German Expansion

German Expansion

Period: Jan 1, 1937 to May 31, 1942

Hitler meets with top Military Generals Secretly

Nov 5, 1937

Hitler wanted Germany to grow, so in this secret meeting he said he needed his neighboring lands Austria and Czechoslovakia

Germany and Austria become an Alliance

Mar 12, 1938

German troops out of nowhere walked onto Austrian land and the next day Germany and Austria were allies

Munich Agreement Signing

Sep 30, 1938

Germany and France were the signers. Germany now has control over Sudetenland and gained part of Czechoslovakia with no violence.

Czechoslovakia invaded by Germany

Mar 15, 1939

Germany invaded Czechoslovakia with troops. Overnight Hitler claimed the country.

Nonaggression Pact Signing

Aug 23, 1939

Stalin and Hitler signed the pact after being enemies. This included splitting Poland between the two countries.

Blitzkrieg (Invasion) of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

The lightning strike tactic used with tanks and planes was created to invade Polish countryside.

France and Britain Declare War On Germany

Sep 3, 1939

France and Great Britain declared war on Germany after Poland was terrorized.

German unexpectedly Invades Denmark and Poland

Apr 9, 1940

Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway to "protect" their freedom and independence. Hitler wanted to build bases along the coast to set up an attack on Britain.

Hitler Gives France Terms of Surrender

Jun 22, 1940

Italy allied with Germany and invaded France and then Germany invaded Paris. Hitler gave french officers the terms which let him occupy the northern part of France.

Royal Air Force (RAF) shoot down 185 German Fighter Planes

Sep 15, 1940

The RAF used radar to shoot down 185 German planes, but Germany was attacking British cities while this was happening.