managed to stay neutral in World War I. In fact there was consideravke symopthy fr the Germans. The Germans invaded neutral Belgium to the south in an effort to invade France, but bypassed the Netherlands. In World War II the Dutch were part of the German invasion plan Case Yellow (May 1940). The Dutch assumed that the Germns would again respect their neutrality. They made no effort to coordinate their defense with the Allies. And the Dutch defense collaopsed after only a few days. Queen Wilhemina and her Givernment managed to escape to Britain. The German occupation was relatively correct compared to their behavior in the East. Dutch farmers managed to keep the country basically fed during the occupation, but the failure if Operation Market Garden, left the Dutch north of the Rhine in German hands. Hitler decided to starve them as a result of their opro-Allied sympsthies--leading to the Hunger Winter (1944-45).

Belgium (1940)

Belgium like the Swiss, Swedes and Dutch pursued a policy of strict neutrality, hoing thsr this would guarantee their security. It did not. Only after the German World War I invasion did Belgium join the Allies. Most of the country was overun by the Germans, but the valiant performance of the Belgian Army slowed the Germans down, making the Miracle on the Marne population posible. After the War, Belgium remained part of the Allied coalition. This ciontunued even afrer Hirkler sized control of Germnny. King Leopold III succeeded his father, Albert I (1934). With the rise of the NAZIs in Germany, the new king faced an increasingly dangerous international situation. King Leopold was an strong advocate of a more independent foreign policy for Belgium. He advocated a policy of neutrality designed to keep Belgium from what increasingly seemed like another war. There was general support for this policy in Belgium. It is unclear why the Belgians realistically thought that why neutrality which had failed in 1914 would protect them against NAZI Germany. The governing factor here was probably a general abhorence of war. Neutrality was approved by the parliament. The country built a defensive line from Namur to Antwerp and strengthened key forts. But it meant that there was no coordinated degense when the Germans struck in the West (May 1940). This time the Belhian Army broke under the German onslaught. King Leopold surrendered the Army and jnlike Queen Willemina did not try to escape. His unilateral capitulation nearly resulted in the collapse of the Dunkirk pocket. The country was occupied by the Germans until liberatin by Allies (September 1944). The country would be the scene of the bitterly fought Battle if the Buklfe (Decemnber 1944-January 1945).

Luexmbourg (1940)

There was in reality no way tiny Luxembourg could prepare for war. Except for a small Volunteer Corps, Luxembourg had no army. This was due both the the aize of the principality and the provisions of the Treaty of London (1867). Grand Duchess Charlotte as a gesture, approved the creation of second 300-man company to expand the Volunteer Corps. It was organized (February 1939). Luxembourg could only count on it's neutrality. The people understood that this had not ptotected them from the Germans in World War I amd most Luxembourgers knew that it would not stop Hitler and the NAZIs. Despite cultural connections with Germany, most Luxembourgers sided with the Allies. And in 1939 the military inballance between the Germans and NAZIs was not fully understood. Most Luxembourgers found the NAZIs distasteful. Democracy and tolerance had become firmly engrained in Luxembourg culture and national life. As in other countries there were also NAZI admieres in Luxembourg. And because of the cultural ties with Germany, some Luxembourgers saw themselves as Germans. There were also Germans living in Luxembourg. They secretly organized the Stoßtrupp Lützelburg. The Luxembourg government with the outbreak of World War II adopted a careful non-beligerant status. Radio Luxembourg was ordered to stop broadcasting in case anything might be said to give the Germans an excuse for invading. The Government decided to errect border defenses. The defenses were built along both the German and shorter French border, but not the Belgan border which was also neutral. The Government did not expect a French invasion, but defenses were erected there so the Germans would not hve a pretext to complin. The defenses were built (spring 1940). They were called the Schusterline, named after the engineering firm. The instalations were massive concrete road blocks with steel doors. The theiry behind the instalations was to slow down an invading army to provide time for the guarantors of Luxembourg's neutrality (Britain and France) to react to the German invasion. There was no way the Luxembourgers could stop the Wehrmacht, but was apparently comforting to the population. The Germans at the onset of their Westwern offensive overran Luxembourg in hours. The second German occupation was very different. They annexed the Grand Duchy and pursued a thorough going Grmnization effort.

Romania (1940)

Romania joined the Allies in World War I. They were defeated by the Germans and firced to sign an onerous peace including the loss of territory. The Germans complained after the War about the Versailles Peace Treary. In fact the Germans did not object to onerous peace treaties, they just did not like the ionerous cinditions applied to them. After the War, with the Allied victory, the lost territory was restored in addition to areas formerly controlled by Hungary (Transsylvania, and a smnal area of Bulgaria as well as Tsarist border lands. With the rise of the Soviet Union to the East and the Germany NAZIS and Italian Fascists to the north and west, Romania was in a very difficult position. They relied on the Allies British and French for security. The French tried to orhanize the Little Entente, but the Allied capitulatiin at Munich (1938) meant that the Allies would not privude security. For a time Romania retreated into neutrality. After Hitler and Stalin launched the War by invading Poland (1939), Romania continued its neutrality policy. This quickly proved untenable. The Soviets seized northeastern Romania and the NAZIs transferred Translyvania back to Hungary. The Romanians decided their only hope was to side with Germany and join the Axis. Actually Hitler was disturbed by the Soviet action in Romania. The country was vital to the German war effort. The Ploesti oilfields were Germany's major source of natural petroleum. ThevSoviets as part of the NAZI-Societ Pact were supplying petroleum to Germany. After launching Barbarossa, this would mean Soiviet deliveries would cease. The Romanian Army would play an important role in Barbarossa.

Estonia (1940)

The Baltic Republics had been Tsarist provunces before World War I. The Germans ioccupied most of the Baltic area. After the War, each of the three republic gained their independence. Their security was guaranteed by the League of Nations. They were oriented toward the Allies, but there was no formal treaties. All three had only small armies, incapable of resisting either the Soviets or Germans. When Hitler and Stalin launched the War by invading Poland (September 1939), the Balts all declared their neutrality. The League of Nations essentially ceased to have any meaning after the onset of the War, meaning the Balts were on their own. The Allies could not help Poland, let alone the Balts further east. The Soviet Union after seizing eastern Poland began moving on Finland and the Balltics, demanding basing rights for the Red Army. The Finns chose to fight, the Balts had little choice but to acceed to Soviet demands. With the fall of France (June 1940), the Soviers simply annexed the Baltic Reoublics and launched a regign of terror organized by the NKVD. As a result when the Germans launched Barbarossa (June 1941), they were ar first received as liberators by the Balts. Unknown to the Balts, the German Generalplan Ost called for the eradication of the Baltic population.

Latvia (1940)

The Baltic Republics had been Tsarist provunces before World War I. The Germans ioccupied most of the Baltic area. After the War, each of the three republic gained their independence. Their security was guaranteed by the League of Nations. They were oriented toward the Allies, but there was no formal treaties. All three had only small armies, incapable of resisting either the Soviets or Germans. When Hitler and Stalin launched the War by invading Poland (September 1939), the Balts all declared their neutrality. The League of Nations essentially ceased to have any meaning after the onset of the War, meaning the Balts were on their own. The Allies could not help Poland, let alone the Balts further east. The Soviet Union after seizing eastern Poland began moving on Finland and the Balltics, demanding basing rights for the Red Army. The Finns chose to fight, the Balts had little choice but to acceed to Soviet demands. With the fall of France (June 1940), the Soviers simply annexed the Baltic Reoublics and launched a regign of terror organized by the NKVD. As a result when the Germans launched Barbarossa (June 1941), they were at first received as liberators by the Balts. Unknown to the Balts, the German Generalplan Ost called fir the readication of the Baltic population. Unknown to the Balts, the German Generalplan Ost called for the eradication of the Baltic population.

Lithuania (1940)

The Baltic Republics had been Tsarist provunces before World War I. The Germans ioccupied most of the Baltic area. After the War, each of the three republic gained their independence. Their security was guaranteed by the League of Nations. They were oriented toward the Allies, but there was no formal treaties. All three had only small armies, incapable of resisting either the Soviets or Germans. Lithunania was the first Baltic Republic touched by the War. The Germans along with occupying what remained of Czechioslovalia, seized Memel. It had been a German city before World War (March 1939). THe League of Nations protested. This feeble response was essentially the last major action of the League. When Hitler and Stalin launched the War by invading Poland (September 1939), the Balts all declared their neutrality. The League of Nations essentially ceased to have any meaning after the onset of the War, meaning the Balts were on their own. The Allies could not help Poland, let alone the Balts further east. The Soviet Union after seizing eastern Poland began moving on Finland and the Balltics, demanding basing rights for the Red Army. The Finns chose to fight, the Balts had little choice but to acceed to Soviet demands. With the fall of France (June 1940), the Soviers simply annexed the Baltic Reoublics and launched a regign of terror organized by the NKVD. As a result when the Germans launched Barbarossa (June 1941), they were at first received as liberators by the Balts. Unknown to the Balts, the German Generalplan Ost called for the eradication of the Baltic population.

Greece (1940/41)

Greece had a long-term relationship to the British dating back to the war of independence with the Ottomans (1820s). It had joined the Allies in Workd War I. Rejecting British advive after the War, they pursued a war with the Turks and as a result, the large Greek population in western Anatolia was expelled (1920-21). At the time of World War II, Greece had a Fascist Governmnt, but continued its orienation toward Britain. The Greeks wanted, however, no part of another war and declared neutrality. Mussolini had other ideas. He had seized Albania befire the War. And from Albania launched an invasion of Greece (October 1940). This ended Greek neutrality. Mussolini acted without cionsulting with Hitler, disrupting German diplomatic effirts to secure the southern flank of the planned Barbarossa invasion without dimininishing the Barbarossa force. The Italian invssion was a disaster. The Italian Army already engaged in the Western Desert, was unprepared. And Mussolini ordered them to advance into a mounaneous area at the inset of winter. The Greeks not only held, but drove the Italians back into Albania. Eventually Hitler had to intervene, invading Yugoslavia and Greece (April 1941). A British expeditionary foirce hastily organized was quicjky defeated and forced to evacuate. The German victory canme, hiowever, at consudrabke cost--delaying Barbarossa. The Germans also had to contend with a guerrila war in Greece and Yugoslavia. The Greeks paid a terrible price. Greece was not self suffucent in food oproduction and a terribkle famine resulted.

Yugoslavia (1941)









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Created: 3:39 AM 4/18/2016
Last updated: 6:44 AM 11/24/2018