The Sudeten Crisis

Question 1

Give 4 reasons why Hitler targeted the Sudetenland:

Answer 1

-Czechoslovakia had been set up under the Treaty of Versailles which Hitler promised to overturn
-It was home to forts, railways and industries which could be used as part of Hitler’s war effort in the future
-It was home to German-speaking people, and as a minority they claimed they had been persecuted by the Czechs and used this as an excuse to start riots. Hitler used this an excuse to step in and ‘save’ them
-It was a good base from which to launch an attack on Czechoslovakia

Question 2

How many German-speaking people was the Sudetenland home to?

Answer 2

Around 3 million, which was around 20% of the population.

Question 3

Give two factories in the Sudetenland and their possible uses for Hitler:

Answer 3

-Many factories producing glass and lignite (a type of coal)
-The Skoda factory, which could be used to build tanks and other weapons

Question 4

Why did Hitler think the Sudetenland would be a good place to launch an attack on Czechoslovakia from?

Answer 4

Germany surrounded it on 3 sides.

Question 5

What did Nazis in the Sudetenland do to weaken the government?

Answer 5

In May 1938 Hitler made it clear he would fight for the region, claiming that German-speaking people were being treated badly by the Czechs and needed protection.

Question 6

What other event had terrified Europe that their civilians would become the target of Hitler’s Luftwaffe?

Answer 6

The devastating bombing campaigns for the Spanish Civil War.

Question 7

Why had Britain and France struggled so hard to find a way to stop Hitler invading the Sudetenland?

Answer 7

They knew that if he invaded it, Britain and France could be obliged to protect Czechoslovakia and declare war.

Question 8

When did the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, meet Hitler?

Answer 8

15 September 1938.

Question 9

What did Hitler tell Chamberlain when they met?

How did Chamberlain respond?

Answer 9

That the crisis could only be resolved if he was allowed the Sudetenland. Chamberlain agreed, so long as all actions were peaceful.

Question 10

What were Chamberlain’s actions known as?

Answer 10

‘Appeasement’.

Question 11

When did Chamberlain meet Hitler for a second time?

Answer 11

On 22 September 1938.

Question 12

What had Hitler done and wanted in his second meeting with Chamberlain?

Answer 12

Hitler had changed his demands. He now wanted the Sudetenland to be handed over by 1 October and insisted that Hungary and Poland should also receive Czech land.

Question 13

When was the Munich Conference?

Answer 13

29 September 1938,

Question 14

What was the Munich Conference?

Answer 14

The leaders of Germany, Britain, France and Italy met to discuss Czechoslovakia’s borders, in the hope that this would stop imminent conflict. The 4 great powers signed an agreement at this conference.

Question 15

What 3 things did Hitler demand at the Munich Conference?

Answer 15

-The Czechoslovakian army must leave the Sudetenland and the area be handed over to Hitler
-Hungary and Poland to claim land on their borders with Czechoslovakia
-Hitler promised peace in Europe in return for the Sudetenland

Question 16

Who were happy to attend the conference and agree to Hitler’s demands?

Answer 16

Chamberlain and Daladier (the French President).

Question 17

What did Chamberlain and Daladier feel they were able to say the had done after accepting Hitler’s demands?

Answer 17

They felt they were able to say that they had prevented war and that Czechoslovakia’s borders were safe.

Question 18

When did Hitler march his troops into the Sudetenland?

Answer 18

10 October 1938.

Question 19

What had quickly caused the Czechs to fall under Nazi occupation?

Answer 19

Without the Sudetenland’s fortifications the Czechs were defenceless so fell under Nazi occupation.

Question 20

What did German Sudetens greet Nazi soldiers with?

Answer 20

Flowers, just like the Austrians had in March 1938.

Question 21

What did the Czechs feel the Nazi troops marching across their borders was?

Answer 21

A real invasion.

Question 22

Why had Britain and France been trying to guarantee Soviet support?

Answer 22

In case of war.

Question 23

Why had Stalin felt betrayed and angry?

Answer 23

He had not been consulted about the Sudeten Crisis.

Question 24

What 2 countries considered the Munich Conference a great victory?

Answer 24

-Britain - the day after the conference Chamberlain met with Hitler alone and they signed an Anglo-German declaration, agreeing they would never go to war against each other
-Germany - Hitler declared Europe would look forward to a peaceful Christmas because of the Munich Agreement.

Question 25

Give 5 reasons why the invasion of Czechoslovakia was significant:

Answer 25

-Britain and France could no longer hide behind the claim of Hitler taking what was rightfully his, there were no German speakers there and the country was not German prior to the TofV
-Czechoslovakia was a strong country and could have fought the Nazis with support, preventing a world war, but this opportunity was lost
-Britain and France had alienated the USSR and lost a valuable ally against Hitler
-Hitler finish invading Czechoslovakia in 1939, he broke the promises made at the Munich conference and to Chamberlain in the Anglo-German declaration, Chamberlain had to admit his policy of appeasement failed
-Chamberlain promised Poland that Britain would guarantee its independence, but it looked like Hitler’s next target