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Hitler's Annexation of Czechoslovakia
Hitler wanted to annex Czechoslovakia to provide more living space for Germany and to control its important natural resources.Hitler stated that the Czechs were abusing the Sudeten Germans, and he began massing troops on the Czech border. -
Germany's Anschluss with Austria
The Paris Peace Conference created the small nation of Austria out of what was left of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The majority of Austria’s 6 million people were Germans who favored unification with Germany. German troops marched into Austria unopposed. Germany announced that its Anschluss, or “union,” with Austria was complete. -
The Munich Pact
The Munich Pact permitted the Nazi Germans to annex Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland, areas along the Czech borders. At a conference in Munich, the terms of the negotiation were discussed between European and Czechoslovakian powers. -
Germany's Annexation of the Sudetenland
France and Great Britain promised to protect Czechoslovakia. Hitler met with French premier Édouard Daladier and British prime minister Neville Chamberlain and declared that the annexation of the Sudetenland would be his “last territorial demand.” Daladier and Chamberlain sided with Hitler in order to avoid war. They signed the Munich Agreement, which turned theSudetenland over to Germany without a single shot being fired. -
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Stalin and Hitler signed the pact committing Germany and Russia to not attack each other. In turn, Germany and the Soviet union signed a pact to conquer and divide Poland between them. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
German Luftwaffe, or German air force, flew over Poland, dropping bombs on military bases, airfields, railroads, and cities. German tanks raced across the Polish countryside. The invasion was the first test of Germany’s newest military strategy, the blitzkrieg, or lightning war. -
The Phony War
French and British troops were stationed along the Maginot Line staring into Germany waiting for an outbreak. Germans stared right back a few miles away, creating a "sitting war". Hitler attacked Denmark and Norway and planned to build bases along their borders to attack Great Britain. Hitler then attacked the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. -
The Miracle at Dunkirk
Allied soldiers were evacuated from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk. The British, French, and Belgium troops had been separated from the war by Germany. -
The Fall of France
400,000 British and French soldiers were trapped on the French side of the English Channel on the beaches of Dunkirk. The soldiers were senf to safety across the Channel. Italy joined forces with Germany and invaded France from the south while the Germans incaded Paris. -
The Battle of Britain
Germans began to assemble an invasion fleet along the French coast. Their naval power could not compete with Britain so Germany launched an air war at the same time. The Luftwaffe began bombing Britain. Germany wanted to gain control of the sky and destroyed Britain's Royal Air Force. For two months straight, Germany attacked London/
