Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936 in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty had established the Rhineland as a demilitarized zone without German troops to protect France. Hitler took a huge gamble by sending troops into the area in March 1936. Britain would not intervene to help France, judging the risk was France's alone. France was divided in its response, and without British support did not take military action. Hitler's reoccupation succeeded and humiliated France by breaking terms of the earlier treaty.

1. History Presentation
RHINELAND

2. Rhineland
● Large area
● Side of the river Rhine
● Western border

3. Explain what the Treaty of Versailles established as
regards Rhineland
● Demilitarised zone
● No German troops were allowed into that area.
● Border area
● Protect France from German encroachments.

4. Describe what Hitler did and when he did it
● March 1936: Hitler re-entered the Rhineland,
● Huge gamble,
● Locarno Treaties in 1925.
● Forced to withdraw,
● Humiliated

5. Explain the reasons Hitler gave for this actions
● Covenant with the USSR
● Agreement
● Germany was in hazard.
● France and the USSR had allied.
● Troops in her own frontier

6. The response from Britain to France
● The British would not intervene
● Risk was over France.
● Nervously
● Pull out
● League
● French were divided.
● Elections
● Starting a war.

7. Glossary
● Demilitarised: no troops can be there, as no military can be placed in it.
● Gamble: Is a risk taken which can have a loss or a chance of success.
● Withdraw: leave or come back from a place
● (A gamble or risk) to be paid off: it was worth it, as it brought success.
● A covenant: an agreement.
● Encroachment: An invasion.
● Hazard: to be in danger.

8. Cartoon

9. Sources
(1) Adolf Hitler met Kurt von Schuschnigg, the Austrian Federal
Chancellor on 12th February, 1938. Schuschnigg later recalled
what Hitler said to him at the meeting about marching into the
Rhineland in March, 1936.)
“Don't believe that anyone in the world will hinder me in my
decisions! Italy? I am quite clear with Mussolini; with Italy I am
on the closest possible terms. England? England will not lift a
finger for Austria. And France? Well, two years ago when we
marched into the Rhineland with a handful of battalions - at that
moment I risked a great deal. If France had marched then, we
should have been forced to withdraw. But for France it is now
too late!”
● impede his plan
● The Austria Federal Chancellor
●

10. (1) Adolf Hitler met Kurt von Schuschnigg, the Austrian Federal Chancellor on 12th
February, 1938. Schuschnigg later recalled what Hitler said to him at the meeting
about marching into the Rhineland in March, 1936.)
“Don't believe that anyone in the world will hinder me in my decisions! Italy? I am quite clear
with Mussolini; with Italy I am on the closest possible terms. England? England will not lift a
finger for Austria. And France? Well, two years ago when we marched into the Rhineland
with a handful of battalions - at that moment I risked a great deal. If France had marched
then, we should have been forced to withdraw. But for France it is now too late!”
PRIMARY SOURCE

11. SECONDARY SOURCE
“It was on 7 March 1936 that Hitler comprehensively violated the Versailles Treaty by
sending troops into the industrial region of the Rhineland, which under Article 180 had
been specifically designated ademilitarized zone. Had the German Army been opposed by
the French and British forces stationed near by, it had orders to retire back to base and
sucha reverse would almost certainly have cost Hitler the chancellorship.’’

12. THE END