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The Austrian Anschluss
Hitler threatened to invade German-speaking Austria unless Austrian Nazis were given important government posts. Austrian Chancellor gave in, but tried to put matter of unification w/ Germany to a Democratic vote. Afraid of the outcome, Hitler sent troops into Austria in March and announced the Anschluss, or unification, of Austria and Germany -
The Munich Crisis
Germany sent troops into Czechoslovakia and divided the country. Slovakia became independent in name, but it was actually under German Control. The Czech lands became a German Protectorate. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
Hitler demanded that the city of Danzig be returned to German control. Although Danzig was more than 90% German, it had been part of Poland since WWI. Hitler also requested a highway and railroad across the Polish Corridor.Hitler's new demands convinced Britain and France that war was inevitable. On 3/31/1939, Britain announced that if Poland -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, in which the two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. -
The Invasion of Poland
German forces bombard Poland on land and from the air, as Adolf Hitler seeks to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. This kicked off WWII. -
The Fall of France
French had built a line of concrete bunkers and fortifications called ¨Margot Line¨ along German Border. The French preferred to wait behind this line for the Germans to approach which gave Germany the opportunity to invade Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg so they could get around the Maginot Line. British and French forces raced to Belgium which was a mistake. Germans sent main force through Ardennes Mtns. French left few troops to defend that part of the border. French and English trapped. -
The Miracle at Dunkirk
After allied forces trapped in Belgium, Germans began to drive them toward English Channel. Britain and Frances only hope was to evacuate troops by sea, but Germans had not captured Dunkirk. German forces closed in on Dunkirk but were ordered to stop by Hitler which provided a 3 day delay. which gave Britain time to begin evacuation and strengthen lines. 850 ships headed to Dunkirk from England. French Butch and Belgian ships joined. 338,000 British and French troops saved. -
The Battle of Britain
Realizing Britain would not surrender, Hitler ordered his commanders to prepare to invade. Great Britain's air force was called the Royal Air Force. Germany's air force was called the Luftwaffe. It is estimated that around 1,000 British planes were shot down during the battle, while over 1,800 German planes were destroyed.
