Appeasement Events

Question 1

Remilitarization of Rhineland (1936)

Answer 1

Hitler took a gamble, ordered German army to retreat at the first sign of resistance (not fully ready to commit to aggression) but nothing happened—> Hitler’s
confidence increased.

Question 2

Anschluss with Austria (1938)

Answer 2

Hitler no longer faced opposition— Italy was an ally, Britain were sympathetic and felt that the TOV was not right to separate the two countries. Austrian Chancellor called for a referendum, Hitler sent troops in, referendum was overwhelmingly in favour of anschluss—> TOV violated, tension in Europe increased.

Question 3

Sudetenland Crisis (1938)

Answer 3

Hitler demanded the Sudetenland because 3(.5?)million Germans lived in it (excuse: self­determination)

Czechoslovakian leader sought Britain and France’s help, and France was bound by a treaty obligation to defend Czechoslovakia if it were attacked by Germany, though France was reluctant to do so. Britain agreed to support the French.

Hitler declared that he would fight for the Sudetenland→ tensions increased greatly, Britain and France met with Hitler hoping to avoid war. This led to the
Munich Agreement (1938): Britain and France agreed to give Hitler all of the Sudetenland if he promised not to demand any more territory.

USSR and Czechoslovakia were not invited to the conference→ showed that Britain + France didn’t really want to work with the Russians, put their
self-­interests first.

BUT in 1939 Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia→ showed that he could not be trusted and wanted to use aggression to achieve his aims→ tension
increased, countries prepared for war.

Question 4

Poland (1939)

Answer 4

Chamberlain announced that Britain and France would guarantee Poland’s independence,
but Hitler thought that his alliance with Russia + their previous reluctance to do anything would
stop them from taking action but
➢ Hitler invaded Poland
➢ Britain and France declared war on Germany
➢ → WAR!!!