Map Work/The War Flashcards
Rhineland/Saar
THE RHINELAND
-In March 1936 Germany walked into the neutral Rhineland and re-militarized it.
-This was strictly against the Treaty of Versailles.
-France was going through a political crisis and had no ability to fight Germany over the Rhineland
-Britain felt that Germany was simply re taking its own land
-For Hitler this was a huge gamble because Germany was in no way prepared for war yet. He called this the most nervous 48 hours of his life.
Why Take the Rhineland?
Allowed Germany to Remilitarize the Western Front and counter France’s Maginot Line.
Austria
On March 12, 1938 the German Army crossed the border into Austria in what would be called the
“Anschluss” (Link Up). This move would make Austria part of Germany and would wipe the name of Austria off the map.
There had been political pressure on the Austrian leader Kurt Schuschnigg for some time to incorporate Austria into Germany. A referendum had been planned for March 12 but on the 11th pro German and Pro Nazi groups took over the government and declared the Anschluss.
Austria was betrayed by Arthur Seyss-Inquart who worked along with Hitler to turn Austria into a German state.
Why take Austria?
Was meant as a move to unite the Germanic peoples
SUDETENLAND
Germany takes over the Sudetenland in October 1938
After the annexation of Austria, Hitler started to speak of the plight of ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland. 23% of the population of the Sudetenland was ethnically German and Hitler claimed that they were being abused.
The S.S. started up their “softening up” procedures in the Sudetenland
On September 30th British P.M. Neville Chamberlain and French President Daladier signed the Munich Agreement with Hitler that turned over the Sudetenland to Germany. The Czechoslovakian government was not invited to the meeting
Why take the Sudetenland?
The Czechs had the largest and most well trained army in Europe.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
On the morning of March 15, 1939 Nazi ground forces began their push into Czechoslovakia.
Czechoslovakia was taken and divided. Slovakia separated and joined the Germans while the Czech state was administered by Berlin.
Chamberlain now knew that there could be “No peace in our time”.
Britain and France declared that if Hitler took any more land in Europe there would be war.
Why Take Czechoslovakia?
Allowed Germany to gain deeper access into Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania) and ultimately closer to the Soviet Union.
POLAND
On September 1st 1939 The German military launched an all out attack on Poland. This attack presented the new military tactic of Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) to the world.
The German Army (Heer) launched massive high speed pincer attacks on the Polish troops supported by Tank (Panzer) units and bombing from the Air Force (Luftwaffe). This attack was based on high speed, dive bombers and the ability to isolate and cut off the Polish army into successively smaller groups.
Why take Poland?
Poland had many natural resources (Coal, Lime etc) which Hitler wanted.
DENMARK and NORWAY
On April 9, 1940 the German army moved in to Denmark and Norway
Hitler stated that he was taking Denmark to “save” them from an Invasion by England and France.
Why take Denmark and Norway?
Would allow Hitler to control shipping to the Soviet Union through the Baltic Sea.
Prevented the Allies from opening up a Northern Front on Germany.
Netherlands & Belgium
The attack on May 10th 1940 saw the Germans utilize massive paratrooper drops to over-run Dutch airfields and defences. At the same time they also attacked Belgium.
A devastating attack on Rotterdam and the threat of the bombing of other major Dutch cities forced the Dutch to accept the terms of the German surrender on May 14th.
Why take the Netherlands and Belgium?
Gave Germany access to the North Sea and air coverage over Great Britain
FRANCE
France was invaded through Belgium on May 10, 1940.
The massive German attack cut off the B.E.F in the Ardennes and out flanked the Maginot line.
(See Appendix 5 for a photo of the Maginot line)
Within days the Germans were in Paris.
The German pincer movements pushed the Allied troops towards the English channel, finally pinning them on the beaches of Dunkirk.
Why Take France?
Allowed Germany to reinforce the western front and build “Fortress Europe”, they could now turn their attention fully towards the East.
Removes the largest western threat to German expansion.
Punished France for the Treaty of Versailles.
