Reoccupation of the Rhineland Flashcards
When and what happened with the Rhineland re-militarisation?
1935 May - France and USSR signed a treaty of support and friendship - Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance. Hitler said that it was a hostile threat to Germany, and the Rhineland could be used by France to invade Germany. Hitler used this as an excuse to attack.
1936 7th March - German troops invaded Rhineland. This went against the Treaty of Versailles.
What were Britain and France’s responses?
Britain - didn’t see a problem with it - it was Germany’s “own backyard”. Britain was more concerned with the Italian invasion of Abyssinia and the aftermath of the Great Depression.
France - French Government resigned after Hoare-Laval Pact - leaving France with no government - elections had not happened. France was also more concerned with Abyssinia as well.
Consequences?
- France started to build a wall to prevent an invasion.
- German people were happy to see their country go against the TOV.
- Britain and France were weaker as they lost Italy as an ally.
- Hitler’s confidence was boosted and signed the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact.
Could Hitler have been stopped?
No - Britain couldn’t afford a war and France wouldn’t go without Britain.
Yes - Hitler also couldn’t afford a war. He probably would’ve stopped if Britain and France told him to.
