Rearmament Flashcards
What were Hitler’s first steps in terms of rearmament?
One of his first steps was to increase the armed forces. Thousands unemployed people were drafted into the army which helped reduce the unemployment rate of Germany - which was a big problem in Germany at the time. It helped him to deliver his promise on trying to make Germany great again and directly challenge the ToV
Why did rearmament begin secretly?
Hitler near that his idea of rearming Germany was popular among the German citizens. But he knew that it would not go well with other countries. At first rearmament began secretly, he then made a public display about not wanting to rearm Germany - he only did this because other countries were refusing to disarm. Japan then left the league of nations and Germany followed
When did Hitler publicly declare rearmament?
1935 - Hitler staged a massive military rally celebrating the German armed forces
When was conscription introduced?
1935 - hitler introduced conscription - this breaking the terms of the ToV
How did the army size increase?
- The size of the German army was increased from 100,00 men to 1,400,000 by 1939. Men under 25 had to carry out at least 2 years of military service
What was the world disarmament conference?
Meeting in 1932, the conference was already floundering before Hitler came to power, because Germany demanded gleichberechtigung (“equality of armaments”). Hitler had no intention of having anything to do with disarmament. In October 1933 Hitler withdrew from the Conference and the League, blaming the French.
What was the 1935 rearmament rally?
German rearmament had been going on secretly since 1933, but in 1935 Hitler held a huge ‘Freedom to Rearm’ military rally.
When did Hitler reintroduce conscription?
March 1935
How did the German air force grow?
Hitler began to build the Luftwaffe (German air force) and number of airplanes grew 200-fold from 36 to 8250 between 1933-9.
What countries were involved in the Anglo-German Naval Agreement?
Germany and Britain
When was the agreement agreed?
18 June 1935
Was the League of Nations involved in the agreement?
NO - this was a bilateral arrangement, outside the LoN. In addition, this directly went against the LoN aim of disarmament as it allowed German naval expansion.
What were the key terms of the agreement?
- It was bilateral (just between two parties), so it was outside the LoN
- Specified that the German navy could expand up to a maximum size of 35% of the British navy
-It allowed Germany to have 45% of the number of British submarines. - It guaranteed British naval supremacy.
What were the German reasons for the Anglo-German naval agreement?
- Germany: Wanted to expand the navy beyond the ToV restrictions
- Germany: It was helpful for them to have British backing (not just acting alone, a major power in support).
What were Britain’s reasons for the Anglo-German naval agreement?
- Britain: sought to protect its naval supremacy: even though the German navy would expand the British navy would still be much larger if the agreement was abided by.
- Britain: the LoN had failed in stopping rearmament, so Britain needed to go outside the LoN
- Britain: a stronger Germany would be a useful buffer against France/Italy/Communism
- Britain could potentially trade with Germany to help their expansion, boosting British economic interests
What were both Germany and Britain’s reasons for the naval agreement?
- Both: it improved Anglo-German relations.
- Both: it went some way to remedy the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
What was the impact of German rearmament?
Rearmament was a great success for Hitler:
1) Hitler had guessed correctly: no country questioned his breach of the Treaty of Versailles; other countries backed down.
2) Hitler’s prestige grew internationally.
3) Rearmament made him very popular in Germany.
4) Rearmament (to an extent) reduced unemployment in Germany.
5) Rearmament made Germany stronger militarily.
6) From a foreign policy point of view, Hitler had defied the Treaty of Versailles.
7) Britain and France move towards Italy, entering into the Stresa Front in 1935.
8) The action prompted France and USSR then USSR and Czechoslovakia to enter into mutual assistance pacts.
