Czechoslovakia and the Sudetenland

Hitlers motives and justifications

German Speakers of the Sudetenland numbered 3 million

Fostered much support among German speaking population of Hitler

Lead some to believe he was justified in his demands

Their representatives at Versailles had argued that they should be part of Germany

Treatment of Germans

Had been appealed by Konrad Henlein after his negotiations were rejected

German speakers in Czechoslovakia believed they were treated worse than other ethnic groups

Study conducted by LofN agreed with this

Skoda arms factory located in Sudetenland

Events

Hitler demanded control over Sudetenland, moved troops close to border

Instructed Konrad Henlein to hold demonstrations in Sudetenland and drum up German support.

Czech's mobilized their own troops, hoping to hold off until their alliances intervened

Had strong mountain defenses at border

Had signed a defense treaty with France

Munich Conference

Both Britain and France still pursuing Appeasement, unwilling to militarily help Czechs

Britain invited France, Germany, and Italy to peace conference

Notably, Russia did not get invited, further creating distrust

Czech President also absent

This highlights unfairness and treacherous behaviour of Britain, deciding the fate of another country without allowing them to fight

Ultimately decided that the entire Sudetenland should go to Hitler

Munich Conference decided that the Sudetenland should go to Hitler

Eventually Hitler intimidated Czech president into resigning and moved his troops into the rest of the Sudetenland

Consequences of Munich Crisis

Represented Diplomatic defeat for France and Britain

France had betrayed their alliance with the Czechs

Britain lost the trust of USSR through the lack of invite and seeming plotting against her

Britain failed to back France firmly against Germany

Hitler Proved his Strength

Publicly displayed military prowess, and his agression towards Czechs

British Services expecting Hitler to be overthrown, but he was not

British Realization of shortcomings of Appeasement

Re-armament increased, became more prepared for war with Germany

Announcement of war over a possible invasion of Poland

Made commitments to resist aggression against Holland, Belgium and Switzerland

Committed to protect Romania and Greece

Chamberlain discredited

realized that hew had misjudged Hitler, due to invasion of Czechoslovakia

Becoming increasingly unpopular

British public opinion came to view war as necessary and moral

Winston Churchill gained credibility