Hitler And The Sudetenland

(1938)

Sudetenland

The Sudetenland• Czechoslovakia was a country created by the Treaty of

Versailles, after WWI.• A part of it used to belong to

Germany.• The Sudetenland was an

important industrial area.

Introduction• The leader of

Czechoslovakia (Edward Benes) was concerned about Hitler.

• He asked Britain and France to support Czechoslovakia in case it was invaded. Both accepted.

• Chamberlain (British Chancellor) asked Hitler if he was planning something on Czechoslovakia. Hitler promised he did not.

• Despite his promise, Hitler did have designs on Czechoslovakia

• Many Germans lived in the Sudetenland; a Nazi leader in the Sudetenland convinced the Germans to demand to be part of Germany.

What Hitler Did and When• 1) April, 1938: Hitler said he would not

attack Czechoslovakia.• 2) May, 1938: Hitler said he would fight

against Czechoslovakia if necessary. • 3) September 15th, 1938: Hitler said he

was interested in only some parts of the Sudetenland.

• 4) September 22nd, 1938: Hitler declared that he wanted to take control of all the Sudetenland.

• 5) October, 1938: Hitler sent his troops to the Sudetenland.

• 6) March, 1939: Hitler took over the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Reasons for Hitler’s Actions

• Excuse: Hitler claimed that the Czech government was mistreating the Germans in the Sudetenland and that he intended to “rescue” them (by October 1st). Chaimberlain told Hitler that his demands were unreasonable.

Real reason: Hitler wanted to expand his territories and wanted the industrial area.

Response from Britain and France• Britain and France’s plan

was to give Hitler the parts of the Sudetenland that he wanted.

• At the second meeting, Hitler increased his demands. He asked for all the Sudeteland as he regretted that the previous terms arranged were not enough.

The meeting in Munich on September 29th

• With Mussolini’s help, a final meeting in Munich of the leaders of Britain, Germany, France and Italy decided to give Hitler what he wanted.

• They announced that Czechoslovakia was to lose the Sudetenland. They did not consult Czechoslovakia or USSR.

• This is known as the Munich agreement.

• Britain & France feared Hitler so, in order to avoid war, they gave him what he wanted

Why Was This A Cause for WWII ?

• Because France and Britain betrayed Czechoslovakia.

• Germany lost Britain and France’s trust.

• Hitler invaded the whole country, there was no peaceful objective and it created more tension in Europe.

Group members:

• Francisco Moreno• Alejo Zubizarreta• Olivia Arcuri• Micaela Cardalda• Victoria Nielsen