Hitler’s Expansionist Policy (Czechoslovakia)

Czechoslovakia

❖ Munich Agreement

• Hitler targeted Czechoslovakia next to be in line with his plans for a Greater Germany.
• Sudetenland area in Czechoslovakia largely German
• Under influence of the Nazi Party in Sudetenland, these Germans demanded to be part of Germany, and Hitler threatened to wage war for Sudetenland if necessary.
• Czechoslovakia had a modern army and its leader, Edvard Benes, was willing to fight, especially with support of Britain, France and Soviet Union should they be attacked.
• However, in line with the appeasement policy, British & French leaders signed Munich Agreement on 29 Sept 1938 with Hitler and Mussolini to avoid waging war in Europe
• Germany to gain control of Sudetenland
• Hitler promised never to demand any more lands
• Czechs & the Soviets, who had a mutual military assistance treaty, were not consulted.
• Benes resigned and German troops marched into Sudetenland on 1 October 1938.
• Hitler began to set his sights even further on occupying the whole of Czechoslovakia.

❖ Invasion of Czechoslovakia (16 March 1939)

• Hitler invaded and occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia with no resistance.
• Britain realised then Hitler could not be trusted and feared Poland would be next target
• Britain and France warned Hitler they would go to war if he invaded Poland