17/12/23, 18:58 German Challenges to Post-War Settlements (3.2.

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IB DP HISTORY STUDY NOTES

3.2.4 German Challenges to Post-

War Settlements
Study Notes IB DP History
3: The Move To Global War 3.2 German And Italian Expansion (1933–1940)
3.2.4 German Challenges To Post-War Settlements

After the First World War, Germany found itself subjugated by the Treaty of Versailles, a treaty
many Germans perceived as deeply unjust. As the Nazi Party rose to prominence, it sought to
challenge and dismantle the constraints of this treaty and other post-war settlements.

Challenges to the Treaty of Versailles and

Other Post-War Agreements
The Treaty of Versailles was especially reviled in Germany for several reasons:

Territorial Losses: Germany lost about 13% of its European territory. Key regions such as the
Saar Basin were put under international control, and the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine
went back to France. This not only bruised German pride but also had significant
economic implications.

Disarmament: The treaty imposed strict limitations on the size and capacity of the
German military. The army was capped at 100,000 men, and the country was prohibited
from having submarines, aircraft, and tanks.

Reparations: Germany was saddled with vast reparations, amounting to 132 billion gold
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War Guilt Clause: This infamous clause forced Germany to accept full responsibility for
causing the war. For a proud nation, this was a significant humiliation.

Given these impositions, it's not surprising that once the Nazis came to power, they actively
sought ways to oppose and overturn the treaty's stipulations.

Remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936)

The Rhineland's remilitarisation was one of the first bold moves by Hitler to reclaim German
sovereignty.

Background: As part of the Versailles Treaty, the Rhineland was demilitarised to serve as a
buffer between Germany and France, ensuring the French security against any future
German aggression.

Actions: Hitler sent German troops into the Rhineland in March 1936. This was a direct
violation of both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact of 1925.

Rationale: Beyond asserting German sovereignty, Hitler argued this action was in
response to the Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance, viewing it as a potential
encirclement of Germany.

Outcome: France, despite having the means, did not intervene due to political indecision
and the absence of British support. Hitler's gamble not only succeeded but also boosted
his prestige at home.

Anschluss with Austria (1938)

The integration of Austria into the German Reich was a core aspiration for many German
nationalists.

Background: The Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye (1919) both
prohibited the unification of Austria and Germany.

Actions: Hitler pressured the Austrian Chancellor, leading to a crisis in March 1938. German
troops were sent into Austria, asserting a de facto unification.

Rationale:
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the Austrian National Bank.

Outcome: While there was international condemnation, major powers did not intervene.
The swift incorporation of Austria was yet another assertion of Germany's disregard for
post-war treaties.

Sudetenland Crisis (1938)

The Sudetenland crisis was pivotal in the run-up to World War II.

Background: Post-Versailles, the state of Czechoslovakia was created, encompassing

various ethnic groups, including Germans in the Sudetenland region.

Actions: Encouraged by Germany, the Sudeten German Party escalated demands for
autonomy. Hitler later demanded the Sudetenland's annexation to Germany.

Rationale: While Hitler portrayed this as a mission to protect ethnic Germans, he was
keen on weakening Czechoslovakia, a potential French ally.

Outcome: The Munich Agreement was concluded, allowing Germany to annex the
Sudetenland. While it was initially celebrated as a victory for peace, it only emboldened
Hitler further.

International Reactions to German Actions

The reactions from the global community were a mix of apprehension, appeasement, and at
times, tacit approval.

Britain: Britain, under Chamberlain, felt that appeasement would prevent another
devastating war. The Munich Agreement is a testament to this strategy, even though it's
now widely criticised as a failed policy.

France: Torn between confronting and appeasing Germany, France largely leaned
towards the latter, especially in the Rhineland crisis. The nation's own political troubles
and the trauma of WWI made them wary of another conflict.

Soviet Union: Stalin's USSR was becoming progressively alarmed by Germany's

assertiveness.
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United States: Engrossed in its own economic challenges due to the Great Depression,
the US largely followed an isolationist policy and remained disengaged from the
European theatre.

In retrospect, the international community's failure to confront German violations of post-war

treaties emboldened Nazi ambitions, setting the stage for the Second World War.

Mock Questions

Evaluate the impact of the remilitarisation of the Rhineland on the

subsequent foreign policies of Germany and France.

The remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936 was a pivotal moment in interwar European
history. For Germany, it marked a significant deviation from the Treaty of Versailles and set
a precedent for further territorial ambitions, reinforcing Hitler's conviction in his
expansionist strategies. Moreover, the lack of response bolstered the Nazi regime's
confidence, demonstrating that the international community might be hesitant to
respond to further treaty violations. On the French side, the non-intervention showcased
their inability or unwillingness to confront German aggression alone, emphasising their
reliance on British support. As a result, France increasingly leaned towards appeasement,
viewing it as the most pragmatic approach in a complex European political landscape.

How did the international community's response to the Anschluss with

Austria influence Hitler's subsequent actions in Europe?

The Anschluss in 1938 and the tepid response from the major powers sent clear signals to
Hitler about the prevailing mood in Europe. The lack of tangible intervention, despite
blatant treaty violations, emboldened Hitler and affirmed his belief that European
powers, particularly Britain and France, were more inclined towards appeasement than
confrontation. This perception significantly influenced his approach towards the
Sudetenland crisis later in the same year, leading to the Munich Agreement. The
international community's appeasement, aimed at maintaining peace, inadvertently
encouraged further German expansionism, pushing Europe closer to the brink of war.

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Past Papers

Q&A Forum

1. MILITARY LEADERS

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2. CONQUEST
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3: THE MOVE TO GLOBAL WAR

3.1 Japanese Expansion in East Asia (1931–

1941)

3.2 German and Italian Expansion (1933–

1940)

3.2.1 Fascism and Nazism: Ideological

Foundations

3.2.2 Domestic Economic Drivers

3.2.3 Diplomatic Alignments and

Appeasement

3.2.4 German Challenges to Post-War

Settlements

3.2.5 Italian Expansion and Aggression

3.2.6 German Expansion and Pre-War

Alliances

3.2.7 International Response to German

Aggression

3.2.8 International Response to Italian

Aggression

3.2.9 Combined International Response

(1940)

4: RIGHTS AND PROTEST

5: CONFLICT AND INTERVENTION

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6: SOCIETY AND ECONOMY (650–1400)
we’ll assume you’re okay with this.

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7: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF WARS (750–1500)

8: DYNASTIES AND RULERS (750–1500)

9: SOCIETIES IN TRANSITION (1400–1700)

10: EARLY MODERN STATES (1450–1789)

11: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF EARLY MODERN

WARS (1500–1750)

12: ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF

INDUSTRIALISATION (1750–2005)

13: INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS (1800–2000)

14: EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF

DEMOCRATIC STATES (1848–2000)

15: AUTHORITARIAN STATES (20TH CENTURY)

16: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF 20TH CENTURY

WARS

17: THE COLD WAR: SUPERPOWER TENSIONS

AND RIVALRIES (20TH CENTURY)

18: HISTORY OF AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

(HL)

19: HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS (HL)

20. HISTORY OF ASIA AND OCEANIA (HL)

21. HISTORY OF EUROPE (HL)

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Written by:
Maddie

Oxford University - BA History

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FAQ

Why was the Treaty of Versailles viewed so negatively in Germany, and

how did it foster nationalism?

What was the significance of the Locarno Pact, and why did it fail to
secure lasting peace?

How did the Saar Basin's status change following the Treaty of Versailles,
and what implications did this have for German nationalism?

Was the concept of Pan-Germanism a creation of the Nazi party, or did it

have earlier roots?

Why did the League of Nations fail to effectively address German treaty
violations during the 1930s?

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