French Reaction to the Rhineland Crisis of 1935

Although the French government had been aware of Hitler’s plan to reoccupy the demilitarized Rhineland during the Spring of 1935, it took the French government nearly a year to decide how they would respond once Hitler decided to move German troops into the Rhineland. France’s indecision regarding the imminent reoccupation of the Rhineland was due to the fear of French people in provoking a war with the Germans, and the French generals’ lack of confidence in fighting a war against Germany without the help of the British or the Belgians. This lack of confidence allowed the Germans to take the Rhineland from the French without conflict.

Germany’s decision to move troops into the demilitarized Rhineland was a direct violation of both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. This agreement, to demilitarize the Rhineland, was forced upon the Germans after World War I with the Treaty of Versailles, and was later openly accepted as part of the Locarno Pact of 1925. This small piece of land was crucial to both the French and the Germans, for it allowed the French access to The Ruhr, which was the heartland of German industry. In early 1935 Hitler secretly begins plans to reoccupy the Rhineland, giving it the code name Schulung. For months following his decision to reoccupy the Rhineland, Hitler gives numerous deceiving speeches in which he affirms Germany’s commitment to upholding the terms agreed to in both the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact. Meanwhile the French government observes that German troops and war planes were moving closer, and inside information suggested that the Germans were planning to move into the Rhineland soon.

By the Fall of 1935 the French decide that it is crucial that they decide their official position concerning the defending the Rhineland. The French leaders concluded that British support was crucial in their decision because without British support the French were not confident fighting the Germans. After an indecisive response from the British the French were forced to make the decision on their own. The French army was not prepared to attack the Germans, but they hesitantly agreed to defend the Rhineland if it was invaded by German troops. The indecision lasted until mid February of 1936 when French Foreign Minister Flandin suggests that a formal complaint be made to the League of Nations once the Germans chose to invade the Rhineland.

Disagreements soon arise in the French government, causing much tension in the officers in charge of defense. Many hypothetical situations were discussed, including a deal that would allow the Germans to occupy the Rhineland as long as they agreed to not stockpile arms or build permanent structures. Still, the French fail to agree on a plan of defense and they continue their policy of "no action".

Finally on March 7, 1936 German troops receive orders to move into the Rhineland. Strategically planned for a Saturday, Hitler causes mass confusion in the French defense department because the French are unable to confer with British government officials who traditionally leave London for the weekend to spend time in their country homes, where they can not be contacted. Initially the French do nothing to stop the Germans while the French Ambassador to France, Flandin, frantically attempts to contact members of the British government on a Saturday afternoon, but his hopes were in vain, as the British wanted to delay involvement for as long as possible, forcing the French to make a decision by Sunday morning.

The French were reluctant to fight the Germans for numerous political and military reasons. The French generals, led by Army Chief Gamelin, were not confident with fighting the Germans alone and this fear caused them to recommend that the French do nothing in the Rhineland. The French people were also reluctant to become involved in another war with Germany, as many still remembered the horrors of World War I twenty years earlier. And with elections just weeks away many government officials up for re-election in France were worried that any false move regarding such a hotly debated political issue would cause them to lose their election. Flandin appeared to be the only member of Premier Sarrat’s advisory board who advocated the use of troops to defend the Rhineland, but he was overruled by the other leader’s who feared any sort of decisive action. Ironically, the German troops sent to the Rhineland were unequipped for battle, and received orders to immediately retreat at the first sign of French troops, but due to France’s passive methods of handling the situation, Hitler’s gamble allowed him to reoccupy the Rhineland without conflict.