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Hitler's First "Saturday Surprise."
This was when Hitler, in the name of "defense," declared the rebuilding of the German Air Force and the remaking of its army. This was the first of many "Saturday Surprises" that Hitler would make. Remaking this army and air force would later have a big impact. -
Hitler's second "Saturday Surprise."
This is when the German army took over the Rhineland. This land was not theirs under the Treaty of Versailles. To take the Rhineland, Hitler used Germany's new and reformed army and air force. -
Hitler Meets With Austrian Prime Minister
This meeting was really to convince the Prime Minister to become part of Germany. The Prime Minister refused the offer. Hitler gave him three days to change is mind. -
German Troops Invade Austria
After Hitler gave him three days to change his mind, the Austrian Prime Minister tried to organize a vote so the Austrians themselves could decide. After hearing this, Hitler threatened to invede unless the Minister and president resigned. When this did not happen, German troops invaded Austrian soil. -
Hitler Takes Sudentenland
After many people in the part of Czechoslovakia known as Sudentenland decided to support Hitler, he decided that he wanted that part to become part of Germany. Czechoslovakia refused, becuase they were under protection of Italy, France, and Brittan. On this date, the leaders of these countries got together with Hitler and agreed to give him this land if it was his last land request. -
Hitler Says Other Nations are Hypocritical in Complaints of GErmany Mistreating Jews
On this date, Hitler claimed to the Reichstag that other countries were hypocritical in their complaints of Germany's mistreatment of Jews. He said that countries like America were too enthusiastic about the "splendid" Jews. He also claimed that if Jews were able to become important in other countries, they would be "victorious." -
Prisoners Killed in Gleiwitz
This was when the Nazis took a group of prisoners and marched them to the town of Gleiwitz on the Polish border. They then dressed them in Polish army uniforms and killed them. Their excuse was that it was retaliation for the Polish attacking Gleiwitz. -
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Piotrkow Bombed and Conquered by Germans
This was when the Polish town of Piotrkow was first bombed and then conquered by Germans. The bombing started on the 2nd and continued through the 4th. Then, on the 5th, the Germans entered and took over the town. -
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Germany Conquers Countries to the West
In early April, Germany conquered Denmark and Norrway. In the beginning of May, Germany took over Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Finally, on June 22nd, They had taken France too. -
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Heinrich Himmler Plots Future of Polish Children
During this month, Heinrich Himmler decided that "unfit" children would go to school to be taught simple things. Only to count to 500, write their name, and devine law to obey all Germans. The "fit Aryan" children were shipped to Germany to have the boys trained as soldiers and the girls prepared to be mothers. -
Hitler Orders Invasion of Russia
On this date, Hitler ordered the invasion of Russia to destroy the "Jewish-Bolshevik menace" there. The soldiers that entered to invade were given clearance to kill anyone who was an "enemy of state." As long as they were an "enemy of state," they could be killed. -
United States Enters War
This was the day after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, and on this date, The US declared war on Japan. Because of this, the Japanese ambassador to Germany asked their help to fight the US, since Germany and Japan were allies. Germans did not think that they were obligated to help Japan. -
Hitler Declares War on United States
Even though most Germans did not want to help the Japanese against the US, Hitler was looking for a fight. So he declared war on the United States and helped Japan. However, this action united the US, Britain, and the Soviet Union against Germany, which was not good for them.
