1. Remilitarisation of the Rhineland

2. Saar The Treaty of Versailles permitted France to occupy the Saarland, an area created in the aftermath of WWI, to guarantee reparation payments The agreement was, after 15 years a plebiscite would be held to decide what the people of the Saar land wanted – remain under French rule or become part of Germany In January 1935,90.3% of the people voted in favour of German control. Hitler claimed this as a victory and was ready to gain “lebensraum” for the German people.

3. How did this benefit Hitler’s foreign policy? Hitler’s foreign policy depended on making territorial gains to ensure lebensraum Hitler had to continue to revise the Treaty of Versailles However, at present Hitler was aware Germany was not strong enough to fight a war. To carry out his policy he would have to attempt not to upset Britain and France to avoid war.

4. Hitler looks for reasons to act! In 1935, France looked to Russia to form friendship Germany realised that France would be breaking Locarno terms to leave Eastern Europe alone France also realised Germany would view this as ‘encirclement’ By 1936, Hitler was ready to take advantage of the situation If France would not disarm, Hitler felt Germany needed to “protect” her borders.

5. Remilitarisation of the Rhineland The Treaty of Versailles ordered the Rhineland to be demilitarised. This meant that no German soldiers or military bases were allowed on the Rhineland. This was to make France feel safer. From Germany’s point of view the German border with France was unprotected and the French could attack at any time. The agreement France had with Russia also came into effect in February 1936 Hitler felt threatened and surrounded.

6. Remilitarisation of the Rhineland Hitler wanted to expand but before he could do this he had to make sure Germany was safe from attack from France. On 7 th March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland, against the rules of the Treaty of Versailles. REMEMBER – The Rhineland always belonged to Germany! It was only demilitarised to make France feel more secure.

7. Remilitarisation of the Rhineland German generals were reluctant to invade the Rhineland Hitler had assured them that they would withdraw immediately if there was any opposition. Hitler marched unchallenged into the Rhineland and successfully remilitarised it. Did Britain or France react? No! WHY?

8. Hitler’s Agreement Hitler promised the British and French: A non-aggression pact with everyone for 25 years A new equal de-militarised zone for the French To rejoin the League of Nations if the treaty was separate from it. Also to negotiate on the amount of aircraft he was going to have. Britain were happy with this agreement as they did not want war in a “foreign country” They were also unprepared for war

9. Britain also seen Hitler’s actions as him taking back what was rightfully his (Germany’s) France lost respect due to their lack of fight. But as Britain were not prepared to fight France would have been on her own.

10. Response in Germany Hitler’s status inside Germany was enhanced. Hitler’s control over his army generals now more secure. Germany, having secured her western borders, could now begin to think of expanding eastwards as France would find it difficult to intervene. Hitler was now on his way, unopposed, to expanding German territory.