In March 1936, Nazi troops under the banner of Adolf Hitler marched into the Rhineland – an act prohibited by the Locarno Treaties (1925) and the Treaty of Versailles (1919). At face value, the Rhineland appears to be a somewhat insignificant stretch of land compared to the monolithic European continent. However, Hitler's remilitarisation of the territory had an unprecedented impact on European history. Let's dive into Hitler's remilitarisation of the Rhineland!
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenIn March 1936, Nazi troops under the banner of Adolf Hitler marched into the Rhineland – an act prohibited by the Locarno Treaties (1925) and the Treaty of Versailles (1919). At face value, the Rhineland appears to be a somewhat insignificant stretch of land compared to the monolithic European continent. However, Hitler's remilitarisation of the territory had an unprecedented impact on European history. Let's dive into Hitler's remilitarisation of the Rhineland!
Here is a brief summary of the German remilitarisation of the Rhineland:
Part of Western Germany, the Rhineland lies on the River Rhine and borders Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. During the Napoleonic wars, the territory was part of France before being incorporated into Prussia in 1815. Throughout its history, the Rhineland was significant due to its vast mineral-rich lands and location on the River Rhine.
After the First World War had ended, the Allies occupied the Rhineland. The Treaty of Versailles (1919) prohibited German forces from the Rhineland, with the Locarno Treaties (1925) ordering the permanent demilitarisation of the region.
In June 1919, Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially marking the end of the First World War. The Treaty demanded that Germany demilitarise, cede territory, forsake its overseas colonies, pay financial reparations, and take total responsibility for the First World War.
One of the conditions stipulated in the Treaty of Versailles was the demilitarisation of the Rhineland; the German Army was forbidden from lands within 50 km east or west of the River Rhine. Despite such harsh terms, Germany had no room to negotiate, signing the Treaty on 28 June 1919.
In 1925 Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium met in Locarno, Italy. The nations signed the Locarno Treaties – a series of measures to guarantee European peace. One of the key themes at Locarno was Germany's Western border with France and Belgium, specifically that of the Rhineland. It was agreed that the Rhineland would remain permanently demilitarised and arranged for the withdrawal of Allied troops who had been occupying the region.
The Rhineland was an area of huge economic and military importance. The mineral-rich territory acted as a natural barrier to potential invasions. Because of this, the Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Pact ordered the demilitarisation of the area. It was hoped that the demilitarisation of the Rhineland would deter both Germany and France from building up their military. Let's look at some critical factors for the importance of remilitarising the Rhineland for Germany.
Factor | Importance for Germany |
Economy and Industry | Historically, the Rhineland had been a region of significant industrial importance for Germany. The Rhineland was rich in minerals such as coal and iron. |
Defence | The Rhineland was a barrier between Germany and France. The River Rhine would act as a natural barrier if a war broke out between these two rivals. Hitler also knew that without the Rhineland, Germany was vulnerable to invasion. |
Nationalism | By reoccupying the Rhineland, Hitler was able to denounce the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact, thus stirring up nationalist sentiment. |
The Great Depression | The Great Depression (1929-1933) crippled the German economy. Remilitarising the Rhineland required troops and weapons, which would help alleviate unemployment in the country. |
On 7 March 1936, the Wehrmacht (German Army) marched over the River Rhine into the Rhineland – an act prohibited by both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. Interestingly, Hitler ordered the Wehrmacht to evacuate immediately if the French responded by deploying their military.
For Hitler, invading the Rhineland was a monumental risk. If France had responded and the German Army had been forced to retreat, he would have looked incredibly foolish. Hitler later admitted that the remilitarisation of the Rhineland was one of the most nervous times of his entire political career.
While France vehemently disagreed with the German occupation, they were in no position to do anything. The country was going through a financial and political crisis and had no means of tackling Nazi Germany alone.
For Britain, the situation in the Rhineland was of no interest. They and the League of Nations were far too preoccupied with the Abyssinian Crisis. Furthermore, many people in Britain empathised with the Germans' standpoint, believing that they were merely expanding into their own backyard.
The Abyssinian Crisis
The Abyssinian Crisis took place between 3 October 1935 and 9 May 19. The crisis saw Benito Mussolini's Italy invade Abyssinia. Abyssinian leader Haile Selassie asked the League of Nations to help. The League condemned Italy and tried (and failed) to impose economic sanctions on Italy.
In March 1936, the Council of the League of Nations met in London to discuss the actions of Nazi Germany. While the Council condemned Germany's movements and declared that Hitler had breached both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact, no tangible action was taken. In fact, Maxim Litvinov – the delegate for the Soviet Union – was the only person to vote in favour of sanctions against Germany.
The German remilitarisation of the Rhineland had several significant consequences:
The weakness of France, Britain, and the League of Nations during the German remilitarisation of the Rhineland prompted Hitler to be more aggressive with his foreign policy. Such aggression eventually led to the invasion of Poland and the beginning of the Second World War.
Here is a brief timeline outlining the road to war:
Date | Event |
March 1936 | Germany remilitarised the Rhineland, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. |
March 1938 | Germany occupied Austria. |
September 1938 | The Munich Agreement allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland. |
March 1939 | Nazi Germany occupied Western Czechoslovakia. |
September 1939 | Hitler invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany. Second World War began. |
The remilitarisation of the Rhineland proved to Hitler that Britain, France, and the League of Nations would not stand in his way. This prompted him to be more aggressive with his foreign policy.
After seeing that Britain, France, and the League of Nations would not stand in his way, Hitler accelerated his plans for European domination.
The German militarisation of the Rhineland occurred in March 1936.
Whilst France vehemently disagreed with the German occupation, they were in no position to do anything. The country was going through a financial and political crisis and had no means of tackling Nazi Germany by itself. For Britain, the situation in the Rhineland was of no interest. They, along with the League of Nations, were far too preoccupied with the Abyssinian Crisis. Furthermore, there were many people in Britain, who empathised with the German standpoint, believing that the Germans were merely expanding into their own backyard.
The invasion of the Rhineland was important as it showed Hitler that France, Britain and the League of Nations would not react to his aggressive foreign policy.
When did Adolf Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland?
March 1936
Remilitarising the Rhineland violated which treaties?
The Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact
Why was the Rhineland important?
The mineral-rich territory acted as a natural barrier to potential invasions.
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
28 June 1919
What orders were the German Army given when marching into the Rhineland?
To retreat if met with French resistance.
Why did Britain do nothing when Hitler invaded the Rhineland?
They were preoccupied with the Abyssinian Crisis and somewhat empathised with Germany's position.
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