What you need to know: The background to the Czech Crisis. The events of the May crisis. The events of the three meetings between Hitler and Chamberlain. The terms of the Munich settlement The arguments for and against Munich The consequences of the Munich Settlement.

“Czechoslovakia has nothing to fear from the German Reich” Hitler after the Anschluss (March 1938) 1 st October 1938: German troops entered the Sudetenland.

Background Czechoslovakia had been created after WW1 from what had been part of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. The new state of Czechoslovakia had strengths: - Industrially advanced - Economically stable - Strong armaments industry - Airforce of 2,000 planes - Army of 1.5 million - France and Russia as allies

It also had weaknesses: - Minorities – many non Czechs - 50% Czech - Poles, Slovaks, Hungarians and Germans – 3 million. Konrad Henlein led Sudeten German Party. He caused problems for the Czech government by demanding self-rule or union with Germany. Sudeten German Party was financed by, and took orders from, the German Nazi Party.

Hitler was particularly interested in the Sudetenland because: - He wanted to unite all German speaking people. - It was the first step in taking all of Czechoslovakia. - It was strategically important for expansion in the east. Were his interests justified? - it was not a Treaty of Versailles issue. - the Sudetenland was never part of Germany. - but 1919 said people should not be ruled by foreign governments. “Self-determination”

May Crisis Benes – leader of the Czech government. He was under pressure from the Sudeten German Party to grant more rights. The Czech government mobilised their army after reports of unrest in Sudetenland and rumours that German troops had gathered on the border. Hitler was so angry he made plans to move against Czechoslovakia. “it is my unalterable decision to smash Czechoslovakia by military action in the near future”

Tension Increases Events in Czechoslovakia were worrying Chamberlain as unrest and violence were increasing. He worried Germany would intervene and trigger a major war. Chamberlain wanted the Czech government to grant concessions to Sudeten Germans in order to prevent conflict. Walter Runciman, the Liberal leader of the House of Lords was sent to Czechoslovakia to mediate. After several weeks of negotiations the Runciman mission achieved nothing as neither side would give way or concede anything.

By September of 1938 war seemed very close, and intelligence reports suggested a war was planned for autumn. At the Nuremburg Rally on the 12 th September Hitler demanded that Sudeten Germans should be allowed to choose if they wanted to join with Germany. Riots and demonstrations continued inside the Sudetenland. The Czech government used the army and many Sudeten's began to flee across the German border.

Berchtesgaden September 15 th 1938 – The First Meeting. Hitler and Chamberlain agreed in principle that that war could be avoided if Czechoslovakia handed over all areas with more than 50 % German population. Chamberlain left Germany to negotiate with his cabinet and the French Government. France agreed to this as a way of avoiding war. Czechoslovakia was shocked but agreed as they had no support from Britain and France.

Bad Godesberg Sept 22 nd 1938 – The Second Meeting Met to say that Czechs had agreed to Hitler's demands. But he had new demands - right to occupy the Sudetenland by force by October 1 st. - the Czechs also had to hand over territories which Poland and Hungary had claims over. Britain rejected the demands and started preparing for war. The French government rejected the demands and the Czech government got ready for war.

Munich 29 th September 1938 – The Third Meeting. Countries involved were Germany, Italy, Britain and France. Czechs and Russians were not invited. After 12 hours of talks Hitler was given nearly everything he had asked for at Bad Godesberg. The Czechs had no support from Britain and France and were forced to agree to the terms of the Munich Agreement. As a separate agreement Hitler assured Chamberlain that he had no further territorial claims in Europe. He also signed an agreement with Chamberlain that Britain and Germany would settle problems through consultation. Chamberlain was hailed a hero on his return to Britain and claimed there was “peace in our time ”

German troops entered the Sudetenland on the 1 st October. Hungary and Poland were quick to claim other areas of Czechoslovakia. Benes was force to admit defeat and resign. By March German troops had occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia