1. War Clouds Gather

2. Germany Expands
1936 – German troops move into the Rhineland – a treaty violation
France and League of Nations take no action
1938 – insisted German-speaking Austria be unified with Germany
& invades

4. Sudetenland – part of Czechoslovakia – many German speaking people; Hitler claims they are being mistreated and claimed the land for Germany
Czechoslovakia ready to fight; Britain and France seek peaceful solution

5. Appeasement
Appeasement – granting of concessions to a hostile power in order to keep peace.

6. September, Munich Agreement – European leaders tell Czechoslovakia to give up Sudetenland or fight Germany on its own. Hitler promised not to expand German territory any more

7. Discussion
“(Britain and France) had to choose between war and shame. They chose shame. They will get war too.” Winston Churchill, 1938 What does Churchill mean in this statement about the Munich Agreement?

8. March, 1939 – Germany took the rest of Czechoslovakia
Plans to invade Poland on the border of the Soviet Union

9. Nonaggression Pact August, 1939 – Hitler and Stalin sign the treaty
Germany and Soviet Union agree not to fight each other

10. Leaves Hitler free to attack Poland without a Soviet response