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Treaty of Versailles
In 1919, Lloyd George , Orlando , Clemenceau and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage of Word War One. Germany had expected a treaty based on Wilson's 14 points and were not happy with the Treaty of Versailles. However, they had no choice but to sign the document. Main terms of the treaty were: War Guilt Clause, Reparations, Disarmament and Territorial Clauses. -
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World War Two
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The Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was the longest and deepest depression of the 20th century. Many countries became poor and had limited jobs. Germany wanted a solution and Hitler was Germanys solution. -
Hitlers Rise to Power
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. He began secretly building up Germany's army and weapons. In 1934 he increased the size of the army, began building warships and created a German airforce. Although Britain and France knew of Hitler's actions, they were also concerned about the rise of Communism and thought that a stronger Germany might help to prevent the spread of Communism. -
Hitler Invades Rhineland
In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the Rhineland. At this point the German army was not very strong and could have been defeated. But neither France or Britain was ready for another war. Hitler made two alliances in 1936. One was called the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact that allied Hitler's Germany with Mussolini's Italy. The second was called the Anti-Comitern Pact and allied Germany with Japan. -
Anchluss
Hitler wanted to take back the land that was taken away from Germany. In March 1938, German troops went into Austria. The Austrian leader was forced to hold a vote asking the people if they wanted to be part of Germany.The results of the vote were fixed and showed that 99% of Austrian people wanted Anschluss. This was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Munich Agreement
The Munich Pact was an agreement permitting the Nazi German to take over Sudetenland. The Sudetenland were areas along Czech borders, mainly inhabited by Germans. -
Hitler Invades Czechoslovakia
Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia in violation of the Munich agreement. Niether Birtian of France were ready to take action even though Czechoslovakia needed help. -
Hitler Invades Poland
Believing that Poland would be Hitler's next target, both Britain and France promised that they would take military action against Hitler if he invaded Poland. Chamberlain believed that, faced with the prospect of war against Britain and France, Hitler would stop his aggression. Chamberlain was wrong. German troops invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.
