escalation of tension

• What event escalated tensions in March 1936?

  German troops entered the Rhineland
• Why was the Rhineland significant for Germany?

  It was demilitarised by the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the purpose of the Treaty of Versailles regarding the Rhineland?

  To prevent Germany from militarising the area
• What pact did France and the USSR sign in 1935?

  A pact to support each other against Germany
• How did Hitler justify sending troops into the Rhineland?

  He claimed the France-Soviet Pact threatened Germany
• How many German troops entered the Rhineland on March 7, 1936?

  22,000 troops
• What was the reaction of the German people to the troops entering the Rhineland?

  Many welcomed the troops and gave flowers
• What warning did Hitler receive from his generals regarding the Rhineland?

  Germany was not ready to fight France
• What was Britain's economic situation during the Rhineland crisis?

  Britain was financially strained from the Great Depression
• Why did France hesitate to respond to the Rhineland invasion?

  They were in the middle of an election
• What did Mussolini think of Hitler after the Rhineland invasion?

  He saw Hitler as a force to be reckoned with
• What was the Locarno treaty agreement reaffirmed by Britain?

  To protect France and Belgium if attacked
• What was the Rome-Berlin Axis?

  An alliance between Germany and Italy
• Why did Mussolini and Hitler strengthen their alliance?

  Both sought allies for territorial expansion
• What was the Pact of Steel?

  A formal alliance between Germany and Italy
• When did Japan join the Pact of Steel?

  In 1940
• What was the Anti-Comintern Pact?

  An alliance against communism between Germany and Japan
• Why did Hitler support Franco in the Spanish Civil War?

  To test weapons and gain military experience
• What was the outcome of the plebiscite held in Austria in 1938?

  99% voted in favor of Anschluss
• How did the Anschluss affect Czechoslovakia?

  Czechoslovakia feared they would be next
• What was the significance of the Sudetenland for Germany?

  It was a strategic defensive position
• What did Hitler claim about ethnic Germans in the Sudetenland?

  They were being discriminated against
• Who was the British Prime Minister during the Sudeten Crisis?

  Neville Chamberlain
• What was Chamberlain's approach to the Sudetenland crisis?

  He sought to avoid war through appeasement
• How did Hitler's demands change during the Sudetenland negotiations?

  He demanded the Sudetenland sooner than agreed
• What was the reaction of Britain and France to Hitler's demands?

  They sought to prevent his invasion of Czechoslovakia
• What did Hitler do on March 12, 1938?

  Nazi troops invaded Austria
• What was the significance of the plebiscite in Austria?

  It was heavily pressured to vote 'yes'
• How did the Anschluss strengthen Nazi Germany?

  It expanded territory and resources
• What was the response of the French government to the Anschluss?

  They were concerned about the Treaty of Versailles
• What did Hitler do after the Anschluss?

  He focused on the Sudetenland next
• What was the outcome of the Sudeten Crisis?

  Hitler's demands led to further aggression
• How did the lack of response from major powers affect Hitler's actions?

  It encouraged him to break more treaties
• Who claimed that ethnic Germans were being discriminated against by the Czechoslovakian government?

  Hitler
• What did the Nazis encourage in Czechoslovakia in May 1938?

  Demonstrations and protests against the government
• What did Britain and France fear if Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia?

  They would be obliged to protect Czechoslovakia
• What impact did Germany's Luftwaffe in Spain have on Britain and France's decisions?

  It influenced them to stop Hitler's invasion
• When did Neville Chamberlain meet Hitler to discuss the Sudetenland?

  15 September 1938
• What was Hitler's initial demand regarding the Sudetenland?

  To take it peacefully
• How did Hitler's demands change after the initial agreement with Chamberlain?

  He wanted the Sudetenland sooner and land for Hungary and Poland