Hitler Begins to Move
Lebensraum Increase German “living space” Hitler believes Germany should have more territory in Europe To accomplish this he needs to build economically and militarily
Rearmament 1933 Hitler begins to rearm country Train soldiers, place in reserves, by 1935 Wehrmacht has 300,000 soldiers Train pilots in civilian/commercial airplanes, by 1935 Luftwaffe has 2,500 warplanes, by 1939 8,250 warplanes Train naval and submarine crews abroad, by 1939 had 95 warships Publicly announces rearmament in March 1935 and compulsory military conscription; number served 1935-1945 over 20 million
Treaty Violations Rearmament and conscription March 7, 1936 Hitler moves troops into the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles “Anschluss” in Austria Czechoslovokia
Hitler’s Alliances October 1933 Hitler removes Germany from the League of Nations Rome-Berlin Axis: Italy; they call themselves the “Axis Powers” Anti-Comintern Pact: Japan; Italy later signs also; they use this as an excuse to aggressions claiming to fight communism
Austria Nazi Party born in Austria Austria agrees to a union with Germany (Anschluss), then backs down German army marches into Austria unopposed Violation of Treaty of Versailles but no action taken
Czechoslovakia Sudetenland: important defensive region in western Cz. Many Germans live here Nazi Party grows in strength Hitler announces he will annex to protect Germans Violation of Treaty of Verailles
Czechoslovakia Munich Conference-1938 Britain, France, Italy, Germany give in to Hitler on Sudetenland Allies abandon Czechoslovakia Germany invades the rest of CZ 1939-no response from Allies
Preparations for War Britain and France realize they can’t continue to ignore Hitler (Appeasement) Want an alliance with Soviets but can’t come to an agreement 1939 Hitler announces agreement with Stalin: Nazi-Soviet Pact; agree to nonaggression towards each other in case of war
World War II September 1, 1939 Hitler announces annexation of Danzig (Free City)-port city in Poland Also invades Poland (26 days) France and Great Britain had agreement to protect Poland Declare war on Germany Sept. 3, 1939
Vocabulary Axis Powers Anti-Comintern Pact Munich Conference Appeasement Nazi-Soviet Pact Danzig