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Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Key Facts

The Steps to War — Timeline

Part of Steps to War · GCSE GCSE History revision

This key facts covers The Steps to War — Timeline 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 3 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 3 of 13

Practice

8 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

📅 The Steps to War — Timeline

DateEventWhat HappenedResponse
Mar 1936 Remilitarisation of Rhineland German troops enter demilitarised zone. Direct breach of Versailles AND Locarno. Nothing. France wouldn't act without Britain. Britain said Germany was "walking into its own backyard."
Mar 1938 Anschluss with Austria German troops march into Austria. Hitler holds rigged plebiscite (99.7% "yes"). Nothing. Britain and France accepted it. Austria was German-speaking anyway.
Sept 1938 Sudetenland Crisis Hitler demands Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) — 3 million Germans lived there. Munich Agreement: Britain & France give Hitler what he wants.
Mar 1939 Rest of Czechoslovakia Hitler takes Bohemia & Moravia. Slovakia becomes puppet state. Britain & France finally see appeasement has failed. Guarantee Poland's independence.
Sept 1939 Invasion of Poland Germany invades (Sept 1). Britain & France declare war (Sept 3). WAR BEGINS

🔥 The Rhineland Gamble (March 1936)

  • The situation: Rhineland had been demilitarised since Versailles. No German troops allowed.
  • Hitler's gamble: Sent only 22,000 troops (many were police). Ordered them to retreat if France responded.
  • France's army: Could have mobilised 100+ divisions. Would have crushed Germany easily.
  • Why France didn't act: Political instability, wouldn't act without Britain, public didn't want war.
  • Hitler's conclusion: The democracies were weak. He could keep pushing.

    • 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 1933-1939How Each Step Made the Next More LikelySetting the Scene⭐ Why Does This Matter?

    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

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    How Each Step Made the Next More Likely