Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the...
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![Page 2: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
British Reaction
• The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill).
• The many reasons behind the policy of appeasement, however, prevented them from taking stronger action.
• Britain was in no position to go to war again.• Neville Chamberlain had become Prime Minister
in May 1937 and wanted to improve relations with Germany
• Considered Austria to be within Germany’s sphere of interest as Austrians were really Germans
![Page 3: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
British Reaction
• The general attitude of both government and the people it seemed that:
• Austria was too far away from Britain and too close to Germany for Britain to take effective action
• Also, the Austrian people generally welcomed the Anschluss and that it would be silly to defend their independence against their own wishes
![Page 4: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Italian reaction
• Little Mussolini could do, he had already stated Austria was of no interest to him.
• Mussolini was also aware that Germany was far too strong and had widespread support inside Austria
• Hitler did not clear ‘invasion’ plan with Italy
• However Mussolini sent Hitler a message ‘Austria did not interest him at all’
• Hitler was relieved
![Page 5: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Czechoslovakia reaction
• Could not do anything• Now in a dangerous position
surrounded on 3 sides• Hitler sent message to assure
Czechoslovakia that they had nothing to worry about.
• They did not believe Hitler and had good reasons to disbelieve him.
![Page 6: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
French reaction
• Changing governments meant an unstable time
• Not in a position to react• The French would also have required
the help of Britain.• Although in agreement with the
international community that nothing could or should be done!!
![Page 7: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Significance of the Anschluss
• The Anschluss had proved to Hitler, yet again, that he could get away with international bullying
• He was aware of the fact that no one was strong enough or willing to become embroiled in another war.
• The fact he increased his borders without bloodshed also strengthened his case.
• In retrospect, we know he would use these tactics again
![Page 8: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Significance of the Anschluss
• It also gave Hitler control of Austria’s iron and steel industries and her engineering industries (for armaments)
• This would also benefit the German economy hugely
• Austria also provided a springboard for any potential invasion of South-eastern Europe if Hitler so decided (Czechoslovakia)
![Page 9: Reactions to the Anschluss. British Reaction The British government protested strongly about the takeover (Churchill). The many reasons behind the policy.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082820/56649ea05503460f94ba3a93/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Significance of the Anschluss
• He was able to use the funds of the Austrian Central Bank and use the countries vast gold reserves
• This would help with remilitarisation • His attention now turned to
Czechoslovakia whose important Western provinces were now virtually surrounded by Germany