World Drifting Towards War

I.Political Divisions a. By mid-1930s there were two camps: 1. Dictatorships - Italy & Germany 2. Democracies - U.S., G.B., & France b. Soviet Union did not fit either group

II. March Hitler announces that Germany will not obey the Treaty of Versailles anymore III.The Rhineland a.30 mile wide zone on either side of the Rhine River between France & Germany b.T.O.V. had forbidden Ger. troops there c.March 7, 1936—Hitler sends troops into the Rhineland d.G.B. & France does nothing– 1 ST APPEASEMENT

“The forty-eight hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had then marched into the Rhineland, we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even moderate resistance.” -Dr. Paul Schmidt, Hitler’s interpreter

IV.Rome-Berlin Axis a. October 1936 Ger. & Italy sign an alliance, known as the Rome-Berlin axis b. Japan joined a month later c. These 3 countries become known as the Axis Powers

Mussolini and Hitler

“Germany neither intends nor wishes to interfere in the internal affairs of Austria, to annex Austria, or to conclude an Anschluss.” -Adolf Hitler

V.DEMOCRACIES FAILED TO ACT a. Economically devastated b. Fearful of a long war c. Many Americans were isolationists- Neutrality Acts VI.AUSTRIA & GERMANY a. T.O.V. Had forbidden anschluss (union) between Germany & Austria b. Most Austrians supported Germany c. March 1938-Germany marches into Austria d. G.B. & France do nothing— 2 nd APPEASEMENT

VII. MUNICH CONFERENCE a. Sudetenland-region in w. Czechoslovakia where 3 million Ger. speaking people lived b. Sept Hitler demands Czech. Give up the Sudetenland c. Hitler gives a deadline of Oct. 1 or invasion by Ger. d. Hitler calls for a meeting in Munich-MUNICH CONFERENCE e. Hitler promises that the Sudetenland is his last territorial claim f. G.B. & France give in & Hitler pledges to respect new Czech. Borders-3 rd APPEASEMENT g. 6 months later, Ger. troops march into Czech.

Czech woman crying as Nazi troops go by

The map that Hitler gave Chamberlin at the Munich conference

Hitler & Chamberlin at the Munich Conference

Initial German Successes Germany and Russia Stalin begins secret talks with Hitler because he doubts western aid Hitler and Stalin sign the Non-Aggression Pact Never attack each other Remain neutral if other is attacked Divide up eastern Europe –Germany gets W. Poland –Russia gets E.Poland and Baltics

Initial German Successes… Sept. 1, 1939 Hitler invades Poland, knows the west will not react Sept. 3, Britain and France declare war on Germany 9/1-Germans begin “Blitzkrieg,”- lightening war to attack Poland

Blitzkrieg Use panzers, army, and Luftwaffe Britain and France can't move fast enough Russia mobilizes in East, move Russian Border 70 miles west, take Finland

German Conquest of France Britain and France wait along Maginot Line Maginot Line has a 50 mile weakness through the Ardennes France refuses de Gaulles requests for more support