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Period: to
World War II
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Hitler Rebuilt the German Army
On this day, Hitler violated The Treaty of Versailles by building up a massive army. Hitler ensured the surrounding European countries that he was doing it just for defensive reasons. Hitler even agreed to any limitations on heavy artillery and tanks! Therefore, no one challenged Hitler and the army was built. -
Germany Invades Rhineland
Germany violated the Treaty of Versailles once again when they moved their troops into Rhineland (a 31 mile wide strip of land the separates France, Belgium, and Germany that was set aside by the treaty). Even though Germany broke the treaty, none of the European countries challenged Hitler in hope of avoiding war. Therefore, Hitler ignored the agreement and took Rhineland. -
Germany Takes Austria
When the German troops entered Austria in 1938, there was no one there to defend the nation. A few weeks later, the Nazis held a vote to see who approved of the Anschluss (the joining of Germany and Austria). When the results came back, 99.7% of Austrians had voted "yes". Therefore, Austria was taken. Other countries felt that Austria was not worth fighting for, so they let it go as well. -
German Takes Sudetenland
On this day, Czech appeased Hitler by giving him Sudetenland. Hitler demanded this land and the Czechs refused to give it up in an equally as firm manner. Right before war broke out, Italian, German, French, and British leaders agreed to give Hitler Sudetenland if he promised that he would have no more demands for territory. So, once again, Hitler got what he wanted. -
Germany Declares War on Poland
Three days after Germany declared war on Poland, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany, and Word War II begins. It takes Germany only 18 days to take over Poland. Right away the Germans begin sending Jews from Poland to death camps, killing them on the spot, and torturing them. -
Mass Murder of Polish-Jews
Starting in 1939, the Nazis repeated the steps they used to kill Jews in Germany in Poland. Anyone who threatened or opposed the German government would be sent to a concentration camp and all Jews were deported to death camps. Polish children who had Aryan features or ancestry were kidnapped and sent to Germany to be "purified". Jews were constantly tortured, abused, and killed until even German officers questioned Hitler's methods. -
Conquering the West
Starting in April, 1940, Germany conquered Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France. The only nation that Hitler did not control was Great Britain. People from the conquered countries began to stand up to Hitler. Finally, Winston Churchill was elected chancellor of Britain. His main objective was to overthrow Hitler and restore order to Europe. -
Germany Invades Russia
On this day Hitler ordered the invasion of Russia. The objective was to eliminate Jews living in Russia and kill anyone who was thought to be an "enemy". By this time in the war, killing had become routine and systematic. Over seven hundred thousand Jews and thousands of Ukrainians, Gypsies, Poles, and other enemies had been killed in death camps and the Germans continued to spread their operation. -
The United States Enters The War
On December 8, 1941 the U.S. declares war on Japan in retaliation for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. When Japan seeks Germany's help, Hitler declares war on the United States. Now Germany would have to face the three great super powers of the time: The U.S., Great Britain, and the Soviet Union.
