Question

hitler promised to tear up the versailles treaty. one article of the treaty forbade german troops from entering the rhineland, a buffer zone between germany and france. two headlines and articles from the new york times of march 8, 1936, are excerpted below. they explain this issue from the german and the french points of view.
hitler sends german troops into rhineland
berlin, march 7—germany today cast off the last shackles fastened upon her by the treaty of versailles when adolf hitler, as commander-in-chief of the reich defense forces, sent his new battalions into the rhinelands demilitarized zone.... \after three years of ceaseless battle,\ hitler concluded, \i look upon this day as marking the close of the struggle for german equality status and with that re-won equality the path is now clear for germanys return to european collective cooperation.\
paris appeals to league
paris, march 7—france has laid germanys latest treaty violation before the council of the league of nations. at the same time the french government made it quite clear that there could be no negotiation with germany... as long as a single german soldier remained in the rhineland in contravention violation of germanys signed undertakings agreements.... what is essential, in the french view, is that the german government must be compelled by diplomatic pressure first, and by stronger pressure if need be, to withdraw from the rhineland.
source: the new york times, march 8, 1936 (adapted)
what action did hitler take in defiance of the versailles treaty? how did he explain his action?

what was the reaction in france? how might this have led to war?

Explanation:

• Hitler's action and explanation:
• The text "HITLER SENDS GERMAN TROOPS INTO RHINELAND" clearly shows that Hitler sent German troops into the Rhineland, which was a violation of the Versailles Treaty (as the treaty forbade German troops from entering the Rhineland).
• Hitler explained his action by stating that Germany was casting off the "last shackles" of the Treaty of Versailles. He also said that after three years of "ceaseless battle", this marked the close of the struggle for German equality status and that with this re - won equality, the path was clear for Germany's return to European collective cooperation.
• French reaction and potential for war:
• The French reaction was to lay Germany's treaty violation before the Council of the League of Nations. They made it clear that there could be no negotiation with Germany as long as a single German soldier remained in the Rhineland in contravention of Germany's signed undertakings. The French view was that the German government must be compelled by diplomatic pressure (and stronger pressure if needed) to withdraw from the Rhineland.
• This could have led to war because if Germany refused to withdraw (as Hitler seemed to be defiantly occupying the Rhineland), and France (and potentially its allies, if the League of Nations took a firm stance) decided to enforce the treaty through military means (as the French mentioned "stronger pressure if need be"), a military conflict could have erupted.

Answer:

• Hitler's action and explanation:
• Hitler sent German troops into the Rhineland. He explained it as casting off the last shackles of the Treaty of Versailles and achieving German equality status, clearing the path for Germany's return to European collective cooperation.
• French reaction and potential for war:
• France appealed to the League of Nations and said no negotiation until German withdrawal. It could lead to war if Germany refused and France (or allies) used force to enforce the treaty.