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Treaty of Versailles
After World War I, Britain, France, and the Americas wrote a treaty saying that Germany must pay for all war reparations. Also, they took away Germany's military power and forces. Germany was forced to take all blame for the war. -
Hitler takes control of Germany
Hitler's "rise" happened when President Paul von Hindenburg had appointed Hitler as Chancellor on 30 January 1933 after a series of parliamentary elections and associated backroom intrigues. -
Invasion of the Rhineland
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party gained absolute power in Germany, promising revenge against the Allied powers that had forced the blame and Treaty of Versailles on Germany. In 1935, Hitler violated the military aspects of the treaty and in March 1936 began remilitarizing the Rhineland. -
Anschluss
On March 12, 1938, German troops march into Austria to annex their nation. Hitler established a new Nazi government, and on March 13 the Anschluss was proclaimed. Austria existed as a part of Germany until the end of World War II. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
German troops invaded Bohemia and Moravia. The two locations didn't fight back, and they were quickly made a part of Germany just like Austria. -
Munich Pact
This was an agreement between Britain and Germany in 1938, under which Germany was allowed to extend its territory into parts of Czechoslovakia. Hitler promised in this pact that after he takes control of Czechoslovakia, he would stop attempting to expand his empire. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
The two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. This allowed Joseph Stalin to keep his nation on peaceful terms with Germany, while giving him time to build up the Soviet military. -
Invasion of Poland/ Start of WWII
Germanany bombed Polish airfields, and German warships and U-boats attacked Polish naval forces. Hitler claimed the massive invasion was a defensive action, but Britain and France were not convinced. On September 3, they declared war on Germany, initiating World War II.
