What was the response to German rearmament in the 1930s?

The response to German rearmament in the 1930s was largely one of appeasement and failure to enforce the Treaty of Versailles.

In the early 1930s, Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, began to rearm in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which had ended World War I. The treaty had imposed strict limitations on Germany's military capabilities to prevent future aggression. However, the response from the international community, particularly Britain and France, was largely one of appeasement.

Britain, still recovering from the devastating effects of World War I, was reluctant to engage in another conflict. The British government, led by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, adopted a policy of appeasement, hoping that by allowing Germany to rearm and make territorial gains, it would satisfy Hitler's ambitions and prevent another war. This policy was also influenced by a sense of guilt over the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and a belief that a stronger Germany could serve as a bulwark against the spread of communism from the Soviet Union.

France, on the other hand, was deeply concerned about German rearmament but felt unable to respond effectively without British support. France was also dealing with political instability and economic problems at home, which further hampered its ability to respond to the threat posed by Germany.

The League of Nations, the international body established after World War I to maintain peace, also failed to take decisive action against German rearmament. The League lacked the power and the will to enforce the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and its response was largely ineffectual.

In retrospect, the policy of appeasement and the failure to enforce the Treaty of Versailles are widely seen as having emboldened Hitler and contributed to the outbreak of World War II. However, at the time, many in Britain and France saw these policies as the best way to maintain peace and avoid another devastating war. The response to German rearmament in the 1930s is a complex issue that continues to be debated by historians.