German Expansion Flashcards
How did Churchill see the breaking of the treaty of Versailles ?
What was his priority
With dismay
Both the reintroduction of conscription in 35 and exceeding aircraft limits
Defence against the perceived German threat
How was Churchills argument devalued and made less creditable ?
- Hitlers clever indifference to regaining German African and pacific colonies lost after the First World War
- Hitlers demands for European lands lost was not seen as directly threatening for Germany to demand German speaking lands
- the restoration of lands and end of restitutions placed by Versailles not seen as a threat by Britian
Was there any interest of Britian against Germany ?
Yes
Not to see one power dominate Europe but engagin the public in matters of balancing power was difficult
How was Britian somewhat deceived by Germany in the 1930s?
- policies of extermination of Jewish people not yet active
- had not put itself outside normal relations to Britian
- Olympic Games Berlin 1936 sign of Germany being a normal European country despite coming soon after the remilitriastion of the Rhineland
What was a distraction for Britian ?
The abdication crisis which distracted Britian until March 1938 with the annexation of Austria
- directly against treaty of Versailles but appeared popular for both countries
- limited reaction from the public however France did protest
What was the greater problem ?
Hitlers want for the Sudetenland a part of Czechoslovakia
- Hitler made many provocative speeches
- it had not been part of the Reich in 1871
However Britian was not obliged to act but if France supported Czech there would be a European war
How did Chamberlain react to Hitlers want for the Sudetenland?
- pressured concessions and Chamberlain took the bold decision to fly and see Hitler negotiating an agreement
- however Britain was not directly involved and it required Czechoslovakia there so this was dubious
- Chamberlain did not involve the international community instead acting alone
- Hitler repudiated the agreement and insisted on full union of German speaking areas with Germany
What did Chamberlain continue to Persue?
- Personal diplomacy asking Hitler to sign a pact guaranteeing future consultation (Munich agreement)
- He regarded this as diplomatic triumph
- He claimed that he had gained ‘peace for our time’
- public opinion thought highly and many commended his efforts with songs composed in his honour
How did Churchill react?
Described Chamberlains efforts as a ‘defeat without war’
In the House of Commons on the Munich agreement
How did Hitler see chamberlains efforts ?
A victory and Britain as weak
There was a considerable danger of a German domination of Europe
Did rearmament accelerate after the Munich agreement ?
Yes and a growing number of people lost faith with negotiate with Hitler
Churchill was now seen as a man of prestige and who stood firm against Hitler
