The Sudetenland

Question 1

Who was the leader of Czechoslovakia?

Answer 1

Edvard Benes

Question 2

Why was Benes horrified at in March 1938?

Answer 2

Anschluss now meant Czechoslovakia was surrounded on THREE fronts

Question 3

What did Benes predict in March 1938?

Answer 3

That Czechoslovakia would be next on Hitler’s list of countries to annex (take over)

Question 4

What does Reich mean?

Answer 4

• German for ‘empire’
• Hitler wanted to build a ‘Thousand Year Reich (Empire)’

Question 5

What made Benes even more nervous than Anschluss?

Answer 5

• The fact that neither Britain and France had done anything to prevent Anschluss.
• Benes was worried they also would not act to prevent a German takeover of Czechoslovakia

Question 6

What agreement did Czechoslovakia have with France?

Answer 6

A treaty which obliged France to defend Czechoslovakia if it was invaded

Question 7

Although the British did not have a treaty with Czechoslovakia, why did they feel obliged to support the Czechoslovaks?

Answer 7

The British felt obliged to support the French

Question 8

After Anschluss, what had Hitler told Chamberlain?

Answer 8

‘Czechoslovakia has nothing to fear from the Reich’

Question 9

Was Hitler telling the truth when he said, ‘Czechoslovakia has nothing to fear from the Reich’?

Answer 9

No. He was lying.

Question 10

Why did Hitler have designs (his eyes) on Czechoslovakia?

Answer 10

The country - created by the Treaty of Versailles - included a large number of Germans, mostly in the Sudetenland.

Question 11

Approximately how many German-speakers lived in the Sudetenland?

Answer 11

3 million

Question 12

Who was the leader of the Nazi Party in the Sudetenland?

Answer 12

Konrad Henlein

Question 13

What did Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudeten Nazis, demand in May 1938?

Answer 13

That the Sudetenland become part of Germany

Question 14

After Henlein’s announcement in May 1938 (that the Sudentenland should be part of Germany) what did Hitler declare?

Answer 14

That he was prepared to fight Czechoslovakia if necessary

Question 15

When Hitler declared in May 1938 that he might invade Czechoslovakia, what was the reaction around Europe?

Answer 15

The news put Europe on full alert

Question 16

Why was the Sudetenland a key military asset for Czechoslovakia?

Answer 16

• It contained forts, railways and industry.
• If Czechoslovakia lost this, she would be basically defenceless.

Question 17

Why was Czechoslovakia a different military prospect compared with Austria? (3)

Answer 17

1. Britain, France and the USSR had promised support
2. Benes, the Czech leader, was prepared to fight
3. The Czechs had a modern army

Question 18

What happened through the summer (May-August) around Europe?

Answer 18

Tensions rose as people expected war

Question 19

Why were people particularly nervous in the summer of 1938 about bombing?

Answer 19

The Spanish Civil War suggested a European war would bring similar CIVILIAN bombing raids

Question 20

In the summer of 1938, what happened around Britain?

Answer 20

People and local government started digging air raid shelters

Question 21

When did the problem of Czechoslovakia reach its crisis point?

Answer 21

In September 1938

Question 22

Throughout the summer of 1938, what had many people in Europe expected?

Answer 22

War to break out

Question 23

Who was Prime Minister of Britain in 1938?

Answer 23

Neville Chamberlain

Question 24

What did Chamberlain do in mid-September 1938 when the Czechoslovakia problem reached crisis point?

Answer 24

He flew personally to meet Hitler

Question 25

When did Chamberlain first meet Hitler

Answer 25

15 September

Question 26

Where did Chamberlain first meet Hitler on 15 September 1938?

Answer 26

Berchtesgaden (BERCH TES GADEN)

Question 27

Where was Berchtesgaden?

Answer 27

• In the mountains of Bavaria (South Germany).
• Hitler’s retreat - the Berghof - was located there.

Question 28

How did the first meeting, at Berchtesgaden, appear to go?

Answer 28

Generally well

Question 29

What was agreed at Berchtesgaden? (2)

Answer 29

• That all areas with of the Sudetenland with 50% + (i.e. a majority) Germans would be handed over to Germany.
• This was subject to approval by the British, French and Czech governments.

Question 30

Why did the points agreed on 15 Sept at Berchtesgaden not end up being the final agreement?

Answer 30

On 22 September (approx. one week after the first meeting) at a second meeting at Bad Godesburg (GOD - ES - BURG), Hitler changed his mind and demanded all of the Sudetenland.

Question 31

After the meeting at Berchtesgaden on 15 September, what did the French and British do?

Answer 31

A few days later (19 Sept.) they presented Hitler’s demands to the Czechs.

Question 32

When Hitler demanded all of the Sudetenland at the 2nd meeting at Bad Godesburg, what did Chamberlain do?

Answer 32

Told Hitler his demand were unreasonable and flew home to prepare Britain for war

Question 33

After the Bad Godesburg meeting, which parts of the British and French armed forces were mobilised?

Answer 33

The British navy and the French army

Question 34

How did Hitler justify his demands at Bad Godesburg?

Answer 34

He claimed the Czech government was mistreating Germans in the Sudetenland

Question 35

Why did Hitler agree to a third meeting at Munich?

Answer 35

He realised that he was on the brink of a European war, for which Germany was (probably) not yet ready.