3.2.2 Occupation of the Rhineland

Question 1

Why did Hitler plan to remilitarise the Rhineland?

Answer 1

The Treaty of Versailles had forced Germany to demilitarise the area of the Rhineland on the border between Germany and France. Hitler wanted to take Lebensraum in east Europe, but to do this he would have to invade other countries. He knew France and Britain were likely to declare war if he did this, so he had to protect his western borders by remilitarising the Rhineland

Question 2

Why was remilitarising the Rhineland a risk for Germany (2)

Answer 2

• German generals had advised Hitler that the army was not strong enough to fight if Britain or France chose to challenge it
• German financial ministers warned Hitler that if his plan failed he would have to pay fines, which Germany could not afford

Question 3

What pact was signed in 1935 between France and the USSR?

Answer 3

The France-Soviet Pact

Question 4

What was The Franco-Soviet Pact?

Answer 4

A deal between France and the USSR in which each agreed to assist the other if attacked by Germany

Question 5

What was Hitler’s response to the Franco-Soviet Pact?

Answer 5

Hitler manipulated this by saying it was an act of aggression. On the 7th March 1936, Hitler’s troops entered the Rhineland, many rode on bicycles and there was no air support. Civilians in the Rhineland greeted the troops with flowers

Question 6

Why and how did Hitler test the Allies before he took back the Rhineland?

Answer 6

At this time, Hitler’s army was still not strong enough if countries assembled to fight him after breaking the Treaty of Versailles. However, he took the risk to see how the Allies would react. They did nothing and, as a result, Hitler took back the Rhineland. This was a clear signal to Hitler he could do as he pleased

Question 7

Why did France do little to stop Hitler remilitarising the Rhineland? (3)

Answer 7

• Politicians were distracted as they were fighting a general election
• Much of the French army was in Tunisia in case they needed to intervene in the Abyssinian crisis
• Many believed that the German army entering the Rhineland was bigger than it was - they thought this was a battle they would not win

Question 8

How was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland a sign for the Allies?

Answer 8

It was a sign to the Allies that they needed to re-arm. They did

Question 9

Why did Britain do little to stop Hitler remilitarising the Rhineland? (3)

Answer 9

• Depression causing problems at home meant Britain was reluctant to do anything
• British people said there was no need to stop Hitler ‘marching into his own back garden’; many felt that Hitler had a right to defend his own borders and that his this area was rightfully his
• The British leadership was preoccupied with the Abyssinian crisis

Question 10

Why was the remilitarisation of the Rhineland important? (4)

Answer 10

• Hitler gained confidence that he could get away with violating the Treaty of Versailles
• Britain and France started rearming; war was getting closer
• The French priority was now protecting its own border; they started ignoring treaties they had signed to protect other countries
• Hitler showed that he was powerful; he signed the Rome-Berlin Axis with Mussolini. Hitler signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan in 1936; they agreed to work together against the threat of Communism; Italy later joined the alliance when it agreed to the Pact of Steel with Germany in 1939