Anschluss

when was the remilitarization of the Rhineland?

march 1936

what happened during the remilitarization of the Rhineland?

Wehrmacht soldiers rode into the region on tractors + horses and ordered to retreat if the French retaliated. Hitler chose to do this in the middle France’s election + domestic issues (preoccupied)

what was the reaction to the remilitarization of the Rhineland?

Neither London nor Brussels opposed, although backbench MP Churchill proposed military action to remove German troops

when was the Anschluss?

March 1938

who became chancellor of Austria after Dollfuss and why was he summoned by Hitler?

Schuschnigg, summoned due to increasing political instability + violence

what did Hitler demand Austrian chancellor Schuschnigg do?

appoint the Austrian Nazi, Arthur Seyss-Inquart as minister of the interior, and align Austria’s domestic, international + economic policy with Germany

what did Schuschnigg do instead of Hitler’s demand + Hitler’s response?

Held a vote which clearly showed want for Austrian independence. Hitler sent an ultimatum; relinquish power to the Austrian Nazi party or face invasion. After he sought help from Britain + France he resigned as chancellor and 2 days later Germany took control

what was the result of the Nazi-done plebiscite on Anschluss + when?

April 1938 - confirmed by 99.7%; almost certainly rigged

why was Britain reluctant to intervene after the Anschluss?

In Nov 1937 Viscount Halifax visited Germany on a ‘goodwill mission’ where he agreed they were ‘the bulwark against Bolshevism’. Crucially, he privately sympathised with Hitler’s aim of overturning the ToV and supported appeasement, suggesting Britain would as well

what was France’s reaction to the Anschluss?

incapacitated by a govt crisis; 4 days before the German invasion PM Chautemps resigned and his successor Leon Plum had not assumed office yet

what was Italy’s reaction to the Anschluss?

having signed up to the Stresa front they were concerned but was already committed in Abyssinia + Spanish civil war so had little choice but to accept the annexation