1. German Rearmament

2. In 1933, Hitler who was now Chancellor of Germany, left the Geneva Disarmament Conference in anger after it became clear that other members were not prepared to disarm This conference wanted Germany to rearm Britain believed that Germany should re-arm at a controlled rate and that this would be safer for world peace France was not happy about the prospect of German rearmament

3. Outcome of the Conference 1933 deal to reach equality in 5 years France changed this to 8 years Voted to ban aerial bombing and a limit on heavy artillery Ban on all chemical welfare Germany and Russia voted against this plan. Germany refused until other countries disarmed, when this was not agreed Hitler withdrew from the conference promising to rebuild German armed forces, a new arms race had began

4. Hitler on his return from the conference declared his actions as a great victory. In order to get the public support he held a plebiscite (vote) 95% of German people voted in favour of his plans for Germany He quickly set about a rebuilding programme safe in the knowledge that the L.O.N was too weak to stop him

5. Rearmament GermanyBritain Army 19391,720,000 men630,000 men Air force 1939 3,200 planes2,150 planes Battleships 1939 19 ships82 ships Smaller Ships 1939 50 ships173 ships Submarines 1939 8058

6. Plan to build up his armed forces He had 21 divisions by 1937 300,000 men Air force, Luftwaffe, by 1934 had 2000 planes Hitler made this an open secret to other countries He then announced this formally during the Abyssinian crisis (ITALY)

7. How did Britain react ? Britain being an island wanted to ensure Hitler was controlled in his rebuilding programme. To ensure safety of the seas they agreed the Anglo-German Naval deal in 1935. This would ensure – Germany would have ‘parity in the air’ Her naval forces could to be 35% of Britain's Equal submarines By agreeing this deal Britain would be secure in the knowledge that they would win any battle at sea. This agreement was made without Britain consulting her ally France.

8. British Public Reaction The British public viewed this agreement as a way of controlling Hitler as well as - Building up closer relationships And also allowing Germany to rebuild in order to defend herself. Overall public opinion was in favour of this agreement.