Hitler continues to defy Treaty of Versailles

Reoccupation of the Rhineland

Recap of Hitler’s Policy• Intentions clear on assuming office • Would not be bound by Versailles• Withdrew from Disarmament Conference &

League – clear statement

• 1920s secret rearmament – Rapallo• Pocket battleships’ – increased strength if not

number• Hitler continued policy – clear announcement

• Built up army – airforce revealed – conscription – Naval agreement with Britain

British & French Reactions?• Panic + hasty agreements e.g. Stresa Front• Short term measures• Lack of trust between allies• German non-aggression pact with PolandBritish Reaction

Public anti-war; ‘Peace Pledge’ – 100,000 signatures1930s economic difficulties – domestic issuesAction would be costly

Did not want to act alone

Nazi Foreign Policy - Conclusion

• Rearmament beyond that necessary for economic recovery due to Depression

• 1937 Hossbach Memorandum – aggressive foreign policy

• 1938 Hitler = ‘War Minister’– Goering in charge of Luftwaffe

Reoccupation of the Rhineland

• Significance of Rhineland & T of V

• Significance of timing of remilitarisation

• Hitler’s reaction to Franco-Soviet Mutual Assistance Treaty

Activity –

Own notes

• Treaty with Russia not ratified until 27th Feb. 1936 – why?

German reaction?

• Why did Hitler say, “the 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-wracking of my life”?

• French reaction to reoccupation

– Political opinion

– Army generals

– Overview

Notes contd.

• British reaction to reoccupation i.e. contemporary attitudes

• Significance of 7th March 1936

• German attempts to placate France & Britain

Notes contd.

• Results for Hitler

• Arguments for statement

Reasons for Britain’s lack

of action against Germany

Debate

• Arguments against statement

Britain was justified in not reacting to the German reoccupation of the Rhineland.

Germany should have been stopped

at this point

Versailles Treaty out of

date

Troops in Rhineland threaten

Belgium and France