THE REOCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND Germany Rearms

Hitler questions Why did he hate the Jews so much? He blamed the Jews for Germany’s defeat in WWI. He believed many of them were Communists. Anti-semitism was quite common in the era he was in Did he have Parkinson’s disease? There are rumours, but no actual evidence What went on up there? Is he 100% OK? There’s no official evidence that he was insane Was he a druggie? He didn’t smoke and was anti alcohol, but it has been said that he became addicted to amphetamine later in life How exactly did he die? He shot himself What civilians thought of him? While he had many private critics the public perception was that he was idolised

Why his wife married him? Not really sure about this, but evidence Suggests she was quite devoted to her. She was probably a little bit crazy, given she attempted suicide twice in the 1930s failing both times How did he get his moustache so neat? The toothbrush moustache as it known, was allegedly not his first choice. There was a rumour that he was told to do so by his commanding officer in WWI, so he could fit his gas mask What was his dog called? He had a german shepherd called Blondi from to The story goes that Blondi died testing the strength of a pill Hitler was going to take to commit suicide. The dog he had in WWI was called Fuchsl

Recap from yesterday’s lesson Questions What was Hitler angry about after WWI? What did he join the Workers Party? What was Mein Kampf about? Why did Hitler become so popular?

Legacy of Versailles After the Treaty of Versailles Germany was forbidden to have an army of more than 100,000 men Their navy was not allowed submarines and was limited to 6 battleships No airforce was permitted Hitler initially talked of living in peace and friendship with his neighbours and of doing away with armed forces entirely

1932 Disarmament Conference Held in Geneva Organised by the League of Nations Attended by 61 countries Aim: a reduction in general arms Germany argued that everyone needed to disarm to their low level, or be allowed to have some of the weapons other countries had France refused to co- operate, so Hitler withdrew from the conference and the League of Nations

Allies’ indecision Should Germany be left “to stew in her own juice”, or regain arms equality in her own way? Or should efforts be made to involve her in negotiations again and prevent Hitler’s nationalism from becoming aggressive and armed? Should force be used to keep Germany disarmed and docile

Re-armament (Aufrustung) After the conference failed, Germany began to re-arm at great speed A largely secret operation Led to full employment although no raise in wages Reinvigorated a number of stagnant factories and industries In 1935 Hitler announced that Germany already had a new Luftwaffe (air force) Hitler introduces conscription and increases the size of the German army to 500,000 He now felt powerful enough to challenge the Treaty of Versailles

Reoccupation of the Rhineland REMEMBER! It’s the demilitarised zone between France, Germany and Belgium. In the Treaty of Versailles, the Germans had to remove their troops from there and it was to be occupied by Allied forces in 15 years Remilitarisation “shall be regarded as committing a hostile act.... and as calculated to disturb the peace of the world” In the Treaty of Locarno, Germany had agreed to accept her western frontier with France and Belgium as final and settled In complete defiance of both treaties, Hitler ordered his troops to occupy the Rhineland in March 1936 The invasion went smoothly and Germany people living in the area welcomed the troops

Why invade the Rhineland? Lebensraum? It would make war in the West more practical for Germany He wanted to test the French He wanted to test the League of Nations A calculated gamble

Reaction to Reoccupation France do nothing and were unwilling to fight British wouldn’t do anything without the French League of Nations say it’s against the Treaties, but did nothing Hitler is pleased and confident he can make another bid for extra territory

“More than once, even during the war, I heard Hitler say; “The 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking of my life.” He always added. “If the French had then marched into the Rhineland, we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance.” PAUL SCHMIDT, Hitler’s interpreter

Consequences Hitler gaining in confidence His military gaining in strength Now in a better position for war He will continue to test his limits Allies showing a lack of strong decision- making and look weak as a result The League of Nations shows a lack of teeth