Escalation of tension Flashcards
Why did Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland?
-The Treaty of Versailles meant Germany had to demilitarise the area of the Rhineland.
-Hitler wanted to take Lebensraum in east Europe, but to do this he would have to invade other countries.
-He knew France and Britain were likely to declare war if he did this, so he had to protect his western borders by remilitarising the Rhineland.
What big risk did Hitler face?
German financial ministers warned Hitler that if his plan failed he would have to pay huge fines, which Germany cannot afford.
What happened in 1935, regarding the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
-The Franco-Soviet pact was signed- a deal between France and the USSR which each agreed to assist the other if attacked.
-As a result, Hitler claimed he was under attack from France in the west and USSR in the east.
What happened in 7th March 1936, regarding the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
-Hitler’s troops entered the Rhineland, many rode on bicycles and there was no air support.
How did the civilians react to Hitler’s troops entering the Rhineland?
-Civilians in the Rhineland greeted the troops with flowers.
Why didn’t Britain stop Hitler when Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland?
-Depression at home caused problems for England.
-Many people believed that Hitler had the right to defend his own borders and that this area was rightfully his.
Why didn’t France stop Hitler when Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland?
-Politicians were distracted as they were fighting a general election.
-Much of the French army was in Tunisia in case they needed to intervene with the Abyssinian crisis.
-Many believed that the German army entering the Rhineland was bigger than it was.
Why was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland important?
-Britain and France started rearming; war was getting closer.
-Hitler gained confidence that he could get away with violating Treaty of Versailles.
-Hitler showed that he was powerful, he signed the Rome-Berlin Axis with Mussolini.
How did Austria react to Anschluss?
-99 percent of people voted in favour of Anschluss.
-However, polling stations were heavily policed by Nazi ‘stromtroopers’, and the ‘yes’ box was much larger than the ‘no’ box.
How did Britain react to Anschluss?
-Due to some of them thinking that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh, they believed that Hitler should be allowed to unite the two.
How did France react to Anschluss?
-Two days before Hitler’s invasion, the whole government has resigned.
-France was in no position to get involved.
How did Germany react to Anschluss?
-Hitler was able to use it as a great propaganda victory.
-Hitler was achieving his foreign policy, aims of Volksdeutsche, and creating a greater Germany.
How did Czechoslovakia react to Anschluss?
-The Czech people feared that they were the next target for Lebensraum to be achieved.
-Britain and France agreed that they would protect Czechoslovakia if Hitler did invade.
What were the causes of the Sudeten Crisis?
-Happened in 1938
-The Sudetenland was part of Czechoslovakia on the German border.
-Hitler planned to take Lebensraum.
-There were natural resources and factories that Hitler could utilise in his war effort.
-By invading Czechoslovakia, it would be another step towards destroying the Treaty of Versailles.
-20 percent of Sudeten population was German. May 1938, Hitler claimed that they were being persecuted and used this as an excuse to attack.
What happened on the 15th September 1938? involving appeasement
-Chamberlain meets Hitler.
-He wanted to Appease Hitler to prevent war, so agreed to allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland, as long as his actions were peaceful.
-On 22nd September, Hitler changed his demands when meeting Chamberlain again at Bad Godsberg: Hungary and Poland must also be given Czech land.
