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Period: to
Actions of Hitler
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Compulsory Milatiry Conscription and rebuilding of the armed forces
Almost immediately he began to rebuild the military and started his quest for territorial expansion. (Although Britain and France were aware of Hitler's actions, they were also concerned about the rise of the Soviet Union and believed that a stronger Germany might help to prevent the spread of the influence of the Soviet Union in Europe.) -
reoccupying a demilitarized zone
In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the Rhineland. At this point the German army was not very strong and could have been easily defeated. Yet neither France nor Britain was prepared to start another war -
Roman-Berlin axis pact and Anti-Comitern pact
In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the Rhineland. At this point the German army was not very strong and could have been easily defeated. Yet neither France nor Britain was prepared to start another war -
Artical 80 is violated Anschluss is formed
Hitler's next step was to begin taking back the land that had been taken away from Germany. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria. The Austrian leader was forced to hold a vote asking the people whether they wanted to be part of Germany. The results of the vote were fixed and showed that 99% of Austrian people wanted Anschluss (union with Germany). Hitler promised that Anschluss was the end of his expansionist aims and not wanting to risk war. -
Hitler took part of Czechoslovakia
Hitler did'nt keep his word and six months later demanded that the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia be handed over to Germany. Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Britain met with Hitler three times during September 1938 to try to reach an agreement that would prevent war. The Munich Agreement stated that Hitler could have the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia provided that he promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia. The idea of giving into Hitler's demands was known as appeasement. -
Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia
Hitler was not a man of his word and in March 1939 invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. Despite calls for help from the Czechoslovak government, neither Britain nor France was prepared to take military action against Hitler. However, some action was now necessary and believing that Poland would be Hitler's next target. -
Invading Poland
Both Britain and France promised that they would take military action against Hitler if he invaded Poland. Chamberlain believed that, faced with the prospect of war against Britain and France, Hitler would stop his aggression. Chamberlain was wrong. German troops invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 which triggered the start of WWII.