Final Acts of Appeasement
Anschluss, 1938
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The Sudetenland
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Interesting Fact
Anschluss—also known as Anschluss Österreichs—is a German word that means “union.”
Quote
"How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing."
- Neville Chamberlain
- Neville Chamberlain
Subjunctive Question
Did the early or final acts of appeasment give Hitler the most advantage?
Summary
The final acts of appeasement started with Anschluss in 1938. The Treaty of Versailles forbades unifications of Germany and Austria. In 1934 the Dollfuss affair occured where Nazis assassinate Austrain Chancellor. This led to Hitler calling on new Chancellor Schuschnigg to resign in 1938. The leader of the Austria Nazi party Seyss-Inquart becomes new Chancellor. A plebiscite is held and 99.75% vote in favour of unification. The Appeasers' reactions were close to nothing. Britian only warned Schuschnigg not to cause trouble and France wouldn't do anything without the British. Italy was the only objection but Mussolini gave his approval. Next was the Sudetenland. Sudetenland is an ethnic German area of Czechoslovakia where 3.5 mil Germans lived. Br. P.M. Neville Chamberlain wants Czech leader, Benes to give up Sudetenland in hopes that it will prevent war. This led to Hitler threatneing to occupy. Last was the Munich Agreement. Mussolini steps in with a four power confrence in Munich. Here, Benes resigns in favour of Emil Hacha who agrees to the annexation. Hitler still recognized the Slovak state and moved in Germans troops to "protect" it. Hacha visits Hitler in March 1939 and gives up Czech independence.