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The Austrian Anschluss
This was the forced unification of Austria and Germany by Hitler. By threatening to invade German-speaking Austria, if they did not give Austrian-Nazis important government posts, he got the Austrian Chancellor to agree to the unification. The Chancellor then tried to put the unification agreement in question to a democratic vote. Hitler feared the vote would not go in his favor and decided in order to expand Germany's territory is by "resorting to force with its attendant risks." -
The Munich Conference
A large German-Speaking population, Sudetenland, which was in Czechoslovakia (CS) was being claimed by Hitler. Other world leaders threatened Germany and warned them not to try to annex it. Representatives from Britain, France,Italy and Germany agreed to meet in Munich to decide the cities fate. In the end, Britain and France agreed to Hitler's demands in a policy called appeasement. CS gave up the city. All representatives agreed to keep the peace, however kept their armies ready. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
With more than 90% German population, Hitler demanded the city of Danzig, which was under Poland's jurisdiction since WWI, be returned to Germany. He also wanted a highway/railroad be built across the Polish Corridor. These new demands showed other world leaders that war was definite. Britain and France declared they would help Poland defend it's territory. Hitler responded by preparing his army to invade and ordered his foreign ministers to begin negotiations with USSR. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
This was a nonaggression treaty from Germany to the Soviets. Communist leader, Joseph Stalin believed that turning capitalist nations against each other would ensure the safety of the USSR. Stalin agreed, and if the treaty was successful, Germany would go to war with Britain and France. The treaty also had a secret deal that divided Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union. -
The Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland and two days later, France and Britain declared war against Germany. This was the official start of WWII. Although Poland fought whole-heartedly, their military was too outdated. They still used horses and lances while Germany used tanks and machine guns. However, Germany brought a new form of warfare called blitzkrieg, aka "lightning war." The use of aircrafts aided Germany as well. Poland's capital, Warsaw, fell on Sept. 27. On October 5, Germany defeated Poland. -
The Fall of France
While France and Britain remained alert and waited for Germany's attack. The French's concrete bunkers, Maginot Line, was along the German border. France planned to wait but cleverly Hitler planned to go around the line through Belgium and the Netherlands. Britain and France were fighting in Belgium, Germany moved through the mountains and attacked the French lines with their main force, and easily took over. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
Britain and France were trapped in Belgium and the only way out was by boat. Unfortunately, the German's had captured all the ports except Dunkirk. The central powers closed in on the Allies but were ordered to stop by Hitler for somewhat unclear reasons. Some say he wanted to wait for reinforcements or because he didn't want to humiliate the British. Because of that, the Allies had a 3-day delay and were able to save 338,000 troops combined. This day is also known as "The Miracle of Dunkirk." -
The Battle of Britain
Britain remained strong willed against the Nazis. After Hitler realized Britain will not surrender like France, he prepared to invade. He concluded that getting through the English channel would be hard because of British fighter pilots. Germany had to bring down the air force first. While doing this, Nazis accidently bombed London, and Britain bombed Berlin the next night. Hitler wanted to scare Britain into surrendering. With no success, he canceled the invasion of Britain.
