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Describe the events of the Sudeten crisis of 1938.

Summary

The Sudeten crisis began in February 1938 when Hitler demanded self-determination for all

Germans in Austria and Czechoslovakia.

The Sudeten Nazi Party demanded union with Germany and started rioting. Theycaused so much trouble that the Czechs had to send in the army. German newsreelsshowed evidence of Czech atrocities against the Sudetens. Hitler threatened to invade.In May 1938, the Czech government mobilised its army, thinking that the Germans were

about to invade.War seemed near, but Chamberlain decided that it was a quarrel in a far-away

country between people of whom we know nothing. At Munich (29 September), Britainand France gave the Sudetenland to Germany. I believe it is peace for our time,Chamberlain told the cheering crowd.

In October 1938, Hitler marched into the Sudetenland.

The Sudeten crisis began in February 1938 when Hitler demanded self-

determination for all Germans in Austria and Czechoslovakia. Shortly after,Austrian Nazis rioted and invited Hitler to invade, which he did in March,

declaring Anschluss.

It was clear that Hitler wanted to do the same in Czechoslovakia. TheSudeten Nazi Party was causing strikes and riots. This was a direct threat

to Czechoslovakia, which would lose its industrial areas and defendablefrontiers. Chamberlain hinted that an invasion of Czechoslovakia would

possibly involve other countries. Tension ran so high that, in May 1938,the Czech government mobilized its army, thinking that the Germans wereabout to invade.

In June 1938, the German Sudeten Party did well in the Czech national

elections. It held talks with the Czech President Bene, but these brokedown in September. The Sudeten Germans demanded union with Germany,and caused so much trouble that the Czechs were forced to impose martial

law. German newsreels showed evidence of Czech atrocities against theSudeten Germans. Hitler threatened to support the Sudeten Germans withmilitary force.

Then Chamberlain intervened. On 15 September he met Hitler at

Berchtesgaden. Hitler threatened war, but promised him that this was thelast problem to be solved. Chamberlain decided that Hitler was a manwho can be relied upon. He met for talks with the French, and togetherthey persuaded the Czechs to agree to hand over the Sudetenland.

But when Chamberlain met Hitler again to tell him at Bad Godesberg(22 September) there were more demands. Hitler said that other Czechlands had to be given to Hungary and Poland, and that the Sudetenland

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should be occupied by Germany before 1 October. He assured Chamberlain

that he had no more territorial ambitions in Europe.

Chamberlain refused. War seemed near, but Chamberlain was notsure that Czechoslovakia was one of the great issues, which justified war.

Instead, he decided that it was a quarrel in a far-away country betweenpeople of whom we know nothing. At Munich (29 September), Britain andFrance gave the Sudetenland to Germany. Czechoslovakia was not eveninvited to the talks. Chamberlain returned to England with his famous piece

of paper. I believe it is peace for our time, he told the cheering crowd.

The Czechs were free to fight if they wished, but they would have no

support. They chose not to fight. In October 1938, Hitler marched into theSudetenland unopposed. He said that it was the start of the great German

Reich, and declared: Thus we begin our march into the great German future. . .

On 11 March 1938, Hitler invaded Austria. It was clear he wanted to do the same in the Sudetenland.

On 7 September 1938, the German Sudeten Party demanded union with Germany.

There were riots.

German newsreels showed evidence of Czech atrocities against the Sudeten Germans.Hitler threatened to support the Sudeten Germans with military force.

Then Chamberlain intervened.

1. Chamberlain met Hitler at Berchtesgaden(15 September).

Hitler promised him that this was the last problem to be solved.Chamberlain decided Hitler was a man who can be relied upon.

He persuaded the Czechs to hand over the Sudetenland.2. Chamberlain met Hitler at Bad Godesberg(22 September.)

Hitler made more demands.

At first Chamberlain refused, but then he decided that Czechoslovakia was not one of the

great issueswhich justified war, but justa quarrel in a far-away country betweenpeople of whom we know nothing.

3. Britain and France met Hitler again and made a Pact with him at Munich(29 September).

They gave the Sudetenland to Germany.

Czechoslovakia was not even invited to the talks. The Czechs were free to fight if they wished, but they had no

support. They chose not to fight.

On 30 September, Chamberlain returned to England with his famous piece of paper. I believe it is peace for ourtime, he told the cheering crowds.

On 1 October 1938, Hitler marched unopposed into the Sudetenland. He said that it was the start of a 1000-year

German Reich (empire).

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