The Reoccupation of the Rhineland

March 1936

Aims:

• Where the Rhineland region was.• Why Hitler was determined to

reoccupy the Rhineland.• Reactions to the reoccupation.

Where is the Rhineland???

1. Collect a map of Europe and an atlas.2. Find a map of Germany in the atlas.3. Locate the River Rhine.4. Trace the River Rhine onto your map.5. Shade in the area west of the River Rhine

red and label it ‘The Rhineland, March 1936’.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?openMap=true&ethylCobjId=992

The Importance of the Rhineland

• 15 million Germanslived in the Rhineland.

• France had originally wanted the area incorporated into herself.

• It had been demilitarised through the Treaty of Versailles.

• Demilitarisation had been reinforced through the 1925 Treaty of Locarno.

Why Important

Hitler needed control of his borders before he could turn his attention to his other foreign policy aims.

He wanted to test the reaction of Britain and France.

A successful remilitarisation would enhance his reputation within Germany.

This may not be seen as overtly aggressive as it is German territory.

• Complete questions 2 and 4 from page 18 of your work guide.

Reaction to the Reoccupation

Aims:

• Examine the reaction of the British and French after Germany reoccupied the Rhineland.

• Understand how to use a cartoon to identify opinions.

The German Reaction

• German troops were welcomed by the German people as they entered the Rhineland.

• Hitler tried to show other countries in Europe that there was nothing to worry about.

• Hitler made vague promises to:

1) Negotiate a new demilitarised zone.2) Return to the League3) Begin disarmament talks again.

6.

1.

5.

2.

4.

3.

Rhineland Cartoon

Part of Cartoon

Describe What You See

What Does This Represent?

1

2

3

4

5

6

Rhineland Cartoon

• The Germans were planning to conquer countries just like the Ancient Romans.

• The German army was rearming.• The warm welcome the Germany army

received in the Rhineland.• A symbol of peace – Hitler made vague

offers to reassure countries.• Germany’s actions had broken a treaty.• The form of marching that the German

used.

The French Reaction

• Thought the German army was much bigger than it actually was.

• They would not take action without support from Britain

The British Reaction

‘They are only going into their own back garden’

Lord Lothian

Military intervention would be ‘out of proportion to what Germany had done’

Stanley Baldwin – Prime Minister

The British Reaction

Overall there was no desire to take action:

• No great opposition from public.• Many politicians felt that the Treaty of

Versailles had been too harsh on Germany• Franco-Soviet Pact made Germany feel

threatened.• The Rhineland was German territory• Hitler’s offers calmed any fears.

How useful is this source as evidence of Britain’s reaction to the Reoccupation of the Rhineland?

Purpose

DateAuthorship

Detail

BiasExaggeration

Hitler’s Viewpoint

‘The 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking of my life. If the French has then marched into the Rhineland, we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs.’

British Viewpoints‘The Treaty of Versailles was far too hard on Germany. Germany is attacking nobody. They are not threatening anyone. As Lord Lothian said yesterday, Hitler is only moving troops into his own back garden. How can we possibly punish the Germans for moving soldiers into their own country. Has Germany attacked anyone? No. Has Germany invaded anyone? No. Hitler has simply taken steps to protect Germany’s borders. By allowing Hitler to alter the treaty slightly we remove another cause of argument between us and the Germans’

British Foreign Secretary, Sir Anthony Eden, March 1936.

British Viewpoints

‘Hitler is on the warpath. Last year he rearmed, and broke the treaty. This year he has moved troops into the Rhineland, and broken the treaty. What next? How long will we hide from the reality that this man is a threat to European peace. We must do something to stop him now!’

The East Lothian News, March 1936

• Complete activities 11, 12 and 13 from pages 20-21 of your work guide.

• If you were alive in 1936 would you agree to send young British soldiers to fight and possibly die in the Rhineland?

• Write a short paragraph outlining your view.

• Now copy the paragraph ‘Consequences of the Remilitarisation of the Rhineland’ at the bottom of page 21.