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Period: to
Beginning of WWII
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Hitler Becomes Leader
The German President, Paul von Hindenburg, died, leaving the chancellor, Adolf Hitler, to take his role as dictator. The German army took an oath to their new commander-in-chief. He assured people that the Third Reich would last for thousands of years. -
Anschluss
It was the occupation and annexation of Austria in to Nazi Germany. Austria was annexed into the German Third Reich on March 12, 1938. -
Munich Conference
A conference held in the city of Munich when Hitler demanded part of Czechoslovakia. The leaders of France, Italy, and Great Britain attended. The conference was held to try and make Hitler drop the his stand on acquiring part of the Czechoslavakian republic. -
German Occupation of Czechoslovakia
It began with the annexation of Czechoslovakia's northern and western border regions, also known as the Sudetenland. Following the Anschluss of Austria, Czechoslovakia became Germany's next target. The incorporation of the Sudetenland into Nazi Germany left the rest of Czechoslovakia weak and became powerless to resist occupation. On March 16, Germany moved in and conquered the rest of Czechoslovakia. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union met and signed the Non-Aggression Pact, which guaranteed that they would not attack each other. The Soviet Union was awarded land. Nazi Germany broke this pact when they attacked the Soviet Union less than two years later. -
Danzig
The Free City of Danzig was created in 1920 from the Treaty of Versailles. The shelling of the Westerplatte caused Gauleiter Forster to enter the High Commissioner's residence and ordered him to leave within two hours. The Free City was the newly reformed Reichsgau of Danzig West Prussia -
Blitzkrieg
It means "lighting war". Method of warfare through a series of deep thrusts and also utilizing speed and surprise, then encircling the enemy. First used when Germany invaded Poland -
Poland, Britain, France
Germany declared war with and invaded Poland on September 1st with an uneven advantage. Germany was hoping this was just a localized conflict, but it became a global problem. France and Britain declared war with Germany on September 3rd when it became clear that negotiating a German withdrawl was hopeless. -
Fall of Poland
Germany signed a non-aggresion pact with Poland to prevent a French-Polish alliance. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The Polish army was defeated only weeks after the invasion. The Germans broke through the Polish defenses and advanded to Warsaw. After heavy attacks, Warsaw surrendered on September 27, 1939. -
Phoney War
After the blitzkrieg attack on Poland, it seems as if nothing was happening. The name 'Phoney War' summarizes what was happeneing in Western Europe - near to nothing. -
Fall of France
After 9 months of already fighting, Germany hammered France. Four days later, German forces broke through French lines. France's attempts for a counter attack failed. German forces caused them to go into a rapid retreat to avoid being cut off with their backs to the sea. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
Commonly known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, the Germans trapped the Allied forces in Belguim and drove them toward the English Channel. France and Britain's only hope was escaping by water, but the Germans had captured all but one port.Hitler suddenly told the troops to stop. -
Surrender of France
Germany invaded the Low Countries and France with a fury. The French Government continues to fight until its government disinigrates. A new government was formed, in which surrendered and asked to form an armistace. -
Battle of Britain
The German air force, Luftwaffe, began to attack British shipping in the English Channel. In mid-August, the Luftwaffe launched an all-out air battle to destroy the Royal Air force. The Germans accidentally bombed London. The attack on civilians enraged the British, who responded by bombing Berlin. Hitler's goal then was to terrorize the British people into surrendering.
