Transcript The Munich Agreement 1938

The Munich Agreement 1938
Overview of the Munich
Agreement
• The Munich Agreement was signed in
1938 by Britain, France, Italy and
Germany.
• It was signed after fears of an
outbreak of war during what was known
as the “Czech Crisis”
The Czech Crisis
• Czechoslovakia was a country created
by the hated Treaty of Versailles
• Amongst its population were nearly 3
million German speaking people who lived
in the Sudetenland area.
• It also contained various other
nationalities within its borders
How did the crisis begin?
• The Czech crisis developed for several
reasons.
• Firstly, Hitler had a deep rooted hatred of
the mix of nationalities living in relative
harmony in Czechoslovakia
• Remember, Hitler wanted a “master” race
• He hated the Slavs who were living there, as
they had betrayed Germany in WW1.
• Czechoslovakia also had alliances with
France and Russia- Hitler viewed Russia
as a future conquest
• Czechoslovakia had a prominent
strategic position, it was well protected
by the mountainous terrain and had
excellent airfields
• It also served well for Hitler’s idea of
Lebensraum
The crisis unfolds
• The Germans living in the Sudetenland never
properly integrated into Czech life.
• Possibly due to the presence of the Czech
Nazi party headed by Konrad Henlein
• 1935 witnessed the holding of an election in
Czechoslovakia
• Henlein and his party won 62% of the votes in
the Sudetenland
• This result was what Hitler needed to
pressurise the Czech government into helping
these “oppressed” Germans
• Once again Hitler needed to begin a campaign
and ensure he was not the aggressor.
• He ordered Henlein to meet with the
government and make demands to protect
German people, knowing they would not or
could not be met.
• This would allow him to enter Czechoslovakia
in order to protect the German population (a
similar tactic used in the Anschluss)
• When these demands were not met Hitler
began “operation green”
Operation Green
• Operation Green was the order to his
Generals to get prepared to attack
Czechoslovakia
• After rumours had been successfully
spread in Czechoslovakia of a German
invasion, the Czech army mobilised
• Hitler then portrayed this as an act of
aggression and duly mobilised his troops
British response
• Britain and France quickly realised the
possibilities of war and sent a warning
to Hitler
• Again he pleaded his innocence, blaming
the Czechs
• Britain started putting pressure on
Czech government to recognise the
plight of Sudeten Germans
• This became known as the “May Crisis”
• As a way of gaining support, Hitler
prompted both Hungary and Poland to
enter Czechoslovakia and reclaim land
they had lost – Teschen and Slovakia
• This act would start to break up
Czechoslovakia and help Hitler in his
conquest
Meeting between Benes and
Henlein
• Hitler next ordered Henlein to meet Czech President
Benes with yet more demands, which included Home
Rule for Sudeten Germans
• When his demands were surprisingly met he pushed
for more knowing they would be refused
• He wanted Czech leaders punished for their actions
towards Germans before any further negotiations
took place.
• Aware of the real possibilities of war, the French PM
Daladier, urged Britain and Chamberlain to become
involved
• The British PM flew to meet Hitler at Berghof on 15th
September, this would be the first of many important
meetings.
Hitler’s Three Meetings
• The first of Chamberlain’s three
meetings took place on 15th September
1938 in Berchtesgadin
• Chamberlain was somewhat sympathetic
to Hitler’s claims regarding Sudeten
Germans
• He was prepared to give Germany the
Sudetenland
• Chamberlain also came to an agreement
with Hitler that any area of the
Sudetenland with 50% German
population would be handed to Germany
• The Czechs were also made to agree to
this “offer”
• Hitler reluctantly agreed.
• He quickly ordered his Freikorp troops
to take the areas of the Sudetenland
Meeting 2 Godesberg
• Hitler met with Chamberlain on the 22nd of Sep 1938
in Godesberg to clarify details of previous meeting
• However, Hitler had changed his requests
• Not happy with gaining the Sudetenland he ordered
the withdrawal of Czech troops by Sep 28th
• Chamberlain was confused, he now had a problem
• Refuse this offer and war would begin or once again
give into his demands
• Hitler made it clear he would take ALL of the
Sudetenland, even if it meant war
“Black Wednesday”
• The people and government of Britain prepared for
war
• Trenches were dug in London and the forces were
mobilised
• Chamberlain described this action as “How horrible,
fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging
trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a
quarrel in a far away country between people of whom
we know nothing. War is a fearful thing and we must
be very clear before we embark on it that it is really
great issues that are at stake”
• Czechoslovakia also mobilised their army.
The Munich Agreement
• After Hitler’s threat of war the leaders met on the
28th September to try and avoid war
• Mussolini chaired a meeting with Chamberlain and
Hitler in Munich
• Czechoslovakia were not invited
• At Munich, Hitler got what he wanted at Godesberg
• He would take the Sudetenland on 1st October
• The allies would protect Czechoslovakian
independence
• Hitler stated this would be his “last territorial claim
in Europe”
• War had successfully been avoided.
British Reactions
• The people and politicians of Britain were
divided over their reaction to the Munich
Agreement
• Many were aware that appeasing Hitler could
no longer continue
• Although some politicians resigned in disgust
most supported Chamberlain’ s success
• Public and press also supported the fact war
had been avoided
Other Reactions
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USA supported Chamberlain’s agreement
French minister met by cheering crowds
Dutch sent 4000 tulips to Chamberlain
However, this success would be very short
lived
• Six months later Hitler proved why he could
not be trusted as in March 1939 he invaded
and took control of the rest of
Czechoslovakia
• He also more importantly took control of the
Skoda arms factory
• This invasion started to turn British
people against the policy of
appeasement
• It now provided Hitler with a very
important strategic position in which to
continue with his expansion programme
• He could now easily attack Poland which
would leave Britain with a very tough
decision to make!!