The Rhineland Flashcards
Why did Hitler want to re-occupy the Rhineland?
It borders France and the river Rhine makes a natural defence against invasion .
He wanted to gain Lebensraum and to do so needed to start defending he borders in the west.
What happened in the Rhineland?
In 1935 France and the USSR signed the France-soviet pact, an agreement to support each other if they were ever attacked by Germany.
Hitler used this pact to claim he was under threat.
On the 7th march 1936 Hitler marched 22,000 soldiers into the Rhineland.
The troops were greeted by civilians who gave them flowers.
Hitler knew his army was still small and instructed his generals to retreat if they met any resistance.
Why didn’t Britain react?
Many felt they should have the right to defend their own borders and he was simply reclaiming what was rightfully his.
British troops were busy dealing in Abyssinia.
The depression hit them hard so they could afford to get involved in foreign affairs.
Why didn’t France react?
Politicians were busy fighting a general election.
Much of the french army had been moved to Tunisia in case intervention in Abyssinia was needed.
French generals believed Hitler’s army was more powerful than it was and the french were not prepared to risk their men.
