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Czechoslovakia and the Sudetenland - Coggle Diagram
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
German speakers in Czechoslovakia believed they were treated worse than other ethnic groups
Study conducted by LofN agreed with this
Had been appealed by Konrad Henlein after his negotiations were rejected
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 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
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
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