WEBVTT

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In 1936, Hitler could have been prevented.

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That is also the question here.

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You see a collage with German and French troops.

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This refers to the occupation

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of the demilitarized zone in the Rhineland

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by German troops, which Hitler dared to embark on in 1936.

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Hitler himself described this as one of

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the greatest risks of his political career.

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The Rhineland was a sensitive area at the time

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because after World War I, it had been

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occupied by the victors, Britain and France,

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with Germany having a great interest

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in regaining this territory for itself.

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And Hitler, who was under a lot of pressure in 1936,

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on the one hand, domestically,

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because through the development of the armaments industry

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he gained problems to ensure the supply of the population.

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Externally, he feared being encircled by a

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Soviet-French assistance treaty.

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Hitler tried to take the reins

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and had 30,000 troops march

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into the demilitarized zone.

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France, then the strongest continental power,

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with over 600,000 troops, did not respond.

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People didn't want war.

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The leftist government, the Popular Front government

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had no interest in war.

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And Britain, the other protecting power,

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had no interest in war either.

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Hitler used this foreign policy coup

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to stabilize himself domestically as well.

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Shortly thereafter, a Reichstag election was held,

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which Hitler won with 99% of the votes.