The 1938 Munich Agreement and the fall of Czechoslovakia
Events that preceded the 1938 Munich Treat
A clearer picture that derives and points towards the formation and signing of the Munich treaty lay in the immediate past. Hitler as analysts indicate remained a highly unpredictable individual who could indeed go to any length if he felt that he stood to benefit.
The World War I and the treaty of Versatile
The Conclusion of World War I left Germany wounded than any other country. The Allied Powers namely Russia, France and the British concluded and forced Germany to agree that it had caused the war and was to make major disarmament and payments to them. Particularly, Hitler is reported to have reacted angrily and indicated that the reparations of US 33 billion (equivalent of US 132 billion in the year 2007) which Germany was to pay in reparations to the entente powers was unfair to the country. While indicating that indeed it was a battle of the titans, Hitler further read mischief in the manner that the treaty was conducted.
While French Prime minister Clemenceau saw taming of German and its allies as a critical outline towards retaining of French empire, the British was considered to view the scenario with a business perspective. However, with the realization of strategic repositioning as the World War II drew near, a critical shift toward self defense and regional security became critical. Therefore, it was indeed true that the Versatile Treaty was actual pointer of the need for revenge and control by the different European powers.
The violation of the Versatile treaty and the demand for a new treaty
By mid 1930s, the Germany government indicated that indeed it would no longer honor the treaty as it was fraudulent and lacked the needed truth in making the country loose its focus towards expansion and further prosperity for its people. Hitler embarked on a strong creation of the military which was against Part V of the Versatile Treaty. Young men were forced into the army as the military took a new turn war was in the horizon. In a last attempt to limit the expansionist model of Germany, United Kingdom signed naval agreement which was viewed by Hitler to create a possible alliance against the French and the mighty Soviet. Notably, this treaty was later floundered by Germany as it invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. The Rhineland region which was previously demilitarized under the versatile treaty was further occupied by Germany military and therefore considered to point at possible immediate confrontation.
Invasion of Sudetenland and further expansionism
One thing that was evident with Hitler as modern historians derive from his orientation is the need to wield more power over his rivals and expand his territory with minimal regard of its inhabitants. Under this consideration therefore, Hitler justified the need to edge Sudetenland for himself as it was occupied by Germans but lay in Czechoslovakia. To Czechoslovakia, the Sudetenland was considered critical as it was a major stronghold with its mountainous outset against the Germans military. However, Czechoslovakians further felt the great attachment to the region for its rich coal, steel and ironworks that defined their economy.
It is worth noting that though Czech had a strong army it could not counter that of larger and more determined countries such as the Nazis. To indicate his might and intent, Hitler troops invaded the neighboring Austria and implemented anschluss that unified Austria with Germany as its extended territory. At this point, Czechoslovakia invasion by Hitler was considered to be the next on the line as his troops started rolling to its border.
From the British and France standpoint, Czechoslovakia was an important country and releasing it to Germany would point at two interpretations. To begin with, the viewpoint that Germany had won the expansion orientation could facilitate its winning further support in Europe. Besides, it could send signals of possible resignation from the war. Therefore, should the determined Hitler have been allowed to capture the whole of the whole of Czechoslovakia
The Munich Treaty and its after math
The need to use non-military diplomacy and signing of the treaty
The call by Czechoslovakia president for further protection from Germany by the British and France invoked key concerns that culminated to consideration of a treaty. Having experienced the bloodlines of the First World War with clear annotation of the main cause to have been Germany, there was cause for alarm. Indeed, the French premier reference to Germany to be out to cause a more blood came to pass as the Munich Treaty was later rubbished by Hitler. As a result, search for mechanisms best to address their concerns resulted to a give and take consideration. However, who would be negatively affected by the repercussion of a give and take option Is it indeed fair to the Czechs and would the treaty last While these questions appeared evident to Chamberlain, the British prime minister, he sought to involve other key Europe powers to arrive at an agreement that would reduce the Hitlers expansionism without invoking possible need for armed intervention.
Chamberlain therefore organized a meeting with his counterpart French Premier and the Italian Duce Benito Mussolini. Significantly, Czechoslovakia was the subject of the discussion and was therefore not invited to the talk. The British premier argued that there was the need to protect Czechoslovakia using the entire possible diplomatic outset and therefore reduce possibility of getting to military confrontation. This consideration was therefore accepted by all the parties representing the key powers in Europe. It was therefore concluded that Hitlers demand to expand his territory to Czechoslovakia be allowed to Sudetenland as a condition that he would not expand to the rest of the country.
Requirements of the treaty
The signing of the well prepared document required that Czechs agree with the arrived resolution that Sudetenland which was occupied by German natives was given to Hitler on condition that he would not proceed to the rest of the country. Notably, the though Czechoslovakia had a well organized military, it was impossible to defeat Germany without the support of the major forces from Britain and France. The country was therefore required to agree with terms or go it alone in the fight against the Nazis the latter was indeed impossible and the Czechs had to agree with the established agreement.
The Czech government was expected to evacuate its people from the region and leave the existing infrastructure without damages by the October 10th of the year 1938. At this point, the four leaders agreed to form a commission that would incorporate agents from the Czech government to facilitate adherence to the established conditions. Though the inclusion of the Czech government at this point was considered significant, it was expected that the country would voluntarily agree.
To avoid possible conflict between Czech and Germany military, the treaty further provided a walk out plan where evacuation and occupation was expected to take place simultaneously but in stages. Particularly, the treaty divided the Sudetenland into four territories which Germany was expected to occupy successively by tenth October of the year 1938.
An international commission was further provided for by the treaty to facilitate establishment of a territory that a plebiscite would be conducted. As a result, international bodies (mostly consisting of Germany, France, Britain and Italy) were to take charge of the territory until the time that a plebiscite would have been concluded, (a date not later than the end of November). The Czech government was further expected in a period of twenty eight days (4 weeks) after the signing of the agreement, to release all the forces of Sudeten-German who would wish to be released. On the other hand, Hitler was also expected to release all the Czech prisoners that were held in its prisons on political ground.
As the treaty was signed into action on September 29th 1938 and announced on the 30th of September, the commitment of the four governments, Britain, Germany, Italy and France was evident, however the Czech president Eduard Benes was reading from a different script.
The treatys aftermath and reactions by different parties
While the signing of the treaty was seen to come at a time when all the parties appeared to be least prepared for war, scholars indicate that all was not well.
Britain
Upon his return from Munich where the agreement was settled, Chamberlain the British premier received a heroic welcome which was seen to have guided Europe in evading another military confrontation that would have been expected to be worse than the previous World War I. Notably, little did Chamberlain know that that similar to the treaty of the versatile, the ties that restricted Germany from deviating from its demands were very weak and could easily be broken. From the Chamberlain point of view, a new window of trading with Germany was finally evident and both countries were on the track for further cooperation. Scholars in the country however, have accused Chamberlain of his poor focus and fixated outlook towards the expected results as opposed to critical review of the whole scenario.
Czechoslovakia
The pain and anguish of losing the only child from an unjust ruling has been equated to the feelings of Czechoslovaks after realization of the treaty and its demands. Failure to include at least some diplomats from Czechoslovakia was considered as a sense of sabotage because the country had military agreements with Italy and France. A major question to ask at this point is whether indeed the two powers (France and Italy) were forced or threatened to agree on the new agreement Upon his realization of this outlay, Eduard Benes resigned as he understood Hitler had gotten a direct route for expanding his territory to the whole of Czechoslovakia.
Germans
The reaction by Hitler as analysts tend to agree reflected his personality which was mostly characterized by the need to employ all mechanisms including false pretence to achieve his goal. Following the strict standpoints that treaty of Versatile had taken on Germany, it was least expected that Hitler would actually consider honoring an agreement that further limited his expansion. However, Germans considered the pact to have been ruled in their favor. Most importantly, Hitler was happy for being granted access to the rich Sudetenland which had key resources such as steel, coal and heavy industries to drive his war machinery. Indeed, he used this as the main springboard in the latter invasion of the remaining part of the Czechoslovakia.
Other leaders
The news of the treaty was received with mixed reactions both in Europe and globally. The United States indicated its consideration of neutrality and further intent to keep away from the politics and affairs of Europe. However, there were concerns over human rights which the United States indicated must be adhered to. Besides, taking into consideration the position taken by Britain which was a great ally of the United States, the latter did not rule out getting involved in enhancing the sanctity of the Czechs. In Europe, most countries understood the changing colors of Hitler and were therefore unclear of his willingness to follow the pact. Having annexed Austria and made it part of the Nazi entity, other countries such as Polland had a genuine cause for worry.
The fall of Czechoslovakia
Breaking the treaty
While the conclusion of the Munich Treaty was seen to indicate that war had at last been avoided, the same consideration was not realized. As president Eduard Benes had pointed out, Hitler saw a golden opportunity to occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia. Notably, the previous well formulated plan to attach Czechoslovakia by Hitler before the Munich treaty was signed dawned to many that it had just been shelved and would be executed in due course. At this time however, Chamberlain and French premier were still considering that Germany would honor the agreement and therefore sought to take a wait and took option. On March 15th the Operation Southeast saw the Czechoslovakia separated into two, with Slovakia being declared a Nazi territory. As the German Troops proceeded to the remaining part of Czechoslovakia, it was clear that the whole treaty was indeed forsaken and Czechoslovakia was no more.
The immediate aftermath
As the treaty was expected to serve as the immediate proof from sliding the region and the globe into war, the key powers sensed sabotage in Hitlers renewed consideration. Britain and French premier immediately sought to mobilize their resources related to the military ready for war. Indeed, the British premier was particularly blamed for lack of effective foresight to read the Hitlers mind. It was argued that with Hitler now seeking to further invade Poland and his military personnel in all of its boarders, failure to tame him would lead to Germany taking all of Europe. In his view, Mussolini indicated that he would seek to support Czechoslovakia from the earlier agreement.
Summary and conclusion
It is from the above discussion that this paper concludes by supporting the thesis statement that, Hitlers invasion and occupation by his military beyond Sudetenland portrayed his unpredictable nature and lack of good will to honor treaties a consideration that resulted to the fall of Czechoslovakia and emergence of the Second World War. The demand for the 1938 Munich Treaty as it came out in the paper was a historical progression and a projection from the former treaty of Versatile. Having learnt from the previous experience of the World War I, the Euro powers were not ready to see similar bloodshed repeated. Besides, the European key powers (Britain, Italy, France and Germany) saw various benefits to be accrued from the agreement. Though Czechoslovakians appeared to read between the lines, a consideration shared by most Germany neighbors, the parties involved in the agreement took Hitler with utmost good faith. The agreement was indeed comprehensive and provided for key checks that would have certainly avoided any possible bloodshed. However, abuse of the same agreement by Germany saw its further invasion and fall of Czechoslovakia. It was not until this invasion was evident to the great powers in Europe that they intervened in support of Czechoslovakia the war was finally inevitable.
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