Download hitler`s foreign policy

HITLER'S FOREIGN POLICY
THE CZECH CRISIS FACT FILE
Czechoslovakia. was established in 1928.
Population 14 million comprising:7 mill Czechs living in the cities
2 mill Slovaks living in rural areas
3 mill Sudeten Germans living in North and West
2 mill Other, Magyars, Ruthenians and Poles.
The Sudeten Germans were the best treated minorities in Central Europe.
They did have some minor grievances which the Czech government were slow
to act upon.
Czech’ was a Democratic Republic where the rights of minorities were
safeguarded. President until 1935 was Thomas Masaryk President after 1935
was Edward Benes.
BACKGROUND TO CRISIS
1933 Konrad Henlein founded the Sudeten German Party.
This was subsidised by 15,000 marks per month by the Nazis
Hitler instructed Henlein to begin to agitate for Sudeten independence prior to unity
with the 3rd. Reich.
1938 April
One month after the Anschluss Henlein announced his Karlsbad program for Sudeten
independence.
Hitler gave orders to him to increase his demands so that Czech Government could not
negotiate a settlement.
Under no circumstances was Henlein to come to any agreement with Benes.
1938 May
Czech forces mobilised after "false" rumours of German troop movements on her
borders.
In an unprecedented display of unity the French declared they would fulfil their mutual
aid pact with Czech should Germany attack them.
The Soviets followed suit, as did the British. Hitler had no option but to back down.
Hitler was furious and confirmed his unalterable intention to smash Czech by military
force.
His plan "Operation Green" went into action. He stationed 12 German divisions on
Czech border.
During 1938 negotiations continued between Czech government and Henlein.
Despite mediation by Britain's Lord Runciman and Benes agreeing to meet his Karlsbad
demands no solution was reached. Hungary and Poland now egged on by Hitler claimed
Slovakia and Teschen
CRISIS
1938 Sept. 12th
Hitler made an inflammatory speech at Nuremberg. This led to rioting by the Sudeten Germans.
At the Nuremberg rally Hitler renewed his demands for Sudeten "Self determination".
The Poles and Hungarians joined in.
Italy and Japan said they would side with Germany
The French reinforced the Maginot Line
Britain notified the Reich that the British fleet would shortly go on manoeuvres in the North Sea.
Europe was on the brink of war.
Chamberlain sent a telegram to Hitler suggesting a meeting.
They met at Berchtesgaden and agreement was reached on a plebiscite to find out which areas were in
favour of union with Germany.
Chamberlain felt that Hitler "was a man who could be relied on when he had given his word."
Chamberlain managed to get his government and the French to agree to this plan.
However behind the scenes Hitler was convinced that Czech would not agree to hand over the
Sudetenland therefore he orchestrated unrest and opposition to the Czech government.
He authorised the formation of a Sudeten Freikorps, which seized control of Sudeten towns.
He increased German military presence along the border
He encouraged the Poles and Hungarians to increase their territorial demands.
1938 Sept.
Chamberlain flew to Godesberg.
He had managed to get agreement that met all Hitler's demands.
Sudetenland was to be ceded to Germany without a plebiscite.
The Alliance between Czech, France and Russia would be replaced by an International guarantee of
Czech independence.
The Four Power Pact included Germany, Italy, France and Britain.
Hitler's plans to smash Czech would appear to have been scuppered.
However when the two men met Hitler said the situation had changed.
He was not very clear about this except a mention of unrest in Czech and raised the stakes.
He demanded withdrawal of Czech army from Sudetenland and Germany to take over by Oct.1st 1938
Czech army mobilised
Britain and France gave Czech their support but were determined not to go to war over Czech.
Russian warned Germany not to attack.
Britain began to prepare for war
Once more the allies were on the brink of war.
Hitler backed down and agreed to negotiate
A Conference of the Four powers was to be held in Munich.