The Sudetenland (Part II - September-October 1938) Flashcards
Throughout the summer of 1938, what had many people in Europe expected?
War to break out
When did the problem of Czechoslovakia reach its crisis point?
In September 1938
Who was Prime Minister of Britain in 1938?
Neville Chamberlain
What did Chamberlain do in mid-September 1938 when the Czechoslovakia problem reached crisis point?
He flew personally to meet Hitler
When did Chamberlain first meet Hitler
15 September (mid-way through the month)
Where did Chamberlain first meet Hitler on 15 September 1938?
Berchtesgaden (BERCH TES GADEN)
Where was Berchtesgaden?
In the mountains of Bavaria (South Germany).
Hitler’s retreat - the Berghof - was located there.
How did the first meeting, at Berchtesgaden, appear to go?
Generally well
What was agreed at Berchtesgaden? (2)
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.
After the meeting at Berchtesgaden on 15 September, what did the French and British do?
A few days later (19 Sept.) they presented Hitler’s demands to the Czechs.
Why did the points agreed on 15 Sept at Berchtesgaden not end up being the final agreement?
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.
When Hitler demanded all of the Sudetenland at the 2nd meeting at Bad Godesburg, what did Chamberlain do?
Told Hitler his demand were unreasonable and flew home to prepare Britain for war
After the Bad Godesburg meeting, which parts of the British and French armed forces were mobilised?
The British navy and the French army
How did Hitler justify his demands at Bad Godesburg?
He claimed the Czech government was mistreating Germans in the Sudetenland
Why did Hitler agree to a third meeting at Munich?
He realised that he was on the brink of a European war, for which Germany was (probably) not yet ready.
Where did the third and final meeting take place?
Munich
When did the Munich meeting take place?
29-30 September
Who was present at the Munich meeting/Munich Conference? (4)
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy
Not Czechoslovakia - despite the fact it was her future being decided.
What was agreed at the Munich Conference in late September 1938?
That Hitler could have the Sudetenland
When the terms of the Munich Conference were presented to the Czechs, why did they agree to the terms?
They had no choice.
Either they accepted the terms or face the full might of the German army - ALONE.
What did Chamberlain do a few hours after the Munich Agreement was signed?
Visited Hitler personally and persuaded him to sign a document promising to work to promote peace across Europe
After Chamberlain personally persuaded Hitler to sign the document after the Munich Conference, what was Chamberlain able to do?
Chamberlain flew home and could use the joint declaration to claim to the British public that he had secured ‘peace for our time’
What happened on 1 October 1938 (the day after the Munich Agreement was signed)?
German troops marched into the Sudentenland
When German troops marched into the Sudetenland, who also took Czech territory?
Hungary and Poland - taking land where Hungarians and Poles lived.
What happened within Czechoslovakia after the Munich Agreement? (2)
- Benes, the Czech leader, resigned.
2. The country descended into chaos.
How was Chamberlain greeted in Britain after the Munich Agreement?
As a hero - he had averted war (or so people thought)
Did the British people believe that appeasement could stop Hitler?
No. A September 1938 poll showed a majority thought it would fail - but that it might buy time.
After the Munich Agreement, did the British people trust Hitler?
No. An opinion poll (survey) found that 93 per cent did not believe Hitler when he claimed to have no further territorial (land) ambitions
How long did the Munich Agreement last?
About 6 months
30 Sept. 1938 to 15 March 1939, when Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia
In March 1939, when the Germans invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, what did the Czechs do?
Nothing - they could not really resist
In March 1939, when the Germans invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, what did the British and French do?
Nothing directly to stop the invasion.
But Britain and France told Hitler that if he invaded Poland they would declare war on Germany.
Who was Hitler’s next likely target after invading Czechoslovakia in March 1939?
Poland (to Germany’s east)
Why did Hitler not believe Britain and France when they told him they would declare war if he invaded Poland?
Britain and France had done nothing to stop Hitler since he started breaking the terms of the Treaty of Versailles in 1933
