THE RE-OCCUPATION OF THE RHINELAND, 1936

Causes

Remilitarisation of the Rhineland was a natural policy arising from Hitler’s promise to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, and it was a very popular policy in Germany, where people hated the injustice that Germany’s army was excluded from part of Germany. 

It was also useful because – as the economic crisis in Germany continued – Hitler needed a foreign policy success to take people’s minds off problems at home. 

The EXCUSE was the Franco-Soviet Treaty of March 1936, which Hitler argued threatened Germany’s security, and

The OPPORTUNITY was the Abyssinian Crisis, 1935–36, which was distracting the League, Britain and France. 

Events

On 12 February 1936, Hitler authorised the ‘Operation Winter Exercise’ to remilitarise the Rhineland.

The next day, 13 February, the British – already trying always to negotiate/appease – offered a ‘General Settlement’ – to allow German remilitarisation in return for a promise not to bomb Britain.  Hitler ignored them.

On 7 March 1936, 19 German battalions crossed the Rhine; fearing war with France, Hitler had given them orders to retreat if opposed. 

Indeed the French did suggest a joint attack (11 March 1936), but when Britain refused to participate, decided they could not do so alone. 

The League formally condemned Hitler on 19 March 1936, but only the USSR supported sanctions (do you see why the USSR lost faith in the League and the Western democracies to stop Hitler, and eventually made the Nazi-Soviet Pact?)

Results

Remilitarisation, 7 March 1936 -- Germany occupied the Rhineland and its military fortifications. 

German troops were welcomed into Strasbourg as conquering heroes

Hitler had broken Article 180 of the Treaty – and got away with it.  It raised his prestige and encouraged him – he began to form that opinion that Britain and France were ‘worms’ and that he could demand what he liked and get it. 

And it was one more nail in the coffin of the League, which everybody realised was powerless to stop Hitler.