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The Munich Agreement 1938 Overview of the Munich Agreement • The Munich Agreement was signed in 1938 by Britain, France, Italy and Germany. • It was signed after fears of an outbreak of war during what was known as the “Czech Crisis” The Czech Crisis • Czechoslovakia was a country created by the hated Treaty of Versailles • Amongst its population were nearly 3 million German speaking people who lived in the Sudetenland area. • It also contained various other nationalities within its borders How did the crisis begin? • The Czech crisis developed for several reasons. • Firstly, Hitler had a deep rooted hatred of the mix of nationalities living in relative harmony in Czechoslovakia • Remember, Hitler wanted a “master” race • He hated the Slavs who were living there, as they had betrayed Germany in WW1. • Czechoslovakia also had alliances with France and Russia- Hitler viewed Russia as a future conquest • Czechoslovakia had a prominent strategic position, it was well protected by the mountainous terrain and had excellent airfields • It also served well for Hitler’s idea of Lebensraum The crisis unfolds • The Germans living in the Sudetenland never properly integrated into Czech life. • Possibly due to the presence of the Czech Nazi party headed by Konrad Henlein • 1935 witnessed the holding of an election in Czechoslovakia • Henlein and his party won 62% of the votes in the Sudetenland • This result was what Hitler needed to pressurise the Czech government into helping these “oppressed” Germans • Once again Hitler needed to begin a campaign and ensure he was not the aggressor. • He ordered Henlein to meet with the government and make demands to protect German people, knowing they would not or could not be met. • This would allow him to enter Czechoslovakia in order to protect the German population (a similar tactic used in the Anschluss) • When these demands were not met Hitler began “operation green” Operation Green • Operation Green was the order to his Generals to get prepared to attack Czechoslovakia • After rumours had been successfully spread in Czechoslovakia of a German invasion, the Czech army mobilised • Hitler then portrayed this as an act of aggression and duly mobilised his troops British response • Britain and France quickly realised the possibilities of war and sent a warning to Hitler • Again he pleaded his innocence, blaming the Czechs • Britain started putting pressure on Czech government to recognise the plight of Sudeten Germans • This became known as the “May Crisis” • As a way of gaining support, Hitler prompted both Hungary and Poland to enter Czechoslovakia and reclaim land they had lost – Teschen and Slovakia • This act would start to break up Czechoslovakia and help Hitler in his conquest Meeting between Benes and Henlein • Hitler next ordered Henlein to meet Czech President Benes with yet more demands, which included Home Rule for Sudeten Germans • When his demands were surprisingly met he pushed for more knowing they would be refused • He wanted Czech leaders punished for their actions towards Germans before any further negotiations took place. • Aware of the real possibilities of war, the French PM Daladier, urged Britain and Chamberlain to become involved • The British PM flew to meet Hitler at Berghof on 15th September, this would be the first of many important meetings. Hitler’s Three Meetings • The first of Chamberlain’s three meetings took place on 15th September 1938 in Berchtesgadin • Chamberlain was somewhat sympathetic to Hitler’s claims regarding Sudeten Germans • He was prepared to give Germany the Sudetenland • Chamberlain also came to an agreement with Hitler that any area of the Sudetenland with 50% German population would be handed to Germany • The Czechs were also made to agree to this “offer” • Hitler reluctantly agreed. • He quickly ordered his Freikorp troops to take the areas of the Sudetenland Meeting 2 Godesberg • Hitler met with Chamberlain on the 22nd of Sep 1938 in Godesberg to clarify details of previous meeting • However, Hitler had changed his requests • Not happy with gaining the Sudetenland he ordered the withdrawal of Czech troops by Sep 28th • Chamberlain was confused, he now had a problem • Refuse this offer and war would begin or once again give into his demands • Hitler made it clear he would take ALL of the Sudetenland, even if it meant war “Black Wednesday” • The people and government of Britain prepared for war • Trenches were dug in London and the forces were mobilised • Chamberlain described this action as “How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing. War is a fearful thing and we must be very clear before we embark on it that it is really great issues that are at stake” • Czechoslovakia also mobilised their army. The Munich Agreement • After Hitler’s threat of war the leaders met on the 28th September to try and avoid war • Mussolini chaired a meeting with Chamberlain and Hitler in Munich • Czechoslovakia were not invited • At Munich, Hitler got what he wanted at Godesberg • He would take the Sudetenland on 1st October • The allies would protect Czechoslovakian independence • Hitler stated this would be his “last territorial claim in Europe” • War had successfully been avoided. British Reactions • The people and politicians of Britain were divided over their reaction to the Munich Agreement • Many were aware that appeasing Hitler could no longer continue • Although some politicians resigned in disgust most supported Chamberlain’ s success • Public and press also supported the fact war had been avoided Other Reactions • • • • USA supported Chamberlain’s agreement French minister met by cheering crowds Dutch sent 4000 tulips to Chamberlain However, this success would be very short lived • Six months later Hitler proved why he could not be trusted as in March 1939 he invaded and took control of the rest of Czechoslovakia • He also more importantly took control of the Skoda arms factory • This invasion started to turn British people against the policy of appeasement • It now provided Hitler with a very important strategic position in which to continue with his expansion programme • He could now easily attack Poland which would leave Britain with a very tough decision to make!!