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The Austrian Anschluss
It occurred on March 12, 1938. Hitler sent troops into Austria because Austria would not give Austrian Nazis important government roles. Anschluss stands for unification and Hitler wanted a unification, or coming together, of Austria and Germany. Hitler was successful and Austria was soon a part of Germany and the Germans took everything from Austria’s citizens. -
The Munich Conference
The conference was held in Munich on September 29, 1938. Representatives of Britain, France, Italy, and Germany met to decide Czechoslovakia’s fate. Britain and France agreed to stay neutral. This allowed Germany to go after Czechoslovakia. Due to the conference keeping peace and trying its best to avert war, the country was doomed to fall into the hands of Germany and it allowed Germany to add another country to itself. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
After the events of World War One, Danzig was owned by Poland. Hitler demanded that they return it back to Germany since it was 90 percent German. That would lead to Germany having easy access to parts of Prussia. Due to Hitler’s demands, Britain and France realized that war was inevitable. On March 31, 1939 Britain confirmed that if Poland were to defend Danzig, Britain and France would assist and fight against Germany. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
German officials proposed a nonaggression treaty to the Soviets, Stalin agreed. He believed the best way to protect the USSR was to turn the capitalist nations against each other. If the treaty worked, Germany would go to war against Britain and France, and the USSR would be safe. The treaty was signed on August 23, 1939. It surprised many people because this means that Communism and Nazism were working together. -
The Invasion of Poland
Poland bravely resisted Germany's onslaught, buts it's army was outdated. The Polish army rode horses and carried lances against German tanks. In addition, the Germans used a new type of warfare called "blitzkrieg." Germany would use many tanks and break through enemy positions. Then they would rain bombs and soldiers to support the tanks. The Polish army eventually fell to the Germans on took over the capital. -
The Fall of France
The British sent troops to France, and both countries remained on the defensive, waiting for the Germans to attack. After World War I, the French built a line of concrete bunkers called the Maginot Line. It separated Germany and France. France remained behind the line and this allowed Germany to attack Poland. Germany, once finished with Poland, set it's course for France and went around the Maginot Line. Germany were able to go through the Ardennes Mts. and break France's defenses. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
After forcing French and Britain forces out of France, Hitler went after Dunkirk. For some odd reason, Hitler stopped his forces and waited for 3 days which gave the British time to strengthen their forces and begin evacuation. Around 380,000 French and British troops were saved but all of the army's supplies was left at Dunkirk. -
The Battle of Britain
Due to the French surrendering to Germany, Britain was Europe's last hope before Germany took everything over and had complete control. Hitler expected Britain to negotiate peace after France gave up but instead a new leader, Winston Churchill, who gave a speech that rallied all British troops. Hitler knew he would have to get rid of the British Air Force if he wanted to lay a hand on Britain so he sent his own air force to take out the enemy's air force and began an all-out air battle.
