Remilitarisation
of the
Rhineland
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 7th 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.
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?
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
•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.
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.