The policy of the Czechoslovak government aimed at neutralizing the German threat during 1935 – 1938 with a focus on the situation in Slovakia
The policy of the Czechoslovak government aimed at neutralizing the German threat during 1935 – 1938 with a focus on the situation in Slovakia

Summary/Abstract: The second half of 1930s was a period of dramatic political changes in Europe. The stability established by peace agreements concluded after World War I underwent gradual but continual erosion. The main reason for the transforming political landscape was the political developments in Germany which resulted in the collapse of the democratic parliamentary system. In the spring of 1933 The Nazi Party assumed power in Germany and over the span of a few years succeeded in remaking Germany into a totalitarian state. The German dictator Adolf Hitler openly declared his intention to destroy the system of peace treaties, which had formed the basis of peaceful relations amongst states in Europe after World War I. Keeping to this declaration, he openly pursued a provocative policy of step-by-step destruction of the Versailles Treaty. In the context of Hitler´s political aims, the growing economic and military power of Germany constituted a clear threat to Central European states. The Czechoslovak government concluded that it had to apply all possible means to reinforce the defense ability of the state, and consequently a policy of rapid fortification on the border with Germany was initiated. Military maneuvers aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of the Czechoslovak Army were enacted throughout Czechoslovakia (CSR). State propaganda on the radio and in the press portrayed the Czechoslovak Republic as a state capable of repelling any invasion and re-assuring the population. However, despite such propaganda, it was continually emphasized that Czechoslovakia could only resist Germany with the added protection of its allies France and the Soviet Union.

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