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1. Study sources A and B. How far do these sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.

1. Study sources A and B. How far do these sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.

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SOURCE B During February the British were considering the dangerous question of the demilitarised zone, though no immediate German move was expected. As it became clear that Hitler would soon grab his prize, the British government began to think about using the Rhineland as a bargaining chip. The British government would abandon its commitments with regard to the Rhineland, in an agreement with Germany negotiated behind France's back. Hitler achieved the full measure of surprise that he intended when the invasion took place on 7March. 22000 German soldiers entered the demilitarised zone. They were joined by paramilitary forces numbering some 14 000 who had been infiltrated earlier. There does not seem to have been any real anxiety in the German High Command about the situation, despite Hitler's momentary loss of nerve on 5 March. The successful military coup was accompanied by a peace offer intended to emphasise the peaceful nature of the Rhineland occupation. The French Prime Minister, in a broadcast to the French people, asserted that Strasbourg would not be left under German guns. His resolute words fell flat. The reaction of French newspapers was remarkably calm, reflecting the mood of most of the French public. The French government agreed that France would not engage in isolated action but there were differences between France and Britain about the best policy to follow. In the belief that the French wanted firm action, the British government favoured quick condemnation of the German move and the early opening of talks (that is, strong words but no retaliation). When the French appealed to the League, Goebbels wrote in his diary on 7 March, 'France will involve the League. Fine! It will not act. Nothing else matters.' It soon became clear that there would be little pressure from League members for retribution. There was no promise of any participation in collective action. Hitler had every reason for confidence. Nor did the response of the League's members suggest that he would be challenged in the future. From a history book published in 2011. 1. Study sources A and B. How far do these sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.
Transcribed Image Text:SOURCE B During February the British were considering the dangerous question of the demilitarised zone, though no immediate German move was expected. As it became clear that Hitler would soon grab his prize, the British government began to think about using the Rhineland as a bargaining chip. The British government would abandon its commitments with regard to the Rhineland, in an agreement with Germany negotiated behind France's back. Hitler achieved the full measure of surprise that he intended when the invasion took place on 7March. 22000 German soldiers entered the demilitarised zone. They were joined by paramilitary forces numbering some 14 000 who had been infiltrated earlier. There does not seem to have been any real anxiety in the German High Command about the situation, despite Hitler's momentary loss of nerve on 5 March. The successful military coup was accompanied by a peace offer intended to emphasise the peaceful nature of the Rhineland occupation. The French Prime Minister, in a broadcast to the French people, asserted that Strasbourg would not be left under German guns. His resolute words fell flat. The reaction of French newspapers was remarkably calm, reflecting the mood of most of the French public. The French government agreed that France would not engage in isolated action but there were differences between France and Britain about the best policy to follow. In the belief that the French wanted firm action, the British government favoured quick condemnation of the German move and the early opening of talks (that is, strong words but no retaliation). When the French appealed to the League, Goebbels wrote in his diary on 7 March, 'France will involve the League. Fine! It will not act. Nothing else matters.' It soon became clear that there would be little pressure from League members for retribution. There was no promise of any participation in collective action. Hitler had every reason for confidence. Nor did the response of the League's members suggest that he would be challenged in the future. From a history book published in 2011. 1. Study sources A and B. How far do these sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.
WHY DID HITLER GET AWAY WITH THE MILITARISATION OF THE RHINELAND IN 1936? Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. Background Information The Treaty of Versailles stated that although the Rhineland remained part of Germany, no German troops or any German fortifications were to be allowed there. Since coming to power in 1933, Hitler had been determined to reverse this situation. In 1935 France and the USSR signed a treaty of mutual support. Hitler claimed this treaty was hostile to Germany and hastened the development of secret plans for remilitarising the Rhineland. In 1936 Britain developed plans to offer Germany remilitarisation in exchange for arms limitations. However, on 7 March German troops marched into the Rhineland. There has been much disagreement about why Hitler was able to get away with this. Was it because he knew that Britain was sympathetic and would do nothing to stop him? SOURCE A Using as his excuse the French-Soviet Pact, Hitler sent a token force of 22 000 troops into the Rhineland. As they marched the inhabitants of German cities were at first stupefied and then jubilant. Laughing girls showered the soldiers with flowers. Many Rhinelanders expected the French to retaliate and the German Defence Minister was ashen-faced with anxiety. Hitler offered a 25-year non-aggression pact with France but that evening 15000 stormtroopers paraded in Berlin singing 'For today we own Germany and tomorrow the entire world'. This was exactly what the French feared. The French Prime Minister broadcast a reply. If acts like this were permitted, he said, there could be no peace; France would neither negotiate under menace nor let 'Strasbourg once again come again under the fire of German guns'. However, at this time concession was almost inevitable. Germany's occupation of the Rhineland was one of the most heavily telegraphed moves in Europe since 1918, yet French governments had made no plans to react and the government at the time was surprised. The French army was organised for defence and did not possess a single unit ready for combat. Most of the government ministers were equally passive and France's British ally could not accept the risk of war. However, what ultimately paralysed France was the state of public opinion. The vast bulk of the population were revolted at the prospect of another war. This was the most frequent comment heard on the streets of Paris, and seen in newspapers that the French rushed out to buy. 'Above all, no war,' announced 'L'Action Française'. From a history book published in 2000.
Transcribed Image Text:WHY DID HITLER GET AWAY WITH THE MILITARISATION OF THE RHINELAND IN 1936? Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. Background Information The Treaty of Versailles stated that although the Rhineland remained part of Germany, no German troops or any German fortifications were to be allowed there. Since coming to power in 1933, Hitler had been determined to reverse this situation. In 1935 France and the USSR signed a treaty of mutual support. Hitler claimed this treaty was hostile to Germany and hastened the development of secret plans for remilitarising the Rhineland. In 1936 Britain developed plans to offer Germany remilitarisation in exchange for arms limitations. However, on 7 March German troops marched into the Rhineland. There has been much disagreement about why Hitler was able to get away with this. Was it because he knew that Britain was sympathetic and would do nothing to stop him? SOURCE A Using as his excuse the French-Soviet Pact, Hitler sent a token force of 22 000 troops into the Rhineland. As they marched the inhabitants of German cities were at first stupefied and then jubilant. Laughing girls showered the soldiers with flowers. Many Rhinelanders expected the French to retaliate and the German Defence Minister was ashen-faced with anxiety. Hitler offered a 25-year non-aggression pact with France but that evening 15000 stormtroopers paraded in Berlin singing 'For today we own Germany and tomorrow the entire world'. This was exactly what the French feared. The French Prime Minister broadcast a reply. If acts like this were permitted, he said, there could be no peace; France would neither negotiate under menace nor let 'Strasbourg once again come again under the fire of German guns'. However, at this time concession was almost inevitable. Germany's occupation of the Rhineland was one of the most heavily telegraphed moves in Europe since 1918, yet French governments had made no plans to react and the government at the time was surprised. The French army was organised for defence and did not possess a single unit ready for combat. Most of the government ministers were equally passive and France's British ally could not accept the risk of war. However, what ultimately paralysed France was the state of public opinion. The vast bulk of the population were revolted at the prospect of another war. This was the most frequent comment heard on the streets of Paris, and seen in newspapers that the French rushed out to buy. 'Above all, no war,' announced 'L'Action Française'. From a history book published in 2000.
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