Lead Up to WWII- Hunter Malinowski

Hindenberg appoints Hitler

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler is appointed leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. The President appointed him, making him chancellor of the nation-state.

Enabling Act of 1933

Mar 23, 1933

The Enabling Act of 1933 was added as an amendment to the German constitution. It gave Hitler complete power over Nazi Germany.

Night of the Long Knives

Jun 30, 1934

The Nazis carried out many executions to secure Hitler's power. The people murdered included SA leaders and any other political enemies.

Nuremberg Laws

Sep 15, 1935

The Nuremberg race laws were passed. They removed German Jews' rights of citizenship.

Germany militarizes Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

Germany violates terms of 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the 1925 Locarno Pact. Rhineland was a demilitarized zone. This is the first act of military aggression under Hitler.

2nd Sino-Japanese War

Jul 7, 1937

Japan launches an invasion of China after an incident at the Marco Polo Bridge in Peking. This is the start of WW2 in Asia.

Hossbach Conference

Nov 5, 1937

Hitler held a secret conference where he revealed his war plans. He wanted to acquire more land for Germany.

Germany annexes Austria

Mar 13, 1938

Austria is the first country to be taken control of under Hitler. Germany completed the annexation of Austria, which politically unified the two countries.

Munich Agreement

Sep 30, 1938

Hitler makes the French and British allow him to annex part of Czechoslovakia. This part of Czechoslovakia was known as Sudetenland.

German Occupation of Czechoslovakia

Mar 15, 1939

Germany violated the Munich agreement. They occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Start of WW2

Sep 3, 1939

Germany invaded Poland. This was the start of WW2 in Europe. Britain, France, Canada, and other nations declare war on Germany.