Explain how did Hitler violate the Treaty of Versailles in 1933
Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles in several ways in 1933:
1. Rearmament: The Treaty of Versailles had imposed strict limits on the size and capabilities of the German military, but Hitler disregarded these restrictions and began to rearm Germany. He increased spending on the military and created a new air force, which was explicitly prohibited by the treaty.
2. Re-militarization of the Rhineland: The Treaty of Versailles stipulated that the Rhineland, a region in western Germany, must remain demilitarized. However, Hitler violated this provision in 1936 by sending German troops into the Rhineland to establish military control.
3. Expansionist policies: The Treaty of Versailles had created new borders and territories in Europe, but Hitler deemed these boundaries unjust and sought to expand Germany's territory. In violation of the treaty, he annexed Austria in 1938 and sought to expand into other countries, including Czechoslovakia and Poland.
By violating the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler essentially set the stage for World War II, which began with Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939.