Remilitarization of Rhineland
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The remilitarization of the Rhineland refers to the moment when the German army, under the rule of Adolf Hitler, occupied the Rhineland region of Western Germany in 1936. It broke the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact, which had both demilitarized the area and placed restrictions on Germany’s military capabilities.
The remilitarization of the Rhineland was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II. France had been guarding the area since the end of World War I to ensure that Germany could not use it for aggressive military purposes. However, when Hitler sent 22,000 troops into the Rhineland in March 1936, France did not respond, as it was preoccupied with its own domestic issues and its relationship with Great Britain.
The remilitarization of the Rhineland was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles and other international agreements. It was also an act of aggression by Germany, and a precursor to further aggressive actions in Europe, including the Anschluss with Austria and the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The remilitarization of the Rhineland was significant because it showed that Hitler was willing to take risks and violate international agreements to further his goals. It also showed that the other European powers, including France and Britain, were not willing to stand up to him and enforce the agreements made after World War I.
Overall, the remilitarization of the Rhineland was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II, and one that contributed to the perception that Germany was willing to use military force to achieve its goals.
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The Anschluss: Hitler’s Annexation of Austria and its Significance in WWII History