Annexations and Occupations: Hitlers Diplomatic Conquests, 1936-1939

The Rhineland

Between 1933 and 1935, Hitler was secretly rebuilding the German army. On March 16, 1935, he publically announced that he was going to form 36 German divisions. Secretly Hitler ordered Hermann Goering to build an Air Force – a ‘Black Luftwaffe’ – and also made a program for building up the German navy. The western Allies did nothing to counter this threat, though it was in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

On March 7, 1936, Hitler sent an army into the Rhineland, on the western border of Germany. This violated not only the Treaty of Versailles, but also the Locarno Treaty which Germany had signed on their free will. When Hitler ordered his troops into the Rhineland, he was taking a calculated risk. Legally, the French army could have forced the Germans out. The French army was larger than the German army. Hitler later said, “The forty-eight hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had marched into the Rhineland, we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs. The military resources at our disposal were wholly inadequate.” “A retreat on our part would have spelt collapse. What saved us was my amazing aplomb.” Europe did not react. They could have crushed Hitler without much cost to themselves. They did not lift a finger. France and Britain wanted to avoid another war. They refused to resist Hitler when he was weak. Within a year, Hitler was in control of the largest army and air force in the world.

Austria

On February 12, 1938, Hitler hosted Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg, the Chancellor of Austria, in his villa on the Alps. Schuschnigg was there thinking that they were to discuss some political differences. Starting to comment on the fine view of the Alps, Hitler cut him off. “We did not gather here to speak of the fine view or weather.” “You have done everything to avoid a friendly policy. The whole history of Austria is just one uninterrupted act of high treason. I can tell you right now, Herr Schuschnigg, that I am absolutely determined to make an end of all this.” Schuschnigg was taken aback, and vainly tried to defend his country. Hitler went on: “I’m telling you once that things cannot go on this way! I have a historic mission, and this mission I will fulfill because Providence has destined me to do so! Who is not with me will be crushed.” Schuschnigg realized that Austria was the one to be crushed.

Hitler finally gave his ultimatum. Schuschnigg was to give important government positions to the Austrian Nazis, which had been outlawed after an attempted coup. Since that party was under Hitler’s control, it would be the same as surrendering to Him. If they did not, Hitler would send his troops in. Schuschnigg capitulated, and gave up his post to Artur von Syss-Inquart.

Hitler said that the Austrian people could have a vote, to see if they wished to be ‘free and independent.’ The voting was to take place on March 13. Hitler knew that they would vote for freedom, and so on March 11 he sent his troops into Austria, and the voting never took place. Instead, the public was informed that Austria and Germany had united, without giving the people a choice.

Czechoslovakia

 Hitler now turned to the Czechoslovakian–occupied Sudetenland. He demanded that the Czech’s ‘return’ it to Germany (even though it had formerly belonged to Austria, not Germany). Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, actually was willing to sacrifice the Sudetenland for peace in Europe. He didn’t realize that Hitler’s victories only whetted his appetite for more. In mid-September of 1938, Chamberlain had convinced the Czechoslovakian government to give up the Sudetenland peacefully. He informed Hitler of this on September 22. Hitler told him that he was increasing his demands on Czechoslovakia, and that his plan was not of any use.

At the Munich Conference, with Germany, Italy, France, and Great Britain on the night of September 29-30, Hitler finally got his way. All of those countries agreed that Hitler could have the Sudetenland. Even after this victory, Hitler wanted more. He later said, “That fellow Chamberlain has spoiled my entry into Prague.”

On March 15, 1939, Hitler received the Emil Hacha, President of Czechoslovakia, in Berlin. He granted him an audience at 1:15 AM. Hitler informed Hacha that Czechoslovakia was going to be ‘introduced’ into the Third Reich. Hacha asked Hitler to be generous, and allow the Czechs ‘the right to live a national life.’ However, Hitler would not have it that way. “I have warned you that unless Czechoslovakia mended its ways I would destroy this nation completely! It has not mended its ways! So I have given the order for the invasion of German troops for the incorporation of Czechoslovakia into the German Reich!” Hitler said that that very morning, his troops would enter “Czechia”. Hacha had two choices. Either resist, and be annihilated, or surrender immediately. Hitler told Hacha that for every Czech battalion ready to resist, he had a German division ready to suppress it. “I am doing all this not from hatred, but in order to protect Germany. If last autumn Czechoslovakia had not given in, the Czech people would have been exterminated! No one could have prevented me from doing it! The world would not have cared a jot. I sympathize with the Czech people. That is why I have asked you to come here. This is the last good turn I can render the Czech people. Perhaps your visit may prevent the worst. The hours are passing. At 6:00 AM the troops will march in.”

Hitler said he would give the Czech president a bit of time to think it over. He dismissed him at 2:15 AM. In the next room, Hermann Goering and Joachim von Ribbentrop continued to hound Hacha to surrender, pushing a pen into his hand. Down the hall, Goering was heard calling for a doctor. “Hacha has fainted!” Hitler’s personal physician revived him with injections. Under all the pressure, Hacha gave in. Hitler rushed down to a secretary’s office, and said, “Children! This is the greatest day in my life! I shall go down in history as the greatest German!” Hitler went down in history all right. With his diplomatic bullying over, Hitler went to war. This was the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany.

Sources:

Best Little Stories of World War II – C. Brian Kelly

The Rise & Fall of Adolf Hitler – William L Shirer

library.thinkquest.org

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia