1. Objectives: Hitler’s aggression in Europe.
Hitler Takes Action
Objectives: Hitler’s aggression in Europe.

2. Militarizing the Rhineland
Treaty of Versailles
Germany must keep all military out of the area in the Rhine River Valley – borders France
1936 Hitler sends troops to the Rhineland
Claimed it was to protect Germany because of “France and Soviet union military agreement.”
No military response

3. The Anschluss Wanted to unite all ethnic Germans
Tried to force Austrian government to Anschluss – union with Germany
Popular among Austrians
Another violation of treaty

4. The Sudetenland Hitler was confident no one would stop him
Wanted control of German speaking region of Czechoslovakia
The Sudetenland
Encouraged them to protest against government
Began threatening military attack
Neville Chamberlain (British Prime Minister)
Attempt to avoid conflict
Agreed to allow Hitler to annex the Sudetenland
Boasted that he has achieved “peace for out time.”

6. Unstoppable?
Why allow Hitler to take all of this territory?

7. Appeasement Giving in to aggressive demands
Many thought Hitler would stop after the Sudetenland
Many saw he would not
Winston Churchill – condemned Chamberlain as cowardly

11. Early Moves
Hitler sent troops to take over the remainder of Czechoslovakia
What did he want?
Established a pact with Italy
1939 – announced a nonaggression pact with Soviet Union
Stay out of the way

12. Blitzkrieg