Final Acts of Appeasement
Germany Rearms - Militarizes the Rhineland
1935 Hitler introduces conscription in Germany
France, Britain and Italy form the Stresa front to condemn Hitler’s actions
1935 Mussolini signs naval agreement with Hitler
March 1936 Hitler remilitarizes the Rhineland (Breaking the Locarno Pact)
Anchluss, 1938:
Versailles forbade a unification of Germany and Austria
1934 Dolfuss affair (Nazis assassinate Austrian Chancellor)
1938 Hitler called on new Chancellor Schuschnigg to resign
Leader of Austria Nazi party Seyss-Inquart becomes new Chancellor
March 1938 German troops roll into Austria
“Plebiscite” is held -99.75% vote in favour of unification
The Appeasers’ reaction:
British do nothing and warn Schuschnigg not to cause trouble
The French won’t do anything without the British
Italy was the only objection, but Mussolini gave his approval.
Hitler to Mussolini, “Never, never, forget this, no matter what happened.”
The Sudentenland:
Ethnic German area of Czechoslovakia where 3.5 mil. Germans lived.
British P.M. Neville Chamberlain wants Czech leader, Benes to give up the Sudentenland
Hopes to prevent war
Hitler threatens to occupy
Neville Chamberlain and the Munich Agreement:
Mussolini steps in with a four power conference in Munich
Benes resigns in favour of Emil Hacha who agrees to the annexation
Neville Chamberlain proclaims “Peace in our Time”
Hitler still recognized Slovak state - moved in German troops to “protect” it
Hacha visits Hitler in March 1939 –gives up Czech independence
1935 Hitler introduces conscription in Germany
France, Britain and Italy form the Stresa front to condemn Hitler’s actions
1935 Mussolini signs naval agreement with Hitler
March 1936 Hitler remilitarizes the Rhineland (Breaking the Locarno Pact)
Anchluss, 1938:
Versailles forbade a unification of Germany and Austria
1934 Dolfuss affair (Nazis assassinate Austrian Chancellor)
1938 Hitler called on new Chancellor Schuschnigg to resign
Leader of Austria Nazi party Seyss-Inquart becomes new Chancellor
March 1938 German troops roll into Austria
“Plebiscite” is held -99.75% vote in favour of unification
The Appeasers’ reaction:
British do nothing and warn Schuschnigg not to cause trouble
The French won’t do anything without the British
Italy was the only objection, but Mussolini gave his approval.
Hitler to Mussolini, “Never, never, forget this, no matter what happened.”
The Sudentenland:
Ethnic German area of Czechoslovakia where 3.5 mil. Germans lived.
British P.M. Neville Chamberlain wants Czech leader, Benes to give up the Sudentenland
Hopes to prevent war
Hitler threatens to occupy
Neville Chamberlain and the Munich Agreement:
Mussolini steps in with a four power conference in Munich
Benes resigns in favour of Emil Hacha who agrees to the annexation
Neville Chamberlain proclaims “Peace in our Time”
Hitler still recognized Slovak state - moved in German troops to “protect” it
Hacha visits Hitler in March 1939 –gives up Czech independence