Remilitarisation of the Rhineland
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 3.5.5
Occupation of the Rhineland, 1936
In response to the 1935 Franco-Soviet Pact, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland-a violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
The Franco-Soviet Pact
- In 1935 the Franco-Soviet Pact was signed between France and the USSR.
- They promised to protect each other if there was an attack from Nazi Germany.
Hitler's response
- Hitler manipulated this by saying it was an act of aggression.
- He then sent his troops into the Rhineland which was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Testing the Allies
- At this time, Hitler’s army was still not strong enough if countries assembled to fight him after breaking the Treaty of Versailles.
- However, he took the risk to see how the Allies would react.
- They did nothing and, as a result, Hitler took back the Rhineland.
- This was a clear signal to Hitler he could do as he pleased.
Reasons for the Allied response
- The Allies did little to stop Hitler because:
- They felt he was taking back land that was simply his in the first place.
- They didn’t want a war over that area of land.
- They had enough domestic issues within their own countries to deal with.
Allied reactions
- This, however, was a sign to the Allies that they needed to re-arm. They did.
Test yourself on Remilitarisation of the Rhineland
Which pact was signed in 1935?
What was Hitler's response to the Franco-Soviet Pact of 1935?
What did the Allies do in response to Hitler's invasion of the Rhineland?