Chapter 8 Flashcards
What was not allowed in the Rhineland and why
troops, weapons or fortifications as it was demilitarised under the Treaty of Versailles
Why did Hitler feel he had to remilitarise the Rhineland
in order to achieve Lebensraum in the east he would have to invade other countries which would likely get a response from countries like Britain and France so he needed to defend his borders in the west
Why did Hitler target the Sudetenland
- Czechoslovakia had been set up under the Treaty of Versailles, which Hitler had promised to overturn. He saw invading the Sudetenland as the first step in destroying Czechoslovakia and overturning the Treaty
- The Sudetenland was home to forts, railways and industries, which could all be used as part of Hitler’s war effort in years to come (many factories producing glass and coal, Skoda factory which could build tanks and weapons)
- The Sudetenland was home to around 3 million German speaking people. As a minority group they claimed that they were persecuted by the Czechs and used this as an excuse to start riots
- The Sudetenland was a good base from which to launch an attack on Czechoslovakia. It jutted into Germany which surrounded it on three sides and would be a good strategic move
When and where did Neville Chamberlain fly to meet Hitler
15th September 1938
flew to Hitler’s holiday home in the German mountains
What did Hitler say to Neville Chamberlain about resolving the crisis
he would have to be allowed the Sudetenland
What was Chamberlain’s reaction to Hitler demanding the Sudetenland
he agreed as he was desperate to avoid war and agreed as long as the actions were peaceful. Chamberlain wanted to use appeasement. He forced the Czechs to agree to Hitler’s terms
What is appeasement
the desire to avoid war by making concessions to others
When did Chamberlain return to Germany for the second time when Hitler changed his demands
22nd September 1938
What did Hitler change his demands to
he now wanted the Sudetenland to be handed over by 1st October and instead insisted that Hungary and Poland should also receive Czech land
What were Hitler’s finalised demands
- the Czechoslovakian army must leave the Sudetenland and the area was to be handed to Hitler
- Hungary and Poland also wanted to claim land on their borders with Czechoslovakia which Hitler demanded was met
- Hitler promised peace in Europe in return for the Sudetenland
How did other countries react to Hitler’s demands
- Chamberlain and Daladier the French president were very happy to attend the conference in Munich and to accept Hitler’s demands as it looked like they had prevented war and that Czechoslovakia’s borders were safe as Hitler promised that he would respect them meaning Britain and France would have also kept their promise to Czechoslovakia
When did Hitler march his troops into the Sudetenland
10th October 1938
