HITLERS FOREIGN

POLICY

The failure of appeasement

In the late 1930s, Britain and France were desperate to avoid another
war with Germany. Even though the Anschluss and the presence of
German troops in the Rhineland were violations of the Versailles peace
treaty, Britain and France did not react aggressively (see Source 2.17).
This helped convince Hitler that these nations would not go to war over
German territorial expansion.

THE SAAR PLEBISCITE

The treaty had given the Sudetenland region, which had a population
of around three million ethnic Germans, to the new nation of
Czechoslovakia. In 1938, Hitler demanded that the region be returned to
Germany. Representatives from Britain, France, Italy and Germany met in
Munich in September, and agreed to return Sudetenland to Germany (see
Source 2.18). In return, Hitler agreed not to make any further claims over
disputed territory in Europe. Despite these assurances, Germany invaded
the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

Saar area of Germany had been ruled by the League of Nations

1935 plebiscite (remain with LON, France or Germany).
Mainly German people there
Check your learning
90% voted to return to Hitlers Germany entirely legal
within the terms of TOV & morale boost - PROPAGANDA

The failure of appeasement resulted in Britain and France adopting a

harder line against Germany. When Hitler began demanding the return of
territories in Poland, Britain formed an Anglo-Polish alliance to guarantee
Polands security. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland; and
Britain, France and the British Dominions, including Australia, declared
war on Germany.

Source 2.17 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain

Identify some of the ways in which Germany

violated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

What was the appeasement policy? In what way

did it fail?

Why did Hitler claim to want the Sudetenland

returned to Germany?

arrives back from his meeting with Hitler in 1938, holding the
agreement which he said would deliver peace for our time.

The war in Europe

For the first two years of the war, Nazi Germany and its
allies enjoyed considerable military success. In a series of
military campaigns, they used new tactics and equipment
to establish an empire that stretched from the English
Channel to the Soviet Union; from Norway to the African
countries of Algeria and Libya.

Poland
The invasion of Poland, launched on 1 September 1939,
was the first example of what became known as Blitzkrieg
(lightning war) tactics (see Source 2.19). Despite British
and French commitments to support Poland, the speed
of the German advance made it virtually impossible for
either power to offer practical military support. By the end
of September, Poland was divided between Nazi Germany
and the Soviet Union with which Hitler had signed a pact
in August (see Source 2.16).

Source 2.18 Sudeten women respond to the entry of Hitlers troops to their
territory. What could be the explanation for the response of the woman on the
right?
chapter two world war II (19391945)

71

REMILITARISATION OF THE
RHINELAND
1936 Hitler moved his troops to the Rhineland area
Its demilitarisation (no troops allowed there) was one
of the terms of the TOV & Locarno Pact a huge
gamble.
France had signed a treaty with the USSR Germany
said they felt threatened.
Germany entered Rhineland French army at this
time better than theirs
LON condemned Hitler but did nothing only USSR
wanted to impose sanctions.

WHY WAS THERE NO

ACTION AGAINST
HITLER?
Hitler had chosen his
moment carefully
Britain & France were
concerned about Italy
invaded Abyssinia.
The French were
divided but would not
act without Britain.
Britain felt Hitler was
doing nothing wrong
it was his own territory
not another country.
No one wanted a war!

COULD HITLER HAVE

BEEN STOPPED IN
1936?
Hitler took a chance entering the Rhineland even went
against the advice of his generals.
Also against financial advisors who feared economic sanctions.
Hitler had judged foreign reaction perfectly.
If France had invaded Hitler may have been even more popular
victim of foreign invasion
Hitler could have been stopped but the will to use force was
not there

RESULTS OF
REMILITARISATION

1.

Hitler has reversed the TOV

2.

Position of Hitler in Germany had been strengthened.

3.

Increased confidence

4.

Led to Rome Berlin Axis

5.

1936 39 Spanish Civil war gave Italian & German troops experience of War.

6.

Rearmament in Britain

7.

End of the LON.

ANSCHLUSS
Means a union with
Germany; unite the German
speaking peoples of the
World.

It was a triumph for Germany

Strong Nazi Party in Austria

caused trouble got the
Government. There were
riots in support of the
Nazis.

Germany now possessed land on 3

sides of the Sudetenland the
German speaking part of
Czechoslovakia.

1938 Mussolini wouldnt

stop it.

Hitlers confidence continued to

grow

Proved the value of Hitlers alliance

with Mussolini
Anschluss was VERY popular in
Germany.

 Austrian Chancellor forced to hold a plebiscite

99.75% voted for a union.
Hitler taking lots of risks but clear France & Britain
wanted to avoid war at all costs.
12th March 1938 Germany entered Austria
Britain & France did nothing L.O.N. not consulted.
Britain was sympathetic also feared communism so
preferred a stronger Germany than USSR.

Hitlers movements leading

up to war