German Expansion Timeline

Hitler's Secret

Nov 5, 1937

Secretly, Hitler met with his top military advisers. He wanted to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich. He wanted more land and prosperity for Germany. A Hitler advisor warned Hitler that this could provoke war, but Hitler still took the risk. His words were, "The German Question' can be solved only by means of force, and this is never without risk."

German March

Mar 12, 1938

The Paris Peace Conference created the small nation of Austria, out of the remains of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The majority of Austria's population were Germans and wanted unification with Germany. On this day, German troops marched into Austria unopposed.

Germany - Austria

Mar 13, 1938

On this day, Germany announced that its union with Austria was complete. The rest of the world did nothing to challenge Germany; they just let it happen.

Munich Agreement

Sep 30, 1938

French premier Edouard Daladier and British prime minister Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler in Munich. Hitler led them to believe Sudetenlan would be his "last terrestrial demand." In an effort to avoid war, they fell through on their promise to protect all of Czech. Churchill believed they adopted the policy of appeasement. Germany took over Sudetenland with not a single shot being fired. Chamberlain returned home then stated, "My friends, there has come back from Germany peach with honor."

Germnay Wasn't Done with Czech

Mar 15, 1939

Churchill's hypothesis was correct; Hitler wasn't done expanding Germany. On this day, German troops marched into the remains of Czechoslovakia. At nightfall Hitler teased. "Czech has ceased to exist." Next, Hitler had his eyes on Poland's territory.

Nonaggression Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Stalin (Russia) surprised everyone and signed a nonaggression pact with Hitler Germany). On this day, fascist Germany and communist Russia promised to never attack one another. However, Germany and the Soviet Union also had a secret pact, agreeing to divide Poland amongst them.

Blitzkrieg

Sep 1, 1939

On this day, Germany's air force flew over Poland, dropping bombs on its military bases, cities, airfileds, and railroads. Meanwhile, German tanks traveled through Poland; spreading terror and confusion. This was a test of Germany's new military strategy, blitzkrieg - lightning war.

This is War

Sep 3, 1939

Two days after the attack on Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Unfortunately, their allies and them alike, couldn't mount a defense in time. During the end of the fighting, the Soviet Union gained some of Poland's territory by attacking it from the east. Germany's annexed western portion made up amlost two-thirds of Poland's population. Eventually, Poland ceased to exist. WW2 began.

Denmark and Norway Invasion

Apr 9, 1940

Hitler claimed that in order "to protect [those countries'] freedom and idependence," he would launch a surprise invasion on Norway and Denmark. In reality, Hitler planned to build bases along the coasts to strike at Great Britian.

Overtaken

May 31, 1940

Later, Hitler turned against the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. They were overrun by the end of may. The war had ended.

Surrender

Jun 22, 1940

Hitler handed French officers his terms of surrender, at Compiegne. His terms were, Germany would occupy the northern part of France, and a Nazi-controlled puppet government, headed by Petain, would be set up at Vichy, in southern France.