Remilitarisation of the Rhineland Flashcards
Where was the Rhineland?
- The Rhineland was a 50km stretch of territory on the French-German border
- It is an industrial region of Germany
What happened to it under the Treaty of Versailles?
- Under the Treaty of Versailles, the Rhineland was to remain in German possession, but under the condition of it remaining as a demilitarized zone, in order to protect France and Belgium from invasion.
- Article 42 of Versailles Treaty stated:
“Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications on the left bank of the Rhine…”
This term was designed to protect France from German attack and had been re-confirmed in the 1925 Locarno Treaty.
Was this what Clemenceau wanted?
Clemenceau wanted an independent Rhineland, which would weaken Germany, establish a buffer zone between the two countries, and make German armament of the Rhineland impossible.
When did Hitler become chancellor?
30th January 1933
When did Hitler become Fuhrer?
In 1934 Hitler declared himself Führer, the leader of Germany.
Timeline of events in the Rhineland
1) 14th January 1935: British Cabinet declared that the Rhineland was not “a vital British interest”.
2) 15th January 1936: French military attaché in Berlin: “I have no doubts that the demilitarised zone will be reoccupied, it is the date that is uncertain.”
3) 12 February 1936: Hitler authorised the ‘Operation Winter Exercise’ to remilitarise the Rhineland
4) 13 February 1936: The British offered a ‘General Settlement’ to allow German remilitarisation in return for a promise not to bomb Britain. Hitler ignore them
5) February 27th 1936: Franco-Soviet Mutual Assistance Pact ratified & passed by the French parliament. [Angered Britain. Germany feared encirclement.]
6) 7th March 1936: 19 German battalions crossed the Rhine; fearing war with France, Hitler had given them orders to retreat if opposed. It was on a weekend, which contributed to the delayed response from Britain and France. And Hitler declared the “restoration of German sovereignty (political control) in the demilitarised zone”.
Why did Hitler Remilitarise the Rhineland?
- He wanted equality for Germany - he claimed that it was unfair that a part of Germany had to be demilitarised
- He opposed the Treaty of Versailles and wanted to oppose it
- Hitler didn’t want to be vulnerable to an attack from France
- When Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland it showed the growing power and strength that Germany possessed
- Hitler wanted public support from the German people and hoped that this would help boost his popularity
- Distraction: It was also useful because – as the economic crisis in Germany continued – Hitler needed a foreign policy success to take people’s minds off problems at home.
- EXCUSE used by Hitler = Franco-Soviet Treaty of March 1936, Hitler argued it threatened Germany’s security.
- OPPORTUNITY for Hitler: the Abyssinian Crisis, 1935–36, which was distracting the League, Britain & France.
How did Britain respond to the remilitarisation?
Britain did not act, because:
- Sympathy towards Germany at the time
- British forces were in the Mediterranean due to Abyssinia Crisis
- Appeasement Policy
- Although British Politicians disapproved of it, they did not think it merited war
How did France respond to the remilitarisation?
France did not act because:
- France was between govts. at this time (Hoare-Laval pact has impacted public faith in the current govt.)
- French military forces had previously been moved from the Rhine to the Alps and Tunisia because of the political tension with Italy. As such, their forces near the Rhineland were weakened.
- French Generals thought the German occupying forces were much larger than they actually were
- Would only attack with Britain’s aid, without it, they were unwilling to act
How did the League of Nations respond to the remilitarisation?
The League was not in a position to act, because:
- The Abyssinian Crisis was ongoing, meaning that the League was occupied
- The reputation of the League was damaged, meaning that many of the members had lost trust in the League, and were unwilling to involve trade sanctions etc.
- Disarmament had been unsuccessful, and many of the other countries, some in the League, had begun rearming, punishing Germany for the same thing seemed unfair
Why Britain did not respond militarily or with significant penalties to Germany’s actions?
- Appeasement Policy – Britain believed in avoiding war hoping Hitler would be satisfied and stop expanding.
- World War I – The devastation of WWI made Britain reluctant to engage in another large-scale conflict. Many people and politicians wanted to avoid war at all costs.
- Military Weakness – Britain’s military was not fully prepared for war in the 1930s. The government prioritized rearmament but needed more time to strengthen its forces.
- Economic Problems – The Great Depression had weakened Britain’s economy, making it difficult to justify military action or big sanctions against Germany.
- Lack of Public Support – Many British citizens did not see Germany as a direct threat and were unwilling to support military intervention.
- Treaty of Versailles – Some British politicians thought Germany’s demands were reasonable and that the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh, so they did not see a need for strong sanction.
What was the timeline of events before the remilitarisation of the Rhineland?
1925: The freely negotiated Locarno Pact is agreed: Germany accepted Western borders established in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.
February 1934: The UK Defence Review Committee identified Germany as “the ultimate potential enemy”.
January 1935 - Saar plebiscite (referendum) = Saar is returned to Germany
9th March 1935: Goring reveals the existence of the German air force, in breach of the terms of Versailles.
16th March 1935: Hitler revealed the intention to reintroduce conscription, also contrary to Versailles..
14th April 1935: The Stresa Front was formed to put pressure on Germany [under pressure by Italian action in Abyssinia]
18th June 1935: The Anglo-German Naval Agreement [puts pressure on the unity of the Stresa Front]
How did Hitler manage to successfully remilitarise the Rhineland?
- Hitler, against the advice of his military chiefs ordered a force of over 20,000 troops, including military police to remilitarise the Rhineland.
- Claimed to be provoked by the Franco-Soviet Pact - France had signed a treaty agreeing to protect each other if they were attacked by Germany.
- Knew the British and French were heavily involved with Abyssinian dispute so the League and Locarno signatories would be unlikely to act upon the move.
- Took place on a Saturday. Many British MPs and French Deputies were at home. By Monday morning it would be difficult to reverse.
- Believed the British had some sympathy with the idea of remilitarising the region and that it would be placated by promises to discuss rejoining the League of Nations and negotiating new demilitarised zones.
What did Hitler and the nazis gain from the remilitarisation?
- Hitler and the Nazis gained prestige.
- The Western border was secured. It could now be fortified.
- Hitler personally had taken a gamble against advice from his Generals and he had been correct.
- His personal standing was enhanced in Germany.
- “The 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had then marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance.”
Why did the British Government ‘appease’ Germany?
- Many in the British Government believed that the action of the Nazis was reasonable. Hitler had been unnecessarily provoked by French. The Times noted “a chance to rebuild” relations with Hitler and Germany.
- Many in the British Government believed that Hitler could be trusted. - They were placated by Nazi plans to renegotiate peace pacts. Britain was militarily unprepared:
- In 1936,Chamberlain as Chancellor of the Exchequer gave the RAF £59 million instead of £97 million asked for. ‘Cheap’ fighters were built instead of bombers.
- British commitments were too widespread to risk war.
- There was a feeling that the leaders and public of Empire nations would not support war.
- The British felt that they had no reliable allies. The aim of the British was to prevent French retaliation.
- Duff Cooper, Secretary of State for War [Nov 1935 to May 1937] commented on British public opinion to the German Ambassador: “British people…would not resort to arms…”
- It is said that a taxi driver commented to Anthony Eden, Foreign Secretary from 1935 to 1938: “I suppose Jerry can do what he likes in his own backyard…” [Jerry = slang for Germany/Germans]
- The League of Nations was viewed as weak: The League of Nations was concerned with the situation in Abyssinia where the Italians were waging an aggressive war.
- Germany had NOT gone to war. Germany was no longer in the League of Nations so not bound by its covenant.
- David Lloyd George, former British Prime Minister commented on the fear of communism, saying in 1934 that Britain should: “…look to Germany as a bulwark against Communism.”
- Stanley Baldwin, British Prime Minister commented on the weak British economy: “England is not in a state to go to war” And of the fear of war, Baldwin said: “I do not have the right to commit England…” and military action would “…be out of proportion to what Germany had done”.
