The Rhineland (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
The Rhineland
Background and escalating tensions
From the moment Hitler rose to power as chancellor in 1933, tensions across Europe had been steadily building. These tensions reached a critical point in March 1936 when Hitler made the bold decision to send German forces into the Rhineland, directly violating the Treaty of Versailles.
What made the Rhineland so significant?
The Rhineland was a strategically crucial region located along the Rhine River. While it remained part of German territory, it sat directly on the border with the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, making it a vital buffer zone between the two nations.
The Rhineland's strategic location made it one of the most important territories in European geopolitics. Control of this region could determine the balance of power between Germany and France, explaining why the Treaty of Versailles specifically targeted it for demilitarisation.
Under the terms imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was strictly forbidden from maintaining any military presence in this area. The treaty prohibited German troops, weapons, and defensive fortifications in the Rhineland, specifically designed to protect France from potential future German aggression.
Hitler's expansionist policy of Lebensraum (living space) meant he intended to acquire territory from neighbouring countries. He understood that if he pursued this aggressive expansion, both France and Britain would likely respond with force. Therefore, he needed to strengthen Germany's western defences first, making the remilitarization of the Rhineland a strategic priority.
The march into the Rhineland
The events leading up to the reoccupation unfolded through several key developments:
In 1935, France and the Soviet Union had signed a mutual support agreement, pledging to assist each other against potential German aggression. Hitler cleverly used this Franco-Soviet Pact as justification for his actions, arguing that it created a hostile alliance that threatened Germany's security.
Hitler's use of the Franco-Soviet Pact as justification was a calculated political move. By framing his aggression as a defensive response to an "encircling alliance," he sought to legitimise his violation of international law and gain domestic and international sympathy.
On March 7, 1936, approximately 22,000 German troops crossed into the Rhineland. Rather than meeting resistance, the soldiers were welcomed by many local residents who greeted them with flowers, demonstrating significant German popular support for Hitler's bold move.
A dangerous gamble
Hitler's decision to remilitarize the Rhineland was an enormous risk that could have backfired catastrophically. His own army generals strongly advised against the operation, warning that if France chose to enforce the Treaty of Versailles terms, Germany's military was neither large enough nor sufficiently equipped to mount an effective defence.
The Scale of Hitler's Gamble
The German military in 1936 was still relatively weak and rebuilding. If France had responded with force, Germany would likely have been defeated quickly, potentially ending Hitler's regime and changing the course of history. This demonstrates how close Europe came to a very different outcome.
The generals cautioned Hitler that military failure would result in financial obligations that could devastate the German economy and potentially destroy the country's recovery efforts.
International responses
Britain's reaction: British public opinion showed considerable sympathy towards Germany's actions. Many British citizens believed Hitler was justified in securing his nation's borders and reclaiming what they saw as rightfully German territory. Additionally, Britain was dealing with the economic challenges of the Great Depression, which made military intervention less appealing. The recent Italian invasion of Abyssinia had already stretched British military resources thin, with troops deployed to protect colonial interests in neighbouring regions.
Britain's sympathetic response reflected both war-weariness from World War I and a widespread belief that the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany. This attitude of appeasement would continue to influence British policy throughout the 1930s.
France's response: France found itself in a particularly difficult position during this crisis. The country was in the middle of national elections, and launching a war would have been politically costly, especially since many French citizens believed the German military was much stronger than it actually was. Like Britain, France had been dealing with the aftermath of the Abyssinian Crisis and was focused on protecting its colonial territories.
France's hesitation was also influenced by the trauma of World War I, which had devastated French territory and killed over a million French soldiers. The prospect of another war on French soil was deeply unpopular among the French public.
Consequences of the reoccupation
The successful remilitarization of the Rhineland had several significant long-term effects:
With Germany's western border now secure, Hitler gained confidence and felt emboldened to pursue his Lebensraum policy in Eastern Europe. This marked a turning point in his aggressive expansion plans.
The crisis led to important diplomatic realignments. Mussolini, recognising Hitler as a force to be taken seriously, decided to align Italy more closely with Germany, ultimately leading to the formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis.
Britain responded by reaffirming the Locarno Treaty, which committed to protecting France and Belgium in case of German attack, though this proved to be more symbolic than practical.
Timeline of key events
- 1933: Hitler becomes German chancellor; tensions begin to escalate
- 1935: France and USSR sign mutual support pact
- March 7, 1936: 22,000 German troops enter the Rhineland
- 1936: Formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis following the crisis
Key Points to Remember:
- The Rhineland was a demilitarised buffer zone between Germany and France, prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles
- Hitler's reoccupation on March 7, 1936, with 22,000 troops was a massive gamble that could have ruined Germany
- Britain showed sympathy for German actions while France was distracted by domestic elections
- The successful reoccupation gave Hitler confidence to pursue further expansion and led to the Rome-Berlin Axis
- This event marked a crucial escalation in tensions leading towards the Second World War