THE TIMETABLE OF AGGRESSION Steps to the outbreak of World War II

The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria 1931

1933- Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany By June 1934, Hitler had become “Der Fuhrer” – the leader – with unchallenged power in Germany.

1934- attempted Anschluss with Austria  In 1934 Hitler attempted to unite with Austria.  This was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.  The attempt was halted by Mussolini, who moved 100,000 troops to the Austrian border.  Hitler ordered the Austrian Nazis to back off.

1935-Italian invasion of Abyssinia

1936 – Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland

1937 – Japan invaded the rest of China

March 1938 – Hitler completed the Anschluss with Austria

September Munich Crisis  Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland be `ceded to Germany.  He threatened war if he did not get it.  At the Munich Conference, France and Britain appeased Hitler by agreeing to his demand.  Czechoslovakia was forced to give in to German demands.

March 1939 – Germany occupied rest of Czechoslovakia  In March 1939 Hitler broke his word and occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia.  This ended appeasement and rearmament rates increased

1 September 1939 – Germany invaded Poland  Poland rejected German demands for control of the Danzig Corridor  Germany invaded Poland  Britain and France declared war on Germany.  Poland was defeated within three weeks by a new tactic - Blitzkrieg