Hitler continues to defy Treaty of Versailles

1
Hitler continues to defy Treaty of Versailles

• Reoccupation of the Rhineland

2
Recap of Hitlers 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

3
British French Reactions?

• Panic hasty agreements e.g. Stresa Front
• Short term measures
• Lack of trust between allies
• German non-aggression pact with Poland
• British Reaction
• Public anti-war Peace Pledge 100,000
  signatures
• 1930s economic difficulties domestic issues
• Action would be costly

Did not want to act alone
4
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

5
Reoccupation of the Rhineland
Activity Own notes

• Significance of Rhineland T of V
• Significance of timing of remilitarisation
• Hitlers reaction to Franco-Soviet Mutual
  Assistance Treaty

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

6
Notes contd.

• 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

• British reaction to reoccupation i.e.
  contemporary attitudes

7
Notes contd.

• Significance of 7th March 1936
• German attempts to placate France Britain

• Results for Hitler

8
Debate
Britain was justified in not reacting to the
German reoccupation of the Rhineland.
Germany should have been stopped at this point
Reasons for Britains lack of action against
Germany

• Arguments for statement

• Arguments against statement

Troops in Rhineland threaten Belgium and France
Versailles Treaty out of date