The bomb pic 1

The Sparks That Ignited the Powder Keg of WWII

By samueller

  • The Treaty of Versailles at the End of WWI

    The Treaty of Versailles at the End of WWI
    Reparations of Treaty of Versailles
    After their defeat in WWI, Germany is further humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles and the blame it placed on Germany.
    Punishments included:
    - The disarming of Germany's armed forces
    - army could only have 100,000 men
    - Full blame of the war placed on their weakened nation
    - Seizing their property and land
    - Massive reparations
    - $5 Billion per year until 1921
    - 30 years to pay remaining reparations

  • The Beer Hall Putsch

    The Beer Hall Putsch
    More Information on the Beer Hall Putsch-
    - Hitler and others try to stage a coup to overthrow the Bavarian government.
    - It is unsuccessful, and he ended up being sentenced to five years in prison (although he only served nine months)
    - Publicity of trials brought him fame as a sort of "cult hero"
    - There in the Landsberg prison, he began to gather his views and dictate Mein Kampf

  • Mein Kampf is published

    Mein Kampf is published
    • Although it sold very slowly initially, as Hitler rose to power its popularity kept increasing
    • It outlined and basically foreshadowed WWII and the Holocaust
    • If more people paid attention to this book and took it seriously, then maybe Britain and France wouldn't have been so soon to appease him
    • By the end of WWII, over 10 million copies in Germany distributed
    • "Nazi Bible"

  • The Election of 1932

    The Election of 1932
    Ballot Document
    Hitler's Campaign
    - Hitler runs for President
    - "Freedom and Bread"
    - Nazis vs. Social Democrats vs. Communists
    - Nazis win

  • Germany withdraws from International Disarmament Conference and League of Nations

    Germany withdraws from International Disarmament Conference and League of Nations
    Withdrawal from League of Nations document
    - Germany's way of saying that they are done being the downtrodden, weak foes of the world
    - Hitler wanted to rapidly expand Germany's military power
    - "Geneva Disarmament Conference" - to prevent another world war
    - Access denied.
    - Should have been a HUGE red flag
    - Withdrew from League of Nations - "You can't tell us what to do!"

  • Germany made nonaggression pact with Poland

    Germany made nonaggression pact with Poland
    Text of German/Polish Non-agression Pact
    - Tried to calm the border disputes caused by the Treaty of Versailles
    - To minimize risk of being victims of Germany's upcoming fury
    - Hitler ended up invading Poland, so...oops, misjudged that one, Poles

  • Hitler forms German Air Force and reinstates Conscription (Draft)

    Hitler forms German Air Force and reinstates Conscription (Draft)
    • Hitler is continuing his mission to build up his military strength
    • Totally defying the Treaty of Versailles
    • "The viper has grown its fangs back to be even longer and sharper than before, and it's coming for you"

  • Hitler formally renounced the disarmament provisions of the Versailles Treaty

    Hitler formally renounced the disarmament provisions of the Versailles Treaty
    • Hitler finally says that enough is enough
    • "I'm breaking the rules whether you like it or not"
    • League of Nations, "You broke your promise, but since you already started..."

  • Neutrality Act of 1935

    Neutrality Act of 1935
    Text of Neutrality Act of 1935
    - Prohibited the exportation of war supplies and arms to foreign nations at war
    - Arms manufacturers in U.S. had to apply for export license
    - Further shows American isolationalism

  • Neutrality Act of 1936

    Neutrality Act of 1936
    • Previous Neutrality Act renewed
    • "Just stay over there away from us. We'll pretend that nothing is happening."

  • Neutrality Act of 1937

    Neutrality Act of 1937
    • "Belligerent" ships = ships in war conflict
    • No loans to belligerent nations
    • No travelling on those ships
    • "Cash-and-carry"

  • Hitler occupies Austria

    Hitler occupies Austria
    Annexation of Austria
    - Non-violent
    - Calm reaction
    - Britain and France pretty much do nothing and let Hitler do what he wants
    - Another missed warning
  • Period: to

    The Munich Conference

    Munich Conferernce Footage
    - Hitler gets everything he wants
    - People still aren't seeming to take Hitler seriously

  • Nazi-Soviet pact

    Nazi-Soviet pact
    • Hitler and Stalin would not go to war with each other
    • Split the riches of the invasion of Poland
    • It was obvious that Hitler was lying, but Stalin didn't want to side with the British

  • Hitler Invades Poland

    Hitler Invades Poland
    • Finally gets Great Britain and France's attention
    • They had promised to protect Poland from unprovoked attack
    • They have been yanked into the conflict by Treaty

  • Britain and France declare war

    Britain and France declare war
    • The powder keg has officially gone off
    • Had to declare war because of Treaty with Poland
    • Britain dropped 13 tons of anti-Nazi propaganda leaflets over Germany
    • And it has officially begun...