Spring 1936 Dark clouds on the horizon
1936 began with great expectations for the future in Norway. The Labour government under Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold was working to better the situation of common people and lower the unemployment rate. At home situation seems to be improving, but what scared the government in the spring of 1936 were international affairs.
The Norwegian Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold
Germany had already violated the Versailles treaty by re-arming after Adolf Hitler had become Chancellor in 1933. When Hitler had announced the re-arming in 1935 Britain and France wanting to keep the peace had only protested, but not taken any actions against Hitler.
As 1936 began it seemed clear that Germany once again had started getting a strong military. With the re-armament in 35 it was important for the Norwegian government to stay neutral and when the Great Powers only protested that was just to the governments liking.
On the night of the 7th of March 1936 Foreign Minister Haldan Koht was awaken by a telephone early in the morning. Feeling grumpy Koht answered the phone in an angry tone.
-What? Don’t you know what time it is? It is the middle of the bloody night!
-I am very sorry minister, but you really needed to know this…
The Germans have invaded Rhineland!
-What? If this is some kind of joke!
-No, sir not at all. We got the news from our embassy in Berlin during the night that something was going to happen, and again now this morning when the ambassador confirmed that the talk in Berlin is that German troops has entered Rhineland.
Also we have just had it confirmed from your embassy in London, the Foreign Department in London have also confirmed that Germany troops have entered Rhineland.
-This is just… insane
-Yes, I agree, sir.
-Quickly get me the Prime Minster on the phone.
-Yes, sir. I am connecting you now
Yes…
-Johan you won’t believe it, the Germans have invaded Rhineland…
In violation of the Versailles Treaty German troops invade Rhineland in March 1936
In clear violation of the Versailles Treaty German troops had entered Rhineland during the night of the 6th and 7th of March. The scary start on the 7th that the Norwegian government had awaken to soon calmed down as it became clear that the response of the great powers was only sending an official protest again. The French army stood ready, but again the Great Powers had lost their nerve, and the wish for peace was to strong so no conflict happened. Once again Hitler had got away with a gamble without anything else than an official protest. But both in Britain and France some people felt that Germany was becoming too strong and powerful again. And this wasn’t the only time these spring that the great powers had done nothing in clear violation of international law and agreements.
The Italian invasion of Ethiopia had started in 1935, without any declaration of war. Although the League of Nations had ruled that Italy had no right to Ethiopia none of the great powers had done anything else than protest on the Italian invasion. As 1935 ended and 36 began the situation was becoming worse for the Ethiopians as the Italian war machine closed in on Addis Abeba. The capital was conquered by Italy in April 1936 and as the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie fled the country, Italy annexed all of Ethiopia on the 27th of April 1936.
Italian forces advancing into Ethiopia
In Norway the Prime Minister had been in meeting with Foreign minister, Halvdan Koht, and the Minister of Justice Trygve Lie.
“Well gentlemen it seems like the British aren’t going to take any action against Italy”
Koht nodded.
“Yes, Johan neither the British nor the French are going to do anything. It seems like the only action of the League and the great powers is the protest they have already issued to Mussolini.”
Lie looked a little shocked on the two others.
“So Halvdan are you saying that the Italians will just get away with annexing Ethiopia?”
“Yes, it would seem so. There is no wish for any other war, and besides it is just some land in Africa any way, nothing to worry about…”
The spring of 1936 was calm in Norway. Steps were taken to lower the unemployment rate, and the navy had carried out exercises in the North of Norway to show the Norwegian presence in the area.
Although the international community had overlooked both the German and Italian aggression and promised that there would be peace for many years to come, the Norwegian government still made sure that the army was strengthen with one more standing division with the newest and best equipment.
As the spring of 1936 went over into summer the eyes of the world was soon to turn away from Germany and Italy to an other nation in southern Europe.