Nazi Aggression Leads to World War Two
The Weimar Republic ruled Germany from the end of WWI until Hitler rose to power
Nazi’s begin to rise to power in the early 1920s
In prison he writes about his political and social philosophies
1933- Nazis Gain Power One of Hitler’s first acts was to withdraw Germany from the League of Nations
1935 Hitler openly declares that Germany will rebuild its military- in clear violation of the Versailles Treaty French and British take no action
Germany Economy Rises
March 1936: The Rhineland in Germany, on border with France Versailles Treaty had required it to be demilitarized to protect France Hitler announced it would be re- militarized. British and French took no action
October 1936: Rome-Berlin Axis Germany & Italy form a military alliance known as the Axis (Hitler said the world would revolve on an axis from Rome to Berlin) Japan joined the Axis soon after
March 1938: Union with Austria Nazi forced march into Austria to claim it as part of the German “Third Reich” Austrian government does not resist
September 1938: The Sudetenland Sudetenland territory in Czechoslovakia valuable territory: mining, good farmland, huge arms factories, heavily fortified to defend against possible German attack 3 million residents there were German-speaking Hitler demanded it be given to Germany
September 1938: Munich Conference British and French leaders meet with Hitler over Sudetenland follow policy of appeasement: giving into demands in order to avoid war allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland if he promises not to take any more land
March 1939 Nazis threaten the rest of Czechoslovakia and establish indirect control
August 1939: Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Hitler & Stalin make secret agreement if either goes to war, the other will not attack when war happens will divide Poland between themselves Other countries shocked, start to prepare for war, but take no action
August 1939: Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
September 1, 1939 Nazis invade Poland Blitzkrieg- lightning war- very swift, heavy invasion- planes, tanks, artillery, etc. Sept 3rd -Britain and France declare war on Germany World War Two has begun!