Rearmament and the Saar Plebiscite Flashcards
What was one of the first things that Hitler did when he came into power?
- Increase G’s armed forces
- Thousands of unemployed workers were drafted into the army
- Helped to reduce unemployment
Did German people support rearmament?
Yes, and Hitler knew that
Why did Hitler want to rearm Germany?
- To deliver his promise to make Germany great again
- To challenge the terms of the Treaty of Versailles
- Helped to reduce unemployment (one of G’s biggest problems), boost the economy
How did Hitler handle rearmament?
- Cleverly as he knew it would cause alarm in other countries
- Began in secret at first
- Made a great public display of his desire to not rearm Germany - that he was only doing it because other countries refused to disarm
- Then he followed Japan and removed G from the LON
What rally did Hitler hold in 1935?
An open, massive military rally celebrating the German armed forces.
When did Hitler reintroduce conscription to the army?
1936
Did Hitler get away with rearmament, even though this was breaking the terms of the TOV?
Yes
Didi rearmament boost Nazi support?
Yes
Did Britain have some sympathy with Germany on the topic of rearmament?
- Yes
- Britain believed the limits put on Germany’s armed forces were too tight
- The permitted forces weren’t enough to defend G from attack
- B also thought that a strong Germany would be a good buffer against communism
How did Britain help to dismantle the TOV?
- They signed a naval agreement with Hitler in 1935, allowing Germany to increase its navy to up to 35% of the size of the British navy
- The French were angry with Britain about this, but there was little they could do
Statistics about how Hitler increased the armed forces in Germany
- Warships - 30 (1932), 95 (1939)
- Aircraft - 36 (1932), 8,250 (1939)
- Soldiers - 100,000 (1932), 950,000 (1939)
Where was the Saar?
In Germany
Who ruled the Saar?
The Saar had been run by the League of Nations since 1919.
What is a plebiscite?
A vote
What happened in the 1935 plebiscite?
- The LON held the promised plebiscite for people to vote on whether their region should return to German rule (people in the Saar were voting)
- Hitler was initially wary as many of his opponents had fled to the Saar
- The League was determined for this vote to take place and Hitler obeyed because of the pressure
- So, it seemed the League was being firm and decisive with Hitler
