-
The Austrian Anschluss
In late 1937, Hitler called for the unification of all German speaking people. In 1938, Hitler threatened to invade German speaking Austria unless Austrian Nazis were given important government posts. Austria's chancellor gave in to Hitler, however he did try and put the unification with Germany to a democratic vote. Unsure of the possible outcome, Hitler sent troops into Austria and announced the unification of Austria and Germany. -
The Munich Conference
Hitler announced German claims to the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia. Representatives of Britain, France, Italy and Germany agreed to meet in Munich to decide the fate of Czechoslovakia. Britain and France agreed to appeasement, making concessions in exchange for peace. They felt if they gave Hitler what they wanted they could avoid war. Appeasement was unsuccessful. Czechoslovakia was told to give up Sudetenland or fight the Germans on their own. The Czech lands become a German protectorate. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
After the Munich Conference, Hitler demanded Danzig returns to German control. He also requested a highway and railroad across the Polish Corridor. These demands convinced Britain and France that war was inevitable. Britain and France agreed that if Poland went to war to defend its territory that they would come to aid. In May, Hitler ordered the German army to prepare to invade Poland, as well as for his foreign minister to negotiate with USSR. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
When German officials proposed a nonaggression treaty to the Soviets, Stalin agreed thinking it would be the best way to protect the USSR. The signing of the pact shocked the world since Communism and Nazism were supposed to be opposed to each other. The leaders knew Hitler made the deal to avoid war against other countries and Poland. They didn't know the treaty contained a secret deal to divide Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union. -
The Invasion of Poland
On this date, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. WWII began. Poland tried to fight off the German army, but their army was outdated and less advanced. Germans used blitzkrieg warfare which relied on the use of tanks and bombs. The Germans gained control of the Warsaw, the capital of Poland on September 27. By October 5, 1939, the Germans defeated the Polish army. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
After the Allied forces were trapped in Belgium, the only hope for Britain and France was the port at Dunkirk. As German forces closed in on Dunkirk, Hitler ordered them to stop causing a three-day delay. This was the perfect opportunity for 338,000 troops to be evacuated. The British army left behind a lot of equipment. Germany accepted the French surrender and occupies much of northern France and its Atlantic coastline. They also put in a puppet government to run the rest of France. -
The Battle of Britain
Hitler ordered his commanders to prepare to invade Britain, however he knew he needed to defeat the British Royal Air Force since Germany had few transport ships that the British could easily sink. The German Air Force, Luftwaffe, attacked British shipping in the English channel. In August Hitler launched an air attack on the British. Hitler wanted to get Britain to surrender. On October 12, 1940, Hitler cancelled the invasion on Britain because of the loss of battles and aircrafts. -
The Fall of France
The British sent troops to France, and both countries waited for the Germans to attack. France waited behind the Maginot Line, which allowed Germany to focus on Poland before facing the British and France. Hitler also went around the Maginot Line. On May 10, Hitler launched blitzkrieg in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Germany taking a different path made it easy for them to smash through French lines. British and French troops were trapped in Belgium.
