Hitler rearms Germany 1935

Germany had been forced to disarm by the

Treaty of Versailles. The German army
and navy were reduced and Germany was
not allowed to have an air force. If
Germany broke the treaty the Allies had
pledged to restart the war.

Disarmament means reducing the number

of military forces within a country.
Rearmament means building up the
number of weapons within a country.

Hitler planned to make Germany powerful again and began a secret programme of
rearmament. Hitler began rearming almost as soon as he came to power in 1933
and demanded the army grew to 300,000. He also wanted 1000 planes to be built
and barracks to be constructed across the country.
By March 1935 Hitler felt confident enough to announce to
the world that Germany was rearming. He also stated that he
was introducing conscription to increase the army to 550,000.
The graphs below show the scale of the rearmament.

Conscription
means being
forced to join
the army for a
period of time.

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

The Army

Luftwaffe
1933

1939
5000

Years

4000
Planes

Fully trained divisions

The Army

Submarines

3000

Luftwaffe

2000
1000
0

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

1933

Submarines

1933

1939

1939

Hitler thought that Britain and France might try to stop him if he rearmed so he
needed a reason, or justification, for rearming Germany. Hitler thought that if he
had a good enough reason, or even a good excuse, then Britain and France might let
him get away with it.

Source A: Adolf Hitler.

In 1919 Germany was disarmed and we were given a promise that other countries
would also disarm in a few years. How long do we have to wait? Sixteen years have
passed since we were made to disarm. Other countries have done nothing. Today I
say to the world that once again Germany will be strong, but only so that we can
defend ourselves and also give our people jobs making weapons we need for our
defences.

Source B: Adolf Hitler on the day he announced that Germany would rearm
I say this to the leaders of Europe. Yes, we are breaking the treaty but we will
get rid of our weapons immediately if other countries do the same. If we are
allowed to defend ourselves then we offer a future of peace where all our
differences can be discussed peacefully without using force. But if you attack us
we will resist to the last man.

Source C: Kurt Adler, a German who was 19 years old in 1935.

He promised us work and pride. By 1935 I was taken into the army along with many
of my friends. We were aware that Hitler did break a treaty but now no other
country could bully us. We were happy that Hitler was making us strong. We had a
strong army and we had jobs. I was proud to be a soldier but I was also happy to
get wages.

Activity
Answer the following in complete sentences.
1. Why was Germany disarmed?

2. When did Hitler begin rearming? Why?

3. Use the three graphs to provide evidence about Hitlers rearmament

programme.

4. Why did Hitler think he needed an excuse for his rearmament?

5. Read Sources A and B. What two reasons is Hitler using to explain his
rearmament?

6. Read Source C. Why did rearmament please the German people?

7. Do you think Hitlers reasons are justified? Give reasons for your answer.