Question

How did Hitler achieve his aims with reference to the Reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936?

Answer 1

1. Violations of the Treaty of Versailles: The treaty declared the Rhineland a demilitarised zone. Hitler’s decision to send German troops into the Rhineland directly violated this clause, aiming to overturn the Treaty’s restrictions.
2. Calculated risk: Hitler knew that France and Britain might oppose the move, but he took a calculated risk, believing they would not act militarily. His gamble paid off; neither Britain nor France intervened, as both were following a policy of appeasement and were reluctant to enter another conflict.
3. Boost to nazi prestige: The successful reoccupation boosted Hitler’s popularity in Germany and encouraged him to take further aggressive actions, proving that the Allies would not enforce the Treaty’s terms.