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Period: to
Rise of WWII
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Hitler's First "Saturday Surprise"
Hitler's first disregard for the Treaty of Versailles occured on a Saturday, thus giving it the name the "Saturday Surprise." On this day, Hitler began rebuilding the German air force, rearming his nation, and he reinstated the draft, which was way over the limit of the treaty. This was completed quite tactfully, for all of the opposing British leaders were away from their usual command. Hitler stated that this was merely for defensive means. -
Hitler's Second "Saturday Surprise" (Taking the Rhineland)
The second "Saturday Surprise" of Hitler was taking back the Rhineland for Germany. Soldiers marched into the area and German planes flew over the Rhineland. The Treaty of Versailles had set aside the Rhineland, which was between Germany and France. Hitler was not supposed to fortify this area with soldiers at all, but he disregarded the treaty yet again and did as he pleased. -
Germany Becomes An Ally of Italy
In the Fall of 1936, Germany and Italy officially became allies. The agreement between the nations ended up benefiting both. Mussolini and Italy got support for their invasion of Ethiopia, and Hitler and Germany now had an open path to take Austria. -
Claiming Austria
Hitler was finally ready to make his move and take Austria. He went and argued with the leader of Austria at the time, and gave him three days to make a final decision. In this time, Prime Minister Kurt Von Schuschnigg organized an election for the people of Austria to decide their fate. However, the Nazis came in and instated their own vote. It was said that 99.7% of Austrians voted for unity. So Germany and Austria were now one. -
Germany Takes Sudetenland
After taking Austria with some ease, Hitler now set his eyes on Czechoslovakia. Soon, Hilter was demanding that he get Czechoslavakia. So, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Britain appeased Hitler in the hope of preventing a war of any sort. At an official meeting with Italy, France, Britain, and Germany, it was agreed that Germany could take Sudetenland, a smaller part of Czechoslovakia. In return, Hitler promised that it would be his last territorial demand. -
The Targeting and Conquest of Poland
Now, the Nazis next target was Poland. Hitler declared war on Poland, and began bombarding the country with assaults, especially the Jewish Poles. Homes were burned down, streets bombed, and the country was in complete disarray. By attacking Poland, Germany got the attention of France and Great Britain. Both declared war on Germany. However, no one could assist Poland, and the nation surrendered in the Fall of 1939. -
Polish Scholars Arrested
With Poland now conquered by Germany, the Nazis wanted to eliminate any Poles that "threatened" Germany. Because educated people were seen as threats, the Nazis arrested hundreds of professors and shipped them off to concentration camps. In doing this, the Nazis felt that they were preventing a future threat to Germany. -
Plotting Against Polish Children
Heinrich Himmler, an elite Nazi during the time of World War II, planned the future of Polish children. The plan was to grant Polish students school up until the fourth grade. Only "Aryan" looking Poles were allowed to avoid this rule. However, these children were kidnapped and brought to Germany for proper job assignments. -
The Nazis Conquer the West
During the Spring of 1940, Germany conquered many European nations in the west. First to fall were both Denmark and Norway. Then Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were taken. By June, France had fallen. Britain was left to fight alone. Because of this situation, the brave Winston Churchill became the new Prime Minister of Great Britain. -
Invasion and Murders in Russia
Hitler now sent his army into Russia to exterminate the Jews, along with many other "enemies" that lived there. Four SS units were sent to complete the task, and they killed thousands of Jews in Russia. By the end of 1941, 700,000 Jews had been killed along with thousands of other enemies of the Nazis. -
The United States Enter WWII
On December 7th, 1941, the Japenese bombed Pearl Harbor. Because of this, the United States declared war on Japan. Japan then went to Germany for support, aand Germany declared war on the U.S. In doing this, Germany and Hitler united three world powers: Russia, Britain, and the United States. World War II had truly begun.
