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Hitler wanted to expand Germany's land, and he couldn't do this on his own. Talking it over with his militant advisors, this was the first day he made it known his plan, invading Austria and Czechoslovakia as a start. Thus the idea of Anschluss was created, or "Germany" being joined with Austria into one Third Reich, and eventual absorption of Czechoslovakia too.
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After Hitler had taken over Austria, he wished to be in control of part of Czechoslovakia. Specifically, parts on the western border where there was a predominately German population. This would be much more difficult to take with force, due to mountains between Germany and Czechoslovakia, but Hitler amassed forces on the border in preparation anyways.
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Hitler said that the Sudetenland would be his last request\ and much of Europe believed him. So, Édouard Daladier and Neville Chamberlain decided to let him have Czech territory, without any fighting or resistance. They fell into appeasement where they gave up their morals to agree to someone's demands. Winston Churchill as not a fan at all, saying, “Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonor. They chose dishonor. They will have war.” Unfortunately, Hitler had not intent to stop.
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After Hitler's invasion of Poland, French and British troops sat on France's border, awaiting Germany's invasion into France, that didn't seem to come As soldiers sat along the Maginot Line, no fighting broke out. This was called sitzkrieg, or phony war, because no fighting actually occurred, German forces and Allied forces just sat there waiting for the other to make a first move that didn't seem to come.
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Completely ignoring the Munich Agreement, Hitler decided he wanted all of Czechoslovakia. So, less than half a year after singing the Munich Agreement, Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, securing it for the Third Reich easily, but Hitler was still not done.
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Hitler used new techniques in WWII. He made use of new technological advancements right from the beginning of the war. Implementing Blitzkrieg, which means "lighting war," Hitler attacked fast and thoroughly, often brining an excessive amount of force, in order to ensure a quick victory. He often led with his Luftwaffe, or the German Air Force, who played a crucial role in the war with their bombing runs.
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Hitler wanted more land, even after the Munich Agreement, so his next target was Poland. However, Russia was on the other side, and a war with Russia and likely the rest of Europe, if he took more land beyond the Munich agreement, would not end well for Germany. However, he ended up singing a pact with Russia, that they would never attack each other, and a secret deal that they would split Poland between the two of them if it was conquered. This gave Germany essentially the "go-ahead" to invade.
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Given the supposed peace with Russia, Germany invaded Poland. With no fear of Russia on the other side, the Germans swept though quickly and thoroughly, and they were able to conqueror the majority of Poland in 3 weeks.
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Still not satisfied with the land Germany had then captured, Hitler launched a surprise attack on his Western front, taking over Denmark and Norway. He suggested that this was only done in Denmark and Norway's best interests, but that is nowhere near the truth. In reality, Hitler needed somewhere to stage troops and equipment, to prepare for an attack on Great Britain. Still, using Blitzkrieg, Hitler did not encounter much resistance.
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Germany, avoiding the heavily fortified Maginot Line, just decided to go through Belgium to get to France and Great Britain. In their process, they trapped 400,000 British and French soldiers on the beaches on Dunkirk, with no way out and no supplies. The Battle turned into a rescue effort for the British and French, as any available boats ferried across the Channel to pick up the troops and bring them to safety.
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With the help of Italy attacking from the South, Germany was able to attack France and march towards Paris from the North. Soon after getting though Paris, Germany descended on Compiègne. There, Germany gave France the opportunity to surrender. They took up the opportunity, allowing Germany to fully occupy from the North, and a Nazi government to exist in the South.
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Germany and Britain fought for Britain through the end of the summer in 1940. Germany, being landlocked initially, did not have the naval might to compete with France, so they turned to their Luftwaffe to bomb Britain day in and day out. This all culminated on September 15, when the RAF, Britain's Air Force, using newly developed radar, struck back, destroying 186 German planes to their own 26. Under two months later, Hitler gave up on Britain, and called off his attacks there.
