Crisis over Czechoslovakia:
March - September 1938

Chronology

  • 11 March
    Germany invades Austria

  • 12 March
    Anschluss of Austria proclaimed

  • 24 March
    Chamberlain declares that Czechoslovakia will not receive British guarantee   [Document 1]

  • 28 March
    Henlein visits Hitler in Berlin   [Document 2]

  • 24 April
    Henlein's Karlsbad speech   [Document 3]

  • 28-29 April
    Talks in London between British and French Governments

  • 7 May
    Britain and France issue joint warning to Czechoslovakia

  • 12-14 May
    Henlein makes private visit to London

  • 20-22 May
    "May Crisis" war scare over Czechoslovakia   [Document 4]

  • 30 May
    Hitler issues new directive for "Operation Green" (the plan of attack on Czechoslovakia)   [Document 5]

  • 8 June
    SdP (Sudeten German Party) presents demands to Czechoslovak Government

  • 23 June
    Formal negotiations begin between Czechoslovak Government and SdP

  • 18 July
    British Government appoints Lord Runciman as mediator in Czechoslovakia   [Document 6]

  • 26 July
    Runciman Mission announced

  • 3 August
    Runciman arrives in Prague

  • 30 August
    "Third Plan" proposed by Czechoslovak Government

  • 6 September
    "Fourth Plan" proposed by Czechoslovak Government

  • 7 September
    Leading article in The Times advocates cession of the Sudeten German territory to Germany   [Document 8]

  • 8 September
    Talks between Czechoslovak Government and SdP break down

  • 12 September
    Hitler's speech at Nuremberg Rally

  • 13 September
    Unrest in Sudeten German territory

  • 15 September
  • Chamberlain meets Hitler at Berchtesgaden
  • Henlein flees to Germany, demands "Return to the Reich"

  • 16 September
    Runciman returns to London

  • 18 September
    Talks in London between British and French Governments

  • 19 September
    Britain and France pressure Czechoslovakia to cede territory with 50% or more Germans

  • 21 September
    Czechoslovakia accepts cession of territory with German majority

  • 22-23 September
    Chamberlain meets Hitler at Godesberg

  • 25-26 September
    Talks in London between British and French Governments

  • 27 September
    Chamberlain's radio broadcast   [Document 9]

  • 29-30 September
    Munich Conference   [Document 10]

  • 1-10 October
    Czechoslovakia evacuates Sudeten German territory

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