WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -On March 7, 1936, Adolf Hitler sent over 20, 000 troops back into the Rhineland, an area that was supposed to remain a demilitarized zone according to the Treaty of Versailles. The area known as the Rhineland was a strip of German land that borders France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Detailed explanation-2: -The treaty required demilitarization of the Rhineland, the loss of 13% of Germany’s prewar territories, and extensive reparation payments by Germany. The treaty contained a “war guilt clause.” This clause held Germany completely responsible for starting World War I.

Detailed explanation-3: -Finally, the Rhineland was demilitarized; that is, no German military forces or fortifications were permitted there. In the east, Poland received parts of West Prussia and Silesia from Germany.

Detailed explanation-4: -The remilitarization of the Rhineland (German: Rheinlandbesetzung) began on 7 March 1936, when German military forces entered the Rhineland, which directly contravened the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.

Detailed explanation-5: -In a blatant violation of the treaty, on March 7, 1936, Hitler ordered German troops to reoccupy the zone. Hitler gambled that the western powers would not intervene. His action brought condemnation from Great Britain and France, but neither nation intervened to enforce the treaty.