Why was Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 significant?
The first reason why Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia can be viewed as significant is
because it showed the true Hitler’s aggressive policy and what he really wanted. If all
previous demands were rather reasonable: Sudetenland was majorly populated by Germans
and they had a right for self-determination, Anschluss looked sensible as well – it was
hitler’s homeland and the nations were always close. Same story happened with other
places as well. However with occupation of Czechoslovakia it was different, it was a
completely separate nation, where there weren’t so many Germans for it to become part of
the Reich. So as it was a proper invasion showing that Hitler wants more than just “united
greater Germany” and actually had a very aggressive policy, it is significant; especially in
terms of international relations in Europe.
Another reason for the significance of the Czech invasion was that it has forced Britain and
France to end the policy of appeasement. During the munich agreement Hitler promised
that Sudetenland was the last piece of land he wanted to attach to Germany, as it was
originally german and treaty of Versailles took it away, with all the german population. It
was “the peace for our time” according to Chamberlain, yet the “time” only lasted until
march 1939 when german troops crossed the border of Czechoslovakia. As that proved that
hitler is a liar and didn’t regard the munich agreement as anything meaningful, it was the
last step for the western allies to end the appeasement of nazi Germany. Britain realised
that the next step will be invasion of Poland, so it started to prepare for war by increased
rearmament and pact with Poland that in case of invasion, Britain will finally declare war on
Germany. Thus it was significant as it was one of the last steps before the war.
Finally, hitler’s takeover of Czechoslovakia was significant because it greatly benefited
Germany. Germany gained all the “left over” resources from the country including army,
financial, people to conscript, alongside food and natural resources like fuel. Since Germany
gained extra army, it meant that it will have one less country to fight during the war and one
less country to spend significant military resources on later. As Czechoslovakia was quite a
wealthy country, its occupation by the reich was very beneficial to germans, and so it made
Germany even more powerful in the world arena and thus it was quite significant.
The first reason why Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia can be viewed as significant is
because it showed the true Hitler’s aggressive policy and what he really wanted. If all
previous demands were rather reasonable: Sudetenland was majorly populated by Germans
and they had a right for self-determination, Anschluss looked sensible as well – it was
hitler’s homeland and the nations were always close. Same story happened with other
places as well. However with occupation of Czechoslovakia it was different, it was a
completely separate nation, where there weren’t so many Germans for it to become part of
the Reich. So as it was a proper invasion showing that Hitler wants more than just “united
greater Germany” and actually had a very aggressive policy, it is significant; especially in
terms of international relations in Europe.
Another reason for the significance of the Czech invasion was that it has forced Britain and
France to end the policy of appeasement. During the munich agreement Hitler promised
that Sudetenland was the last piece of land he wanted to attach to Germany, as it was
originally german and treaty of Versailles took it away, with all the german population. It
was “the peace for our time” according to Chamberlain, yet the “time” only lasted until
march 1939 when german troops crossed the border of Czechoslovakia. As that proved that
hitler is a liar and didn’t regard the munich agreement as anything meaningful, it was the
last step for the western allies to end the appeasement of nazi Germany. Britain realised
that the next step will be invasion of Poland, so it started to prepare for war by increased
rearmament and pact with Poland that in case of invasion, Britain will finally declare war on
Germany. Thus it was significant as it was one of the last steps before the war.
Finally, hitler’s takeover of Czechoslovakia was significant because it greatly benefited
Germany. Germany gained all the “left over” resources from the country including army,
financial, people to conscript, alongside food and natural resources like fuel. Since Germany
gained extra army, it meant that it will have one less country to fight during the war and one
less country to spend significant military resources on later. As Czechoslovakia was quite a
wealthy country, its occupation by the reich was very beneficial to germans, and so it made
Germany even more powerful in the world arena and thus it was quite significant.
