Why in the News?

On September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland, sparking World War II. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later, on September 3.

The Sudeten crisis 

• Background: The Sudeten crisis emerged from Hitler’s demand that the German-majority regions of Czechoslovakia, known as Sudetenland, be ceded to Germany. These regions, with a population of over three million German-speaking people, were part of Czechoslovakia after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire post-World War I. Hitler aimed to incorporate Sudetenland into his vision of a “Greater Germany.”
• German Occupation: Following the Munich Agreement, German troops occupied Sudetenland from October 1 to October 10, 1938. This occupation was part of Hitler’s broader plan for territorial expansion.

About the Munich Agreement and changes after that 

• Signatories: The Munich Agreement was signed on September 29-30, 1938, by Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain. Czechoslovakia was not a party to the agreement but was pressured into accepting it by the signing powers.
• Terms: The agreement allowed Germany to annex Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of peace. Great Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who supported the agreement, famously declared it as “peace with honour” after returning from Munich.
• Terms and Implementation:
  • Plebiscite: Some regions within Sudetenland were subject to a plebiscite for determining their fate.
  • Military Withdrawal: The Czechoslovak government was required to withdraw its military and police forces from Sudetenland and release Sudeten German prisoners within four weeks of the agreement.
• Aftermath: Despite the Munich Agreement, Hitler violated the terms within six months by invading the rest of Czechoslovakia.
  • The Munich Agreement, intended to appease Hitler and maintain peace, ultimately failed and was seen as a significant misjudgment of dealing with expansionist totalitarian regimes.

Conclusion: The Munich Agreement, meant to appease Hitler by ceding Sudetenland to Germany, failed disastrously. Within six months, Hitler violated the agreement by invading the rest of Czechoslovakia, highlighting the dangers of appeasing expansionist totalitarian regimes.

Mains PYQ: 

Q There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. (2021)

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