Free taster
5 of 6 sections open
Setting the Scene
📖 Setting the Scene
March 7, 1936. German troops march into the Rhineland — the demilitarised zone that was supposed to protect France. Hitler's generals are terrified; they have orders to retreat if France responds. But France does nothing. Britain does nothing. Hitler later admitted: "The 48 hours after the march were the most nerve-racking of my life." He gambled and won. It was a pattern that would repeat: Austria 1938, Sudetenland 1938, Czechoslovakia 1939. Each time, Hitler pushed further. Each time, Britain and France let him. Until Poland.
Earn the mark scheme marks
🧠 Memory Aid
The steps to war — "RASC-IP":
- Rhineland remilitarised — March 1936
- Anschluss with Austria — March 1938
- Sudetenland (Munich Agreement) — September 1938
- Czechoslovakia (rest seized) — March 1939
- Invasion of Poland — September 1939
The key pattern to remember: Each step reduced resistance. Think of it as a "confidence ladder" — each rung Hitler climbed without falling made him more willing to climb the next one. The Rhineland was the first rung; Poland was the one where the ladder finally snapped.
Key dates: Both Rhineland and Anschluss happened in March (1936 and 1938). Sudetenland was September 1938. Prague was March 1939. Poland was September 1939. March and September alternate.
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 8
In which year did Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland?
Tap an answer to check it
This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on steps to war, with a full worked answer.