2. Minutes on a conversation between Hitler and Konrad Henlein. The Sudetenland welcomes the Führer
2a. Minutes on a conversation between Hitler and Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudeten German Party and subsequent Reichsgauleiter of the “Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia”, on March 28th, 1938, in Berlin
„Der Führer erklärte, dass er beabsichtige, das tschechoslowakische Problem in nicht allzu langer Zeit zu lösen. Er könne es nicht mehr dulden, dass Deutsche drangsaliert würden oder auf Deutsche geschossen würde. Er erklärte Henlein, dass er wisse, wie beliebt dieser sei, und dass er der berechtigte Führer des Sudetendeutschtums wäre und auf Grund seiner Beliebtheit und Volkstümlichkeit die Dinge meistern würde.“ [...]
Source: Minutes on a conversation between Hitler and Konrad Henlein, leader of the Sudeten German Party and subsequent Reichsgauleiter of the “Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia”, on March 28th, 1938, in Berlin.
2b. The Sudetenland welcomes the Führer, Eger in October 1938
In the Munich Agreement on 30.09.1938 between the German Reich, Italy, France and Great Britain, the annexation of Sudetenland to the German Reich was resolved on. On 15.03.1939 Slovakia became an independent state and the remainder of Czechoslovakia (“Rest-Tschechoslovakei”) was occupied by the German Wehrmacht. One day later, Hitler declared the establishment of the “Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia”. No later than 1937, charismatic Konrad Henlein, the leader of the Sudeten German Party, became Hitler’s henchman in Czechoslovakia. Unlike other German parties in Czechoslovakia, the party more or less openly campaigned for the cession of the Sudeten German areas since its founding (1933/1935). At the elections to the National Assembly in May 1938, it received 91% of German votes in Czechoslovakia.
Questions
Geographical/Historical Context
With the “Front of Sudeten German Homeland” (“Sudetendeutsche Heimatfront”), gym teacher Konrad Henlein founded a reservoir with german-national orientation on October 1st, 1933, which was transformed to the “Sudeten German Party” (“Sudetendeutsche Partei”) in 1935. While other German parties cooperated with the Czech government, Henlein more or less openly campaigned for the cession of Sudetenland. At the elections to the National Assembly in May 1938, it received 91% of German votes in Czechoslovakia. No later than 1937, Henlein served as Hitler’s henchman in Czechoslovakia. The Sudeten German Party was exploited more and more in order to fuel national tensions and to create an occasion for German intervention. When military conflict already seemed inevitable, Italian dictator Mussolini mediated a meeting between British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Prime Minister Edouard Daladier and Adolf Hitler in Munich. No representatives of Czechoslovakia were invited. In the Munich Agreement, the annexation of Sudeten Germany to the German Reich was resolved upon on 30.09.1938. At first, the majority of the Sudeten German population welcomed Hitler as liberator. The enthusiasm ceased, however, when the results of the National Socialist “Gleichschaltung” (enforced conformity) for the life in Sudetenland became palpable. On 15.03.1939, Slovakia became an independent state and the German Wehrmacht occupied the remainder of Czechoslovakia (“Rest-Tschechoslovakei”) and established the “Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia”.
Answer to the Questions
The propagandized opinion that Sudetenland had illegitimately been incorporated in Czechoslovakia in 1918/19 and that, as a result of this, Germans were suppressed was the cause for the annexation of Sudetenland and Czechia. Hitler’s true reasons for the occupation of Sudetenland, though, lay deeper: extension of the territory, protection of eastern boarders (strategic expansion) as well as economic advantages (weapons, raw material, workforce) for the war.
The majority of Sudeten Germans welcomed the annexation of Sudetenland to the German Reich. Hitler was perceived as liberator and, consequently, welcomed joyfully. Critics were in distinct minority. The initial enthusiasm, however, soon ceased.
The Sudeten German Party and its leader Henlein were very popular, which was confirmed by the electoral victory of 1938. Yet, Henlein was also a provocateur, who fomented the masses and got them in a national mood. He became Hitler’s henchman.
Presentation
In the Munich Agreement on 30.09.1938 between the German Reich, Italy, France and Great Britain, the annexation of Sudetenland to the German Reich was resolved on. On 15.03.1939 Slovakia became an independent state and the remainder of Czechoslovakia (“Rest-Tschechoslovakei”) was occupied by the German Wehrmacht. One day later, Hitler declared the establishment of the “Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia”. No later than 1937, charismatic Konrad Henlein, the leader of the Sudeten German Party, became Hitler’s henchman in Czechoslovakia. Unlike other German parties in Czechoslovakia, the party more or less openly campaigned for the cession of the Sudeten German areas since its founding (1933/1935). At the elections to the National Assembly in May 1938, it received 91% of German votes in Czechoslovakia.