Remilitarisation of the Rhineland + The Anschluss Flashcards
When did Hitler march German troops into the Rhineland?
March 1936.
Why was marching German troops into the Rhineland a risky thing to do? 2 reasons.
- Direct breach of the Treaty of Versailles.
- German troops were in no position to oppose French troops should the French decide to attack.
Hitler’s troops were told to do what if the French attacked them?
They were under strict orders to retreat immediately.
When did the Anschluss with Austria take place?
March 1938.
What was the name of the Austrian Chancellor that Hitler bullied?
Schusnigg.
What did Hitler bully the Austrian Chancellor into doing?
Hitler bullied Schussnig into appointing Seyss-Inquart, a Nazi, as the Austrian Minister of the Interior.
What position was Seyss-Inquart given?
Austrian Minister of the Interior.
Schusnigg ordered a plebiscite. What would this plebiscite decide?
It would decide whether Germany would be united with Austria.
Hitler feared that the result of the plebiscite would be a ‘no’. What did he do to prevent this from happening?
Hitler marched German troops to the Austrian border and announced that unless Schussnig resigned in favour of Seyss-Inquart, Hitler would invade.
After Seyss-Inquart was forcefully appointed as Austrian Chancellor, what did he do?
He invited German troops into Vienna.
On which day was the Anschluss completed?
March 12th, 1938.
The Nazis organised their own vote for the Anschluss, what was the result of this vote?
Of course, 99% of those who voted were in favour of the Anschluss.
As a result of the rigged Nazi vote, what did Austria become to Germany?
It became a province of the new German Empire (Reich).
Did the British and French Governments do anything about the Anschluss?
Despite the Anschluss being another clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, the spineless sack of shit leaders of Britain and France took NO action against Germany.
Summarise the steps of the Anschluss.
1) Hitler bullied Schussnig, the Austrian Chancellor, into appointing Seyss-Inquart as the Austrian Minister of the interior.
2) Schusnigg ordered a plebiscite to be held which would determine whether the Anschluss would go ahead.
3) Hitler, fearing a no, marched his troops to the border of Austria and forced Schussnig to resign. Seyss-Inquart took his place.
4) March 12th, 1938, Hitler marched his troops into Vienna. Anschluss complete.
