264 Chapter 3
MID#2302
Dispute Number: 2302
Date(s): March 12, 1939 to March 16, 1939
Participants: 255 Germany/315 Czechoslovakia
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute describes the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. It
follows incidents in this area, including the occupation of the Sudetenland that
falls under the policy of the powers of appeasing Hitler’s territorial aims. German
meddling in Czechoslovak affairs continued in the following months, leading to a
crisis in March 1939. The issue starts with the Prague dismissal of Jozef Tiso, the
premier of the Slovakia region. Tiso, promised autonomy by Prague, was removed
from office for supporting Fascist aims of separation. Tiso asked for help from
Hitler, who was inclined to intervene. German support resulted in the declarations
of independence by Slovakia and Ruthenia (renamed: Carpatho-Ukraine). These
territories quickly fell under German protection. Hitler followed it with occupa-
tions of Bohemia and Moravia, combining them as another German protectorate.
The effective occupation and division of Czechoslovakia eliminated the republic
from the interstate system until the conclusion of World War II. For the meantime,
the occupation of Czechoslovakia resulted in two important outcomes that made
World War II immediate. The British and French, alarmed over the move, gave
assurances to states in Germany’s vicinity that both would not permit any German
expansion. Meanwhile, squashing Czechoslovakia allowed Hitler to focus on his
next target, Poland.
255 Germany/325 Italy
MID#127
Started in March 1921. See the narrative in the 220 France/255 Germany dyad dispute list.
255 Germany/339 Albania
MID#3348
Started in January 1916. See the narrative in the 300 Austria-Hungary/339 Albania dyad
dispute list.
255 Germany/345 Yugoslavia
MID#257
Started in July 1914. See the narrative in the 300 Austria-Hungary/345 Yugoslavia dyad
dispute list.