1. THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR II

2. Adolf Hitler  His main goal was to unify the entire German- speaking world (Volk).  His focus would include Austria and regions inhabited by the Slavs, a lesser people.

3. Lebensraum  Germans needed more living space  Included Poland and Ukraine which the Germans would need for food purposes.

4. Hitler Re-arms  Creates a German Air Force  Conscription of 500,000

5. Hitler Pact  Hitler agrees to a non-aggression pact with Poland (which he breaks later)

6. League of Nations- a joke?  Japan conquers Manchuria.  China appeals to the League for help.  League does very little.

7. Italy invades Ethiopia  League denounces the move and imposes sanctions against Italy, ineffective.

8. Rome-Berlin Axis  Alliance between Hitler and Mussolini.

9. Rhineland  German sends troops into the Rhineland, a buffer between Germany and France.  France and Britain appease Hitler.

10. Maginot Line  France felt somewhat protected behind this barrier.

11. Spanish Civil War  Falangists, fascists led by Francisco Franco war with republic.  Fascists succeed thanks to the support of Hitler and Mussolini

12. Anti-Comintern Pact  Japan allies itself with Germany and Italy.

13. Kurt Von Schuschnigg  Leader of Austria  Called for a vote on whether to join Germany or not.

14. Anschluss  Germany unites with Austria

15. Hitler focuses his attention of the Czechs.

16. Sudetenland  Region of Czechoslovakia inhabited by many German-speaking people.

17. Appeasement  Chamberlain “Peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.”  March 1939: Hitler invades and take control of of Czechoslovakia.

18. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact  Signed in August of 1939.  Soviets agreed to not intercede if Poland was invaded.  Soviets would in turn take over the Baltic States and Romania.

19. September 1, 1939  Poland is invaded by Germany.  Britain and France declare war of Germany two days later.

20. Homework:  Create a detailed time-line highlighting important events that occurred during World War II.