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After the First World War, the map of Europe was re-drawn and several new countries were formed. As a result of this, three million Germans found themselves now living in part of Czechoslovakia. When Adolf Hitler came to power, he wanted to unite all Germans into one nation. In September 1938 he turned his attention to the three million Germans living in part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland. Sudeten Germans began protests and provoked violence from the Czech police. Hitler claimed that 300 Sudeten Germans had been killed. This was not actually the case, but Hitler used it as an excuse to place German troops along the Czech border. During this situation, the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, flew to meet Hitler at his private mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden in an attempt to resolve the crisis. Use this lesson to explore documents concerning Chamberlain’s original meeting with Hitler and advice given to him at home in Britain. Tasks
BackgroundThe Treaty of Versailles, made in 1919 at the end of the First World War, was intended to make a lasting peace. Many people felt that the Treaty had caused terrible resentment in Germany on which Hitler had been able to play in order to achieve power. The government believed that Hitler and Germany had genuine grievances, but that if these could be met (‘appeased’) Hitler would be satisfied and become less demanding. Hitler was open about his refusal to accept many of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Soon after he became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 he began to re-arm the country, breaking the restrictions placed on the German armed forces. In 1936, he sent German troops into the Rhineland and in March 1938 he joined Germany and Austria. Czechoslovakia was the logical next step for his aggression and German Nazis in the Sudetenland were told to stir up the trouble that led to the crisis examined here. Edvard Benes, the leader of Czechoslovakia, was concerned that if Germany was given the Sudetenland, most of the Czech defences would be handed over to the Germans and they would be left defenceless. Chamberlain’s flight to Berchtesgaden was followed by another to Godesberg a week later and then another to Munich on 29 September. At Munich, Chamberlain got an international agreement that Hitler should have the Sudetenland in exchange for Germany making no further demands for land in Europe. Chamberlain said it was ‘Peace for our time’. Hitler said he had ‘No more territorial demands to make in Europe.’ On 1 October German troops occupied the Sudetenland: Hitler had got what he wanted without firing a shot. Although people in Britain were relieved that war had been averted, many now wondered if appeasement was the best decision. They did not think it would stop Hitler, and simply delayed the war, rather than prevented it. Even while Chamberlain was signing the Munich Agreement, he was agreeing a huge increase in spending to increase Britain’s armament in preparation for war. He must have known from the situation outlined to him by General Ismay, that Czechoslovakia was lost, that war was bound to come. Six months later, in March 1939, German troops took over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Poland seemed to be the next most likely victim of Nazi aggression and Chamberlain made an agreement with the Poles to defend them in Germany invaded. Hitler did not think Britain would go to war over Poland, having failed to do so over Czechoslovakia. He sent his soldiers into Poland in September 1939. Two days later, Britain declared war on Germany. Chamberlain struggled on as Prime Minister until May 1940 when he resigned and Winston Churchill, a bitter critic of appeasement, took over. Chamberlain died in November 1940; however he continued to be vilified for appeasement in general and for his actions in September 1938 in particular long after his death and the conclusion of the war. Teachers' notesThis lesson has a video starter to hook students into the lesson. Students examine extracts from a document written by letter written by Sir Nevile Meyrick Henderson, British Ambassador in Germany, 6th September 1938. Then, they analyse three extracts from the minutes of the conversation between Chamberlain and Hitler at Berchtesgaden. These provide insight in the arguments presented by both leaders on question of Sudetenland. What criticisms can be made of Chamberlain? His assessment of Hitler? His national self-centredness in his failure to consult with his allies and his readiness to sacrifice the Czechs? The final source in the lesson is the conclusion of a secret note from General Ismay to the British Cabinet sent on 20th September 1938. Ismay was Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Students examine its contents to see what it reveals about the Government’s views concerning the German absorption of Czechoslovakia. In the conclusion of the lesson, students are tasked to make their own assessment of Chamberlain’s appeasement policy over Sudetenland. Perhaps, it is important to make the point that the release documents that were previously deemed secret can add different perspectives to this issue. Chamberlain was of the generation which survived but was deeply revolted by the First World War. Is it fair to criticise him for under-estimating Hitler? Students could try to construct the case for Chamberlain. Is this the same as a case for appeasement? All sources are provided with transcripts. Students could work on the sources individually or pairs and report back to the group with their findings. SourcesImage: INF 3/46: Caricature of Neville Chamberlain by artist ‘Wooding’ for Ministry of Information, 1939-1946 Source 1 : FO 371/21737 – Letter from Nevile Henderson, the German Ambassador Source 2a, b & c : FO 371/21738 – Chamberlain’s notes from his meeting with Hitler. Source 3 : CAB 21/544 – Report by General Ismay on the potential outcomes if Czechosolvakia is given to the Germans. External linksChurchill’s speech on the Munich Agreement: Find more on the context of the Munich agreement here: Find more documents relating to the Munich agreement in this blog: Connections to curriculumKey stage 3 Key stage 4
THE REOCCUPATION OF THE DEMILITARISED ZONE OF THE RHINELAND, 7 MARCH 1936 (NYP 68058) German infantry march into the former DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) preceded by their regimental band, 7 March 1936. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193835
On 7 March 1936 German troops re-occupied the Rhineland, a de-militarised zone according to the Treaty of Versailles. This action was directly against the terms which Germany had accepted after the First World War. This move, in terms of foreign relations, threw the European allies, especially France and Britain, into confusion. What should they do about it? Anthony Eden was the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Stanley Baldwin the Prime Minister at the time. Use the Foreign Office documents in this lesson from March 11th 1936 to find out about the motives and attitudes of the British government as they discuss their options. TasksBackgroundAccording to the Treaty of Versailles, the Rhineland, a strip of land inside Germany bordering on France, Belgium and the Netherlands, was to be de-militarised. That is, no German troops were to be stationed inside that area or any fortifications built. The aim was to increase French security by making it impossible for Germany to invade France unawares. Other terms restricted the German army to 100,000 men and the navy to just 36 ships. Germany objected to the terms of the treaty but were told to sign it or the war would begin again. The Treaty of Versailles also set up the League of Nations, an international peace-keeping organisation. It was based on the idea of collective security, that is, the nations of the world would act together (collectively) to preserve peace. Unfortunately, one of the most powerful, the USA, did not join the League. Germany in the 1920s was keen to get back on normal terms with other nations and signed the Treaty of Locarno. By this treaty Germany agreed to accept the terms of the Versailles Treaty, at least on her western borders. France continued to worry about their safety against Germany particularly after Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933. He had always declared his firm intention of overthrowing the Treaty of Versailles and uniting all Germans in one country, even if it led to war. Germany began to re-arm. Could France trust collective security, or should they find military allies? In May 1935 France signed a treaty of friendship and mutual support with the USSR. Germany claimed the treaty was hostile to them and Hitler used this as an excuse to send German troops into the Rhineland in March 1936, contrary to the terms of the treaties of Versailles and Locarno. It was a gamble on his part and his generals were nervous about it. German re-armament had not yet reached a point where they felt ready to take on a well-armed nation like France. Following the discussions described in the documents, the British Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, did indeed meet the German ambassador and make his proposals. Hitler refused to withdraw his troops, and put pressure on the League of Nations to act. France was on the verge of a general election and would not act without Britain’s support. However the British people felt that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair on Germany and was over-restrictive, and so partly because of this, the British government decided to do nothing. Hitler moved on from the occupation of the Rhineland in 1936, to the annexation of Austria and the seizure of the Sudetenland in 1938, to the take-over of the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 and then Poland in September 1939. Teachers' notes
In this lesson students explore a series of extracts from Foreign Office meetings over the German re-occupation of the Rhineland. They reveal the crisis it produced for Britain and her some of her allies. The key concerns can be inferred within the documents, including:
The events of the Rhineland crisis are important for those studying the history of appeasement in international relations prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. With this is mind, some teachers may wish to use this lesson with our three other lessons on Chamberlain and Hitler, Eden’s last stand, and the leadership of Adolf Hitler shown in Related Resources. All sources are provided with transcripts and simplified transcripts. Students could work on the sources individually or pairs and report back to the group with their findings. SourcesIllustration image: The reoccupation of the demilitarised zone of the Rhineland, 7 March 1936, German official photographer © IWM NYP 68058Y Sources 1-5 FO 371/19892: Minutes from the Foreign Office meeting on the Treaty of Locarno in 1936 External linksVideo on the German re-occupation and militarization of the Rhineland A blog on the Locarno Treaties which gives further context for sources Connections to curriculumKey stage 3 Key stage 4 |
Was the policy of allowing Germany to violate the terms of their treaty but doing nothing to stop it
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