The Czechoslovakian The Czechoslovakian Problem and its AftermathProblem and its Aftermath

May CrisisMay Crisis

• 20 May 1938 – Hitler stated that he had no 20 May 1938 – Hitler stated that he had no intention of taking Czechoslovakia at the intention of taking Czechoslovakia at the presentpresent

• Rumours that Hitler was massing troops Rumours that Hitler was massing troops on the Czech border led Britain and on the Czech border led Britain and France ordering him not to actFrance ordering him not to act

• Hitler felt foolish – it appeared that he had Hitler felt foolish – it appeared that he had yielded to French and British pressureyielded to French and British pressure

28 May 193828 May 1938

I am utterly determined that Czechoslovakia should disappear from

the map!

30 May 193830 May 1938

It is my unalterable decision to smash Czechoslovakia by military action in the

near future.

Operation GreenOperation Green

• Hitler’s plan to take over CzechoslovakiaHitler’s plan to take over Czechoslovakia

• Hitler stated that it must be completed by 1 Hitler stated that it must be completed by 1 October 1938October 1938

Consequences of the May CrisisConsequences of the May Crisis

• It prompted Hitler to implement Operation GreenIt prompted Hitler to implement Operation Green• It scared western democraciesIt scared western democracies• They felt they had been taken to the brink of war They felt they had been taken to the brink of war

and believed the crisis had been manufactured and believed the crisis had been manufactured by the Czechsby the Czechs

• Chamberlain resolved to achieve a negotiated Chamberlain resolved to achieve a negotiated solution to the problem of Czechoslovakiasolution to the problem of Czechoslovakia

• This would inevitably be favourable to GermanyThis would inevitably be favourable to Germany

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-sudetenland/3869.html

15 September 193815 September 1938

• Chamberlain meets Hitler at Chamberlain meets Hitler at BerchtesgadenBerchtesgaden

• He agreed to Hitler’s demandsHe agreed to Hitler’s demands

• He would, however need the approval of He would, however need the approval of the French and Czech governmentsthe French and Czech governments

• Hitler didn’t think Chamberlain would get Hitler didn’t think Chamberlain would get agreement from the Czechs and that agreement from the Czechs and that Britain and France would abandon themBritain and France would abandon them