Adolf Hitler marched into the Rhineland with the German military on March 7, 1936. He had been threatening to remilitarize the Rhineland for some time, and suddenly, just two hours after he had proposed a twenty-five year non-aggression pact with Britain, France, and Belgium, he surprised everyone and simply marched in. Rhineland had been demilitarized by the Versailles Peace Treaty of 1918 and confirmed at the Locarno Agreement of 1925. To the French it served as a military buffer zone between France and Germany. The Rhineland had no real territorial value; its significance was purely symbolic. Great Britain had been the post World War I mediator between Germany and France up to this point, but once Germany entered the Rhineland, the French called for immediate support from the British. Although the British condemned Hitler’s action, they wanted to avoid war at all costs.
The Versailles Peace Treaty of 1918 was the end result of the brutal First World War. Europe was devastated, and the Allied forces were faced with the task of coming to terms with their former German enemy. It is well known that the French were determined to punish Germany; they sought revenge and made little attempt to hide their objective. At the Versailles Peace Conference the struggle between the French and Germans began a new path. The French demanded large reparations payments and several other drastic measures that would keep Germany from ever being capable of attacking them again. The agreement that was reached enacted several harsh measures against Germany. Aside from the huge reparations that they would be forced to pay, the Allied nations forced the Germans to completely demilitarize their military. Germany was also str...
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...w by pursuing what they believed to be the “best-case scenario.” Hitler probably could have been stopped if the British had stood up to him in the Rhineland Crisis. Because it was so early in his pursuit for continental domination, he did not yet have the mainstream support that he would by the actual beginning of the war. If he had failed Germany early, perhaps he might have been overthrown. However, all of the agreements and dilemmas described were much too overwhelming for the British government to handle alone, and the optimistic results that the British hoped for would never transpire. After Hitler was able to manipulate the British into signing the Anglo-German Naval Pact, he knew that each nation and League could be dealt with separately in order to achieve his goals. It was during the Rhineland Crisis that the precedence for World War II was set.
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Show MoreIn order to stop the fighting between countries, Europe needed to put some actions into effect because appeasement was not working. Germany proved that by disregarding the Versailles Treaty. According to Hitler after disregarding the Versailles Treaty, “I look upon this day as marking the close of the struggle for German equality status…the path is now clear for Germany’s return to European collective cooperation” (Document 3, 1936) This quote explains a vast difference between Hitler’s and the other European countries' views. With Hitler’s affirmation to make Germany equal and even more powerful than the other European countries, the other European countries would have to set up collective security because they would have very little insight on what Hitler would be planning; leading to more destruction. Now, Europe would be more prepared if Hitler decided to attack. A quote from Winston Churchill explaining why collective security is the right answer is, “…I think all of the opportunities to stop the growth of Nazi power which have been thrown away. The responsibility must rest with those who have control of our political affairs. They neither prevented Germany from rearming, nor did they rearm us in time…Thus they left us in the hour of trial without a strong national defense or system of international security” (Churchill). That quote explains how collective security is the best answer to stop war and the destruction Hitler is
Insight into Hilter's Mind and What Made Him Do What He Did What can be said about Adolph Hitler that already has not been said? Scores of books have been written about him, many people have tried to analyze him, I even heard that he has been portrayed in movies the most out of all other historical figures. Of course there are those goof balls that say he escaped to Argentina after the war (I would not be surprised if those same people think Elvis is still alive).
The mistakes made from World War I were well-defined in the Treaty of Versailles when this “peace pact” required Germany to pay billions in war reparations that ultimately drove Germany into economic shambles, creating the perfect conditions for Hitler to rise and take over with his totalitarian regime. The treaty of Versailles reduced the Germany army to 100,000 men and allotted Saarland, an industrial region of Germany rich in coal and iron, to France. The treaty left Germany handicapped not only physically, but also emotionally after World War I. Furthermore, the T...
On June 28th, 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed by leaders of countries from all over the world. While the treaty was being drafted there were many different views, mainly from the France, Britain, and the US and after it was signed Germany and its citizens had many reactions based on what they were supposed to comply with. For the Big 3, Germany had lost the war. They all believed that Germany should have to pay, but all of them had different ideas about how and what Germany should give back. Woodrow Wilson wanted to help Germany rebuild and didn’t want to be very harsh. He came to the Paris Peace conference with his 14 points. The things he thought would help keep the world a peaceful place and prevent future wars. Among the 14 some of the main things were: countries should reduce their armed forces and weapons, and one of...
“The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, recognized the feelings of the British people when he said ‘the Germans are going to pay every penny: they are going to be squeezed … until the pips squeak” (. This was the general conscious the British and the French people had because they felt they were owed for all of the wartime damages that occurred, the civilian and Soldiers lives that were lost, and because of the recourses the allies used to fight central powers. Ultimately the British and the French wanted revenge on Germany and for the first time they were in the power to do it. “Germany was not invited; as the defeated party, it was only required to sign the treaty once the cost of defeat had been established”2. The German s had no say at the negotiating table at the treaty of Versailles and because of this the “Big Four” ultimately and the power to punish Germany however they sought fit. This was a long shot from “Wilson’s proposed, “peace among equals,”2 and created much resentment from the German people. “Acceptance of blame appeared in Clause 231 of the treaty, later known as the ‘War Guilt clause’. Once Germany was made to acknowledge that it was responsible for the
Winston Churchill once said to Neville Chamberlain, “You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war.” After World War 1, a man by the name of Adolf Hitler slowly rose to power in Germany. He implemented tactics to win over his people, then worked to remove all opposition of his leadership and further went on to proclaim a union with Austria in 1938. After gaining control of Germany and Austria, Hitler wanted more. In September of 1938, he met with the prime minister of England, Neville Chamberlain for a negotiation about territory in Czechoslovakia. Germany claimed that the advance for the area of Czechoslovakia would be the last territorial invasion his troops would take. Chamberlain then signed the Munich Agreement along with Italy, Germany and France confirming that Sudetenland (region in Czechoslovakia) would be Hitler’s last demand. Chamberlain was strongly opposed to entering a war, and believed the deal would put an end to Hitler’s desires for expansion.
The appeasement was an unnecessary course of action as due to the weakness it imposed on the Allies, as it gave Hitler the impression they were too morally weak to oppose him. This advocated the possibility of war as the appeasement allowed Hitler to challenge the Versailles settlement with bold initiatives: withdrawing from the League of Nations (1933), canceling war debt payments (1933), beginning a program of public rearmament (1935), and moving troops into the demilitarized German Rhineland (1936). By 1931 Britain’s vengeful mood of 1919 had shifted to one of guilt for the excesses done to punish Germany.That sentiment, coupled with a loathing and fear of a repeat of the “Butcher’s Bill” of World War I, drove British politicians to the mistaken belief that “righting” the wrongs of Versailles would ameliorate the situation and restore calm. However, when Hitler reoc-cupied the Rhineland in defiance of the treaties of Versailles and Locarno (1925). The Germans could not as yet have resisted any British and French military response, but Britain did nothing and France, which mobilized 150,000 troops behind the Maginot Line, would do nothing more without British support. Hitler later confessed that if the French army had advanced into the Rhineland in response to his actions, the Germans would have had to withdraw as they were incapable of mounting real
The Reoccupation of the Rhineland occurred on the 7 March 1936 when German military forces entered the Rhineland which violated the treaty of Versailles. Hitler believed that the treaty of Versailles was unfair and he was only striving to equality and that as a result of Versailles apart of Germany was demilitarized. The Rhineland was highly significant as it was land inside Germany on the border of France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Treaty of Versailles violated German troops to be stationed in that area or any fortifications built. This action was put forward to increase security and to prevent Germany to invade France.
When Hitler failed to occupy the British Isles in November of 1940, he became impatient and started to make plan for an invasion of the Soviet. He believed that Soviet’s defeat will allow Japan to focus its force against America, diverting Washington’s attentions to Pacific. Without America, Great Britain would lose its supporter and the war would come to a close. However, by raging war with the Soviet, Hitler introduced a new eastern front that divided the military resources as well as troop divisions. Despite Bismarck’s warnings, Hitler felt confident that the Soviet Union would quickly collapse. In May 1941, Hitler had a chance to eliminate Britain from the war in the Mediterranean; however, he didn’t make use of the opportunity because he already set his heart on Operation Barbarossa. This failure to act ensured a two fronts war for Germany. Another mistake that Hitler made was pushing back Operation for several weeks to June 22, 1941 due to the conquest of Yugoslavia and Greece. Although he could have push Operation Barbarossa back to the next year, he let his ambition for a Lebensraum in Russia, clouded his judgment. By starting late, Germany had less time to defeat the Soviet before the harsh winter came. The winter hits German troops especially hard when Hitler faile...
France was a major part of the end of World War I. They had a strong, respected army, and the country had faith in its military strength. The Versailles Treaty that ended the First World War consisted of five separate treaties between the allies and Germany. Perhaps the most important for France was the formation of the League of Nations. This was a union of countries who agreed to pursue common policies after reaching a common decision, especially in times of war, to establish and maintain peace. The main powers in this league were Britain, France, Italy, the United States, and Japan. The League of Nations gave the countries a sense of responsibility to protect one another. The treaty also guaranteed that if Germany were to attack France again, the United States and Britain would offer aid to France. Germany was also forced to reduce its army to 100,000 men on long-term service as a stipulation of this treaty.1
After his victory over Poland, Hitler now had his sights on a quick offensive in the west. Speaking to his Generals in October 1939, Hitler said, ‘If it becomes clear that Britain and under its leadership France also, are not prepared to end the war I am determined to go on the offensive without delay.’ In April 1940 Germany launched its attack in the west with a surprise invasion of Norway and Denmark, which were neutral states. Hitler took Norway because that guaranteed that vital iron ore supplies from Sweden could be shipped to Germany through the ice-free Norwegian ports. Hitler also occupied Denmark, because it was in the way of the German attack.
At the end of World War 1, the victorious nations met in France to hammer out a treaty that would officially end what was the most destructive war in modern history. That treaty’s name was the Treaty of Versailles. Over the last 75 years, historians have argued that the Treaty of Versailles, and the demands within it, directly led to World War II; there is far too much evidence supporting the fact that the treaty did lead to World War II. Evidence such as territorial losses, reforming of the German military, Reparations to be paid from the Germans to the Allies, and the War Guilt Clause, all point to the fact that the Treaty of Versailles directly led to World War II.
...t, Hitler believed that the British government would reconsider its policy of appeasement. He thus decided to invade Poland on September 1st 1939, on 3rd, British declared war against Hitler (Scaife 121). Hitler’s invasion of Poland was from the hope that the policy of appeasement would be used to solve the matter, but it failed.
Throughout the 20th century many people influenced the world for better or worse. However one man completely changed history for even those alive today. This man was Adolf Hitler. He was a anti-semitic, anti-Marxist dictator that dominated Europe into believing that Jews were the root of all evil. Adolf Hitler is one of the most influential figures of the 20th century because his reign and military leadership of Germany lead to World War II, he killed millions of Jews trying to perfect humanity through the Holocaust and his efforts of world domination influenced history forever.
...en dealt with in a firm manor. Hitler was able to use his countries momentum and his negotiation skills to achieve what he wanted for Germany and made a deal he knew that he was not going to honor and eventually lead to WWII. Prime Minister Chamberlain also needed to be aware of possible deception that he was likely going to face with dealing with Germany. “When German troops invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1929, Hitler’s promise that Sudetenland was his ‘last territorial demand’ was revealed for the lie it has always been. At best Chamberlain’s summit diplomacy has bought Britain another 11 month to prepare for war at the considerable expense of Czechoslovakia’s freedom”(Rathbone 19). In fairness, Chamberlin had avoided war for a period of time, but the consequences were much greater in the sense that war was inevitable and his people’s lack of faith.