Section 2 I. The German Path to War A.Adolf Hitler believed that Germany could build a great civilization. He needed more land for the German people. Hitler wanted land to the east in Soviet Union.

Visual Source Hitler’s Aggressions The title is: "80 million Germans live on 580,000 square kilometers." The point is that Germany is overcrowded, and needs more territory.

B.In March 1935, Hitler created a new air force and began a military draft. These actions were indirect disagreement with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. France, Great Britain, and Italy condemned Hitler ’ s moves.

C.In March 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland. Germansoldiers were not suppose to be in this area, but Great Britain did nothing.

D.In 1936, Adolf Hitler (Germany) and Benito Mussolini (Italy) became allies forming the Rome-Berlin Axis. Germany also signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan forming an alliance against communism.

Hitler’s Aggressions Rome-Berlin Axis 1936 Axis Powers Anti-Comintern Pact pledged to stop the spread of communism

E.In 1938, Hitler had gotten Austria to come under German rule by force (meaning annexed.) The Treaty of Versailles had forbidden any union betweenGermany and Austria.

Hitler’s Aggressions Reichstag Ovation 1938 Addition of Austria increased Germany ’ s population, territory, and resources. Germany now controlled the heart of Europe!

F.In 1938, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland in northwestern Czechoslovakia be given to Germany. At the Munich conference, Britain and France gave in to Hitler ’ s demands and allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland.

Hitler’s Aggressions Why was Hitler so eager to take Czechoslovakia? Czechoslovakia was an industrial power – It was the Military Weapons Capital of Europe! The Czechs had major raw mineral deposits. Location, location, location!

Hitler’s Aggressions Munich Conference 29 Sept 1938 Hitler invited GB & France to discuss the Sudetenland situation. appeasement Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appeasement was based on the belief that if European countries satisfied reasonable demands of dissatisfied states, the dissatisfied states would be content and peace would be preserved.

G.At the Munich conference, Hitler promised that he would not make any other demands. But, by March 1939 Hitler had conquered the remaining portion of Czechoslovakia. Hitler then demanded Poland.

Hitler’s Aggressions Preparing for WAR Britain & France could no longer ignore Hitler Britain & France could no longer ignore Hitler Britain begins to rearm and pushes through conscription Britain begins to rearm and pushes through conscription GB joins France in a promise to protect Poland if Germany attacks GB joins France in a promise to protect Poland if Germany attacks Asked USSR to join them but talks dragged with no agreement Asked USSR to join them but talks dragged with no agreement

J.France and Great Britain began to react. Great Britain said it would protect Poland if Hitler invaded. France and Britain began talks with Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator. They needed help from the Soviet Union to contain Germany.

K.Hitler was afraid of an alliance between the West and the Soviet Union. In August 1939, Germany and Soviet Union signed the Nonaggression Pact promising not to attack each other. Hitler offered Stalin eastern Poland and the Baltic States in return for signing the pact.

Political Cartoon Hitler’s Aggressions

L.On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland without fear of an attack by the Soviet Union. September 3, 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany.