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Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Introduction

Setting the Scene

Part of Steps to War · GCSE GCSE History revision

This introduction covers Setting the Scene within Steps to War for GCSE History. Revise Steps to War in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 13

Practice

8 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

📖 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.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Steps to War. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Hitler's Steps to War 1933-1939The Steps to War — TimelineHow Each Step Made the Next More Likely

Practice Questions for Steps to War

In which year did Hitler remilitarise the Rhineland?

  • A. 1933
  • B. 1936
  • C. 1938
  • D. 1939
1 markfoundation

What was the result of the rigged plebiscite held after the Anschluss in March 1938?

  • A. 51% voted in favour of union with Germany
  • B. 75% voted in favour of union with Germany
  • C. 88% voted in favour of union with Germany
  • D. 99.7% voted in favour of union with Germany
1 markfoundation

Quick Recall Flashcards

Anschluss date and result?
March 1938 — Austria united with Germany. 99.7% rigged plebiscite.
Rhineland remilitarisation date?
March 7, 1936 — Hitler's biggest gamble, democracies did nothing

8 questions on Steps to War — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 15 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.

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Hitler's Steps to War 1933-1939