The Munich agreement

Main goal of German policy before WWII

expand German power.

Values emphasized by Hitler's regime

Nationalism & strength.

What gave the belief that Hitler could be satisfied?

The hope for negotiation and diplomacy.

What right did Germany claim for its expansion?

Germany had the right to expand its territory and that there were 3 millions Germans living there getting treated unfairly.

Motivation behind German expansionism

increase German territory and power.

What was Munich seen as?

A diplomatic solution for Britain and an opportunity for expansion for Germany

What territory did Germany want during the Munich Agreement?

Sudetenland.

What concession was made to preserve peace?

Ceding the Sudetenland to Germany.

What military situation influenced German strategy?

Britain needed time to rearm while Germany was rebuilding its military.

What was a key influence from WWI on German policy?

The desire to avoid another devastating WWI and resentment from the Treaty of Versailles.

Year of the Japanese invasion of Manchuria

$$1931$$

What helped Hitler demand and learn ( wider context )

In 1935, Mussolini’s Italy invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

Values held by Neville Chamberlain

• Peace
• Stability
• Avoiding unnecessary loss of life
• Negotiation and diplomacy
• Protecting Britain

What beliefs did chamberlain hold?

• Hitler could potentially be negotiated with.

• Some of Hitler’s demands were understandable from Germany’s perspective.

• War should be avoided if possible.

• Britain needed more time to prepare militarily.

What motivates did chamberlain have ?

• Prevent another devastating European war.

• Protect Britain from destruction.

• Give Britain time to rearm.

• Maintain European stability.

• Find a diplomatic solution to the Sudetenland crisis

Experiences of chamberlain

The First World War had demonstrated how destructive modern warfare could be. Britain had experienced enormous casualties and economic consequences.

An action chamberlain took ?

Chamberlain personally met Hitler several times in September 1938.

He went to Germany to negotiate rather than immediately choosing military action.

How does this demonstrate his perspective?

It demonstrates that Chamberlain believed diplomacy and negotiation could solve the crisis

What was Britain military stats?

• increased military preparations

• Britain only had 5 division ready to fight while Germany had 80

• Navy Britain had 75-80 while Germany had 70

• Britain aircraft went from 3,000 to 8,000 in a year, Germany only having 8,500 by that year

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A quote that shows the public’s and chamberlain perspective?

“ we left the conference conscious that the treat imposed upon our enemies were neither just or wise”

Who was the quote by ???

Harold Nicolson Britain diplomat in 1919.

When did Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland ?

1936

What was hitlers perspectives ?

Hitler’s perspective was that the Munich Agreement was an opportunity to gain the Sudetenland and increase German power. He believed that ethnic Germans living in the Sudetenland, approximately 3 million people, should be united with Germany. His perspective was influenced by his wider belief in German nationalism and expansion

What was chamberlain perspective ?

Chamberlain’s perspective on the Munich Agreement was that it was a way to preserve peace and prevent another major war in Europe. He believed that negotiating with Hitler and allowing Germany to gain the Sudetenland was better than going to war. Chamberlain was motivated by his desire to protect Britain and avoid the destruction and loss of life that had occurred during World War One.

Structure for chamberlain ?

WHAT? → Munich was a way to preserve peace.

BELIEF? → Negotiation was better than war.

MOTIVATION? → Protect Britain + avoid another WWI.

EXPERIENCE? → WWI had shown how destructive war could be.

MILITARY? → Britain needed more time to prepare.

ACTION? → Met Hitler 3 times + accepted Munich.

SO WHAT? → Chamberlain wanted peace, while Hitler wanted expansion.

Hitlers structure ?

WHAT? → Hitler wanted the Sudetenland and greater German power.

BELIEF → Ethnic Germans should be united with Germany.

MOTIVATION/VALUES → German nationalism + expansion + power.

EXPERIENCE → Rhineland (1936) + Anschluss (March 1938).

SO WHAT? → Those successes made Hitler more confident that Britain and France wouldn’t stop him.