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The Austrian Anschluss
In the previous year, Hitler had called for a unification of all German-speaking people, including those in Austria and Czechoslovakia. Hitler believed Germany could expand its territory only by “resorting to force with its attendant risks." He threatened to invade German-speaking Austria and later did. The Anschluss, or unification, of Austria and Germany was announced. -
The Munich Conference
When Hitler announced German claims to Sudetenland, Czechoslovakians strongly resisted the demands and France, with help from the Soviet Union & Britain, threatened to fight if Germany attacked. Representatives from Italy, France, Germany, and Britain agreed to meet in Munich to make a decision and Britain and France agreed to Hitler’s demands, which resulted in an appeasement. Czechoslovakia had to give up Sudetenland or fight Germany on its own. In March 1939, Germany divided Czechoslovakia. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
A month after the Munich Conference, Hitler demanded the city of Danzig be returned to German control. His demands convinced France & Britain war was inevitable. On March 31, 1939, Britain announced if Poland went to war, Britain and France would help. In May 1939, Hitler ordered his army to prepare to invade Poland. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Stalin agreed to the nonaggression treaty German officials proposed. The world was shocked because communism & nazism were supposed to be total opposites. Leaders of Britain and France knew that Hitler made the deal to free himself from war against their countries and Poland, but they didn't know that the treaty had a secret deal to divide Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union. -
The Invasion of Poland
Due to the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Gemrany invaded Poland. 2 days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany and WWII started. Germany used new type of warfare, blitzkrieg, to break through and quickly encircle enemy positions. Wasaw fell to the Germans on Sept. 27 and Germans defeated the Polish military on Oct. 5, 1939. -
The Fall of France
Both Britain and France waited behind the Magniot Line for Germany to attack. Their decision to wait resulted to be disastrous because Germany could simply focus on Poland and its troops went around the Magniot Line. On May 10, German troops attacked the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The British and French expected the attack, but the Germans still managed to defeat French lines and turn west across northern France to the English Channel and trap the British and French armies in Belgium. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
After the Germans trapped the British and French in Belgium, they realized they could evacuate their troops by sea from the only port not captured by Germans, Dunkirk. Hitler told German forces to stop closingin on Dunkirk for no known reason. This 3- day delay gave the British time to stregthen its lines and evacuate. Successfully, about 3388,000 troops were rescued, but much of the British army's equipment remained in Dunkirk. -
The Battle of Britain
Hitler had expected Britain to negotiate pecae after France surrendered. On June 4, 1940, WInston Chruchill vowed in his speech that Britain would never surrender. Then, Hitler ordered his commanders to prepare to invade and defeat the British Royal Air Force. In mid-August of 1940, the Luftwaffe launched an all-out air battle to destroy the Royal Air Force, known as the Battle of Britain. After this battle, hings become more compllicated after German bombers accidentally bombed London.
