March 1938 was the third month of the year 1938 in the Gregorian calendar. It is most notable for a series of political and diplomatic developments in Europe that accelerated the escalation toward World War II, as well as for various cultural, scientific, and sporting events worldwide.
Overview
During March 1938, the Nazi regime in Germany pursued aggressive territorial expansion, culminating in the annexation of Austria (the Anschluss) and the signing of the Munich Agreement, which ceded the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany. These actions significantly altered the balance of power in Europe and heightened international tensions. In other regions, Japan continued its militaristic policies in East Asia, while the United States experienced domestic political developments under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal administration.
Political and Diplomatic Events
| Date (1938) | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| March 12 | Anschluss – German troops marched into Austria; the Austrian government was compelled to approve union with Nazi Germany. | Marked the first major territorial expansion of Nazi Germany without direct military conflict; effectively dissolved Austrian sovereignty. |
| March 13–14 | German troops entered the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia; a cease‑fire was negotiated with Czechoslovak forces. | Demonstrated Germany’s willingness to use force to achieve its territorial claims. |
| March 24 | Munich Conference – Representatives from Germany, Britain, France, and Italy met in Munich. | Resulted in the Munich Agreement, allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of no further expansion. |
| March 29 | Signing of the Munich Agreement in Munich. | Often cited as an act of appeasement by Britain and France; failed to prevent further aggression by Germany. |
| March 31 | Germany and Italy signed a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Military Assistance, deepening the Axis partnership. | Strengthened the political and military alignment that would later form the core of the Axis Powers. |
| Throughout the month | The Soviet Union continued its industrialization under the Five‑Year Plan and maintained a policy of non‑intervention in the unfolding European crises. | Highlighted the Soviet focus on internal development rather than direct diplomatic engagement with Western powers at this stage. |
International Relations
- Japan – Continued its occupation of northern China and prepared for further expansion in the Pacific, though no major diplomatic events involving Japan occurred in March 1938.
- United States – President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration advanced New Deal legislation; the U.S. maintained a policy of neutrality regarding European affairs, though public opinion began to shift in response to events in Europe.
- United Kingdom & France – Both governments pursued a policy of appeasement, seeking to avoid war through concessions to Germany, exemplified by their participation in the Munich Conference.
Domestic Developments
- Germany: Following the Anschluss, the Nazi regime implemented the Nuremberg Laws in Austrian territory, extending anti‑Jewish legislation.
- United Kingdom: The Housing Act of 1938 received parliamentary approval, aiming to increase the construction of public housing.
- United States: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was under consideration in Congress; debates centered on minimum wage and maximum working hours.
Cultural and Scientific Highlights
- Film: The Hollywood drama “The Adventures of Robin Hood” starring Errol Flynn premiered in the United States (May 1938), with production completed during March.
- Literature: The novel “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck was in the final stages of editing; it would be published later in 1939.
- Science: Physicist Enrico Fermi and his team at the University of Rome completed experiments confirming the existence of the neutron, a discovery that had been announced in 1932 but continued to influence nuclear research in 1938.
Sports
- Association Football (Soccer): The English Football League’s 1937‑38 season concluded in late March, with Arsenal F.C. winning the First Division title.
- Winter Sports: The 1938 World Figure Skating Championships were held in Berlin, Germany, from February 23 to March 6; Austrian skater Karl Schäfer won the men’s title.
Notable Births
- March 5 – John H. Sununu, future Governor of New Hampshire and White House Chief of Staff (USA).
- March 15 – George R. R. Martin, American novelist and screenwriter, best known for the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Notable Deaths
- March 1 – Mikhail Bulgakov (born 1891), Russian writer, author of The Master and Margarita (posthumously published).
- March 18 – Robert W. Service (born 1874), Anglo-Canadian poet and writer, known for “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”.
Legacy
The events of March 1938 are frequently examined by historians as a turning point that demonstrated the failure of appeasement and set the stage for the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. The annexation of Austria and the Munich Agreement are commonly referenced in diplomatic studies as case studies of coercive diplomacy and its limitations.
All information presented is based on widely accepted historical records and scholarly sources.