Rearmament and the Saar Plebiscite

Question 1

What was one of the first things that Hitler did when he came into power?

Answer 1

• Increase G’s armed forces
• Thousands of unemployed workers were drafted into the army
• Helped to reduce unemployment

Question 2

Did German people support rearmament?

Answer 2

Yes, and Hitler knew that

Question 3

Why did Hitler want to rearm Germany?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

How did Hitler handle rearmament?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What rally did Hitler hold in 1935?

Answer 5

An open, massive military rally celebrating the German armed forces.

Question 6

When did Hitler reintroduce conscription to the army?

Answer 6

1936

Question 7

Did Hitler get away with rearmament, even though this was breaking the terms of the TOV?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Didi rearmament boost Nazi support?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

Did Britain have some sympathy with Germany on the topic of rearmament?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

How did Britain help to dismantle the TOV?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Statistics about how Hitler increased the armed forces in Germany

Answer 11

• Warships - 30 (1932), 95 (1939)
• Aircraft - 36 (1932), 8,250 (1939)
• Soldiers - 100,000 (1932), 950,000 (1939)

Question 12

Where was the Saar?

Answer 12

In Germany

Question 13

Who ruled the Saar?

Answer 13

The Saar had been run by the League of Nations since 1919.

Question 14

What is a plebiscite?

Answer 14

A vote

Question 15

What happened in the 1935 plebiscite?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Who won the Saar plebiscite?

Answer 16

• Hitler won by a massive majority
• 90% of people in the Saar voted to return to German rule
• This was because Goebbels mounted a massive campaign to persuade the people of the Saar to vote for the Reich, using propaganda
• Real morale booster for Hitler