Saturday, 12 April 2008

Rhineland Remilitarised March 1936 - How big a gamble was it for Hitler?



The cartoonist has shown Germany as a goose entering the Rhineland. They have chosen a goose as the German army marched with the goose step. The goose is carrying older weapons from WWI showing that Germany is not that strong or prepared, Hitler taking a gamble perhaps this was the point where Hitler could have been stopped by the League and/or GB & France.

In its mouth it carries an olive branch with 'Peace German style' in latin written on it and in the background the people are flying swatika flags from the windows showing that the remilitarisation is popular with the German people. The goose is stepping all over a ripped Locarno treaty showing that Germany is abolishing the treaties and should be stopped.

In general the cartoonists gives a mixed message, firstly that Germany could be stopped, but secondly there is some sympathy with Germany as they are not shown as overly aggressive and the remilitarisation is popular with the German people in the Rhineland.

Click on the cartoon to take a closer look!


March 1936 German troops marched into the Rhineland and remilitarised it going against the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaty of 1925.

Gamble - Yes
Went against Treaties
League of Nations could take action
Germany was weaker than the French despite the start of rearmament
If forced to withdraw it would have damaged Hitler position with the army/people

Gamble - No
Britain had sympathy with Germany
France and USSR has signed a treaty - Hitler claimed Germany was under threat
The League distracted with Abyssinian crisis
League protested but took no action
French politician busy with an election wanted to avoid an unpopular war
No one really knew how weak Germany was

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