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Higher History Supported Study Project |
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Comparison of Sources 2
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Source Extract from the Cabinet minutes, 25 March 1936, quoting remarks by Anthony Eden, MP, the Foreign Secretary[The opportunity must be taken] to enlighten public opinion which was assuming that Germany was "the white sheep" and not "the black sheep"... Another idea which ought to be combatted was the prevalent one that the occupation of the Rhineland was no threat to France. It was a threat because so long as the Rhineland was demilitarised, the Germans, in order to invade France through Belgium as in 1914, would have to use large forces to hold the Rhineland and their striking forces would be reduced. After occupying the Rhineland, they could fortify it, hold the frontier with a relatively small force, and greatly increase their striking force on the northern bank. |
Source Extract from a letter from a member of the public to the editor, Glasgow Herald, 13 March 1936.It seems to me that if we are to keep Europe from war we must concentrate on Hitler's offer, letting bygones be bygones, and, perhaps, even go to the length of complimenting the German people on a constructive and comprehensive gesture towards peace. This would please them and restore to them a measure of the self-esteem they crave for. France, paralysed by past experience and fear, has tried to keep her heel on Germany since the war. This cannot and ought not to be done. Britain has too long allowed herself to be influenced by the French outlook, and now we have a chance to break away and view the new proposals from our, instead of their, standpoint. I consider Hitler's offer a God-given opportunity that must not be let slip.
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