<P> German nationalists used the existence of large German minorities in other countries as a basis for territorial claims . Many of the propaganda themes of the Nazi regime against Czechoslovakia and Poland claimed that the ethnic Germans (Volksdeutsche) in those territories were persecuted . </P> <P> The Nazis negotiated a number of population transfers with Joseph Stalin and others with Benito Mussolini so that both Germany and the other country would increase their ethnic homogeneity . However, these population transfers were not sufficient to appease the demands of the Nazis . The Heim ins Reich rhetoric of the Nazis over the continued disjoint status of enclaves such as Danzig and East Prussia was an agitating factor in the politics leading up to World War II, and is considered by many to be among the major causes of Nazi aggressiveness and thus the war . Adolf Hitler used these issues as a pretext for waging wars of aggression against Czechoslovakia and Poland . </P> <P> On 7 March 1936, Hitler sent a small expeditionary force into the demilitarized Rhineland . This was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles (1919, official end of World War I), and as such, France and Britain were within their rights, via the Treaty, to oust the German forces . British public opinion blocked any use of military force, thus preventing French action, as they were internally divided and would not act without British support . </P> <P> In 1933, a considerable number of anti-Nazi Germans fled to the Saar, as it was the only part of Germany left outside the Third Reich's control . As a result, anti-Nazi groups campaigned heavily for the Saarland to remain under control of League of Nations as long as Adolf Hitler ruled Germany . However, long - held sentiments against France remained entrenched, with very few sympathizing openly with France . When the 15 - year - term was over, a plebiscite was held in the territory on 13 January 1935: 90.3% of those voting wished to join Germany . </P>

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