Damon Mcknight
The remilitarization of the Rhineland in 1936 and the annexation of Austria in 1938 were important events in the lead-up to World War II. The remilitarization of the Rhineland was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact, which had established the Rhineland as a demilitarized zone. This violation went unchallenged by Britain and France, which set a precedent for the appeasement of Hitler's aggressive foreign policy. The annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. It was enabled by the cultivation of pro-unification tendencies in Austria, the undermining of the Austrian government, and the international community's lack of interest in maintaining Austrian independence. These events highlight the failure of appeasement policies and the aggressive nature of Nazi Germany's expansionist agenda, which ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1936 |
| Date | 7 March |
| Location | Rhineland, Germany |
| Action | Remilitarisation of the Rhineland |
| Violation of | Treaty of Versailles, Locarno Treaties |
| Troops | 20,000 German troops |
| Response | No military response from France or Britain |
| Impact | Shifted the balance of power in Europe towards Germany |
| Future Actions | Annexation of Austria, seizure of Sudetenland, invasion of Poland |
| Year of Future Actions | 1938, 1939 |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler's violation of the Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Pact
The Treaty of Versailles, imposed on Germany by the Allies after World War I, included several terms that restricted Germany's military capabilities. These included limiting the German army to 100,000 men, the navy to 36 ships, and requiring the demilitarisation of the Rhineland. The Rhineland, a strip of land inside Germany bordering France, Belgium and the Netherlands, was to be free of German troops and fortifications, with the aim of increasing French security and making it impossible for Germany to invade France without warning.
The Locarno Pact, signed in October 1925 by Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Britain, further reinforced the demilitarised status of the Rhineland. However, in March 1936, Hitler ordered German troops to march into the Rhineland, directly violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. Hitler justified this action by claiming that the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance invalidated the Locarno Pact, and that Germany was now reoccupying the demilitarised Rhineland zone. This move was met with sweeping peace offers from Germany, including non-aggression agreements with neighbouring nations and cooperation in collective security schemes.
Hitler's violation of the treaties had significant implications for Europe's power dynamics. The British and French governments, reluctant to risk war, chose not to enforce the treaties. This inaction emboldened Hitler, leading him to accelerate Germany's war preparations and pursuit of European domination. The remilitarisation of the Rhineland altered the balance of power, enabling Germany to pursue a policy of aggression in Western Europe that had previously been blocked by the region's demilitarised status.
Hitler's actions in the Rhineland also set a precedent for further expansionist moves. In 1938, he proceeded to annex Austria and seize the Sudetenland, followed by the takeover of the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and Poland later that year. These events played a crucial role in the lead-up to World War II, with the Treaty of Versailles and its aftermath contributing to the rise of Nazism in Germany and the eventual outbreak of the Second World War.
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The British government's appeasement policy
The British government's policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s was an attempt to avoid war by allowing Hitler to expand German territory. This policy, most closely associated with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, is now widely discredited as a policy of weakness. However, at the time, it was a popular and seemingly pragmatic policy.
The British government's policy of appeasement can be traced back to the early 1930s when Hitler came to power in Germany. In 1933, Nazi Germany withdrew from an international disarmament conference and the League of Nations, signalling their intention to rearm and expand their influence in Europe. Despite these clear signs of aggression, the British government, under Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, chose not to sanction or punish Germany for these violations of international agreements. Instead, they sought to negotiate, hoping to avoid war at all costs. This policy of appeasement continued under Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, who signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935, allowing Germany to maintain a larger naval force than permitted under the Treaty of Versailles.
In March 1936, Hitler sent German troops into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. This action brought condemnation from Britain and France, but neither nation intervened militarily to enforce the treaties. The British government's decision to do nothing was influenced by the belief that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair to Germany and the sense that the British public would not support a move towards war. This inaction emboldened Hitler and led him to quicken his expansionist plans.
In March 1938, Hitler annexed Austria, blatantly disregarding the sovereignty and borders of his neighbours. Once again, the international community, including Britain, did not intervene. This annexation signalled the Nazis' complete disregard for international agreements and the beginning of their aggressive campaign to absorb neighbouring territories. Despite warnings from Winston Churchill, who opposed appeasement, Britain continued its policy of appeasement towards Hitler, hoping to preserve peace in Europe.
In conclusion, the British government's policy of appeasement in the 1930s was driven by a desire to avoid war and maintain peace. However, by allowing Hitler to expand unchecked, the policy ultimately failed to achieve its goal. The events of the Rhineland crisis and the annexation of Austria highlighted the British government's struggle to balance their commitment to international peace and their national security interests in the lead-up to World War II.
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Austria's struggle to maintain independence
In the years leading up to World War II, Austria found itself in a precarious position as it sought to maintain its independence from its larger neighbor, Germany, which was under the control of the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler. Despite efforts by Austrian leaders like Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg, who wanted to keep Austria independent, Hitler had ambitions to annex Austria and make it a part of Germany.
In March 1938, Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, known as the "Anschluss." This move was supported by a large majority of Austrians, many of whom identified as German. The annexation of Austria was a significant step in Hitler's expansionist agenda and was followed by the seizure of the Sudetenland in 1938 and the invasion of Poland in 1939, marking the start of World War II in Europe.
During World War II, Austria was occupied by Nazi forces, and its independence was not immediately restored after the war. From 1945 to 1955, Austria was occupied by Soviet, American, British, and French forces, and its independence was a subject of negotiation during the Cold War. The Western powers sought to safeguard Austria's independence from communist expansion, while the Soviet Union refused to withdraw its troops. Eventually, in 1955, an agreement was reached, and Austria regained its independence as a neutral country, becoming the Second Austrian Republic.
In more recent times, Austria has faced complex issues related to independence struggles in neighboring regions. In 2017, Austria's new government proposed offering citizenship to residents of the Italian region of South Tyrol (also known as Alto Adige), where German speakers outnumber Italians. This proposal sparked debates about potentially igniting an independence struggle in the region, as it challenged the existing borders established after World War I.
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The beginning of World War II in Europe
The remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936 and the annexation of Austria in 1938 were important events that contributed to the beginning of World War II in Europe.
The Remilitarisation of the Rhineland, 1936:
On March 7, 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered 20,000 German troops to march into the Rhineland, a strip of land inside Germany bordering France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This action directly violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties, which had established the Rhineland as a demilitarised zone to increase French security and prevent a surprise invasion of France. The remilitarisation of the Rhineland was a significant step in Hitler's expansionist agenda and marked the beginning of his aggressive foreign policy. Britain and France, despite their concerns, chose not to intervene militarily, a decision that influenced Hitler's future actions.
The Annexation of Austria, 1938:
Two years after the remilitarisation of the Rhineland, in 1938, Hitler annexed Austria, absorbing it into Nazi Germany. This annexation was another violation of the Treaty of Versailles and further demonstrated Hitler's growing aggression and disregard for international treaties. The annexation of Austria was a cause for concern for the Western Allies, who now recognised the potential threat posed by Nazi Germany.
These events were significant because they highlighted Hitler's intentions to expand German territory and challenge the post-World War I international order. They also exposed the reluctance of Britain and France to take decisive military action against Germany, which likely influenced Hitler's belief that he could continue his expansionist policies without consequence. This eventually led to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and the outbreak of World War II in Europe with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, and the subsequent declaration of war by Britain and France on Germany.
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The importance of studying appeasement in international relations
The remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936 and the annexation of Austria in 1938 are important events to study for those interested in international relations and the history of appeasement. The remilitarisation of the Rhineland was a significant test of the resolve of Britain and France against Hitler's aggression and their commitment to upholding the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. By occupying the Rhineland, Hitler was directly challenging the terms of these treaties, which had forbidden the presence of German military forces in the region. The British and French governments, however, were reluctant to intervene militarily, partly due to public opinion in both countries that opposed military intervention and supported negotiation. This inaction sent a signal to Hitler that he could continue to undermine the Treaty of Versailles and pursue his expansionist agenda without facing significant resistance from Britain and France.
Indeed, the failure of Britain and France to effectively respond to the remilitarisation of the Rhineland encouraged Hitler to take further aggressive actions, such as the annexation of Austria and the seizure of the Sudetenland in 1938. These events highlighted the growing distrust between Britain and France and their differing approaches to dealing with Germany. While Britain favoured a policy of appeasement and negotiation, France sought to challenge German remilitarisation but lacked the necessary support. The annexation of Austria, in particular, demonstrated Hitler's determination to overturn the territorial provisions of the Treaty of Versailles and consolidate his power.
The study of these events provides valuable insights into the complexities of international relations during the interwar period. It illustrates the challenges faced by democratic governments in balancing domestic public opinion with the need to respond decisively to international crises. Additionally, it highlights the potential consequences of failing to enforce established treaties and the impact this can have on the global power dynamic.
Furthermore, examining the appeasement policies of the 1930s can offer important lessons for modern international relations. By understanding the factors that influenced the decisions of Britain and France, scholars and policymakers can gain insights into the effectiveness of various diplomatic strategies and the potential long-term implications of appeasement. The study of this period can also inform the development of strategies to address contemporary challenges, such as managing rising powers with expansionist ambitions or navigating complex alliances and international agreements.
In conclusion, the events of the Rhineland in 1936 and Austria in 1938 hold significant importance in the study of international relations and appeasement. They serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between peace and war, the complexities of international alliances, and the critical role of decisive action in upholding established treaties and maintaining global stability.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rhineland incident of 1936 was important because it was the first time Hitler re-occupied a demilitarised zone, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. This was a significant step towards the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in July 1919, eight months after World War I ended. It imposed strict terms on defeated Germany, including reducing its military forces and requiring the Rhineland to be demilitarised, which made Germany vulnerable to invasion.
On March 7, 1936, Hitler sent German troops into the Rhineland, a demilitarised zone along the Rhine River in western Germany. This violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact, and Britain and France did not intervene.
The annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was important because it was Nazi Germany's first act of territorial aggression and expansion. It was also significant because it was the realisation of Hitler's plan to create a Greater Germany by incorporating ethnic Germans outside of Germany into the Reich.
The annexation of Austria in 1938 was enthusiastically supported by most Austrians and led to an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population. It also marked the beginning of World War II in Europe, as Nazi Germany continued its territorial expansion into Czechoslovakia and Poland.
