1. Prelude to War

2. The Axis Powers
Mussolini, Hitler and Tojo all had expansionist ambitions
Axis Powers formed in 1936 as an informal alliance between the three
All agreed to divide up the world among themselves

3. Flags of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis

4. The Road to War in Europe
In 1936, Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland that had been taken from Germany after World War I
Germany then annexed Austria in 1938
Both of these actions were clear violations of the Versailles Treaty, but the League of Nations refused to act

5. When Hitler threatened to annex the Sudetenland, Britain and France pursued a policy of “appeasement” in the hopes of avoiding war

6. This proved a failure when Hitler marched on the rest of Czechoslovakia a few months later
Britain and France then threatened war should Germany invade Poland
When Germany did invade Poland on Sept. 1st, 1939, Britain and France reluctantly declared war on Germany
World War II had begun

7. German Blitzkrieg in action in Poland

8. German Stuka dive bombers used to terrorize enemy troops and civilians

9. The Extent of Axis Conquests in Europe