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Hitler takes control of Czechoslovakia
On September 30th 1938, Hilter, Mussolini, Daladier and Chamberlain each signed the Munich Pact. This pact virtually handed Czechoslovakia over to Germany in the name of peace. Even though Hilter was only promised Sudentenland, it also gave him a large amount of Czechoslovakia's recourses; 66% of its coal, 70% of its iron and steel, and 70% of its electrical power. This left Czechoslovakia vulnerable to complete German domination, and after Hitler threatens a bomb raid, he gets just that. -
Germany attacks Poland ; Britain and France declare war
1.5 million German troops invade Poland along its 1750 mile border.At the same time Poland was attacked was attacked from air and sea. The point of Hilter's invasion was to provide more 'living space' for the racially superior German people. Before his attack of Poland, Hilter had taken control of Czechoslovakia and Austria, and neither had caused any large trouble with any major powers and he hoped his invasion of Poland would have the same results.Instead, Britain and France declare war on 3/9 -
Australia and New Zealand join the war
After Britain and France declared war in Germany, the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, declared there support of Britains campaign and joined the war. Not long after New Zealand followed suit. -
South Africa declares war on Germany ; United States declares neutrality
As South Africa joins the war too, America decides that they are not going to fight. On the 5th of September they declare neutrality in the European conflict. -
Poland surrenders to Hitler
The Polish army was defeated by the Germans within weeks of invasion. 2000 tanks and over 1000 planes broke through Polands's defences, heading straight for Warsaw. After heavy bombing from the new German war machines and no form of ever being able to fight back, Poland surrended to the German forces. -
Winton Churchill takes title of Prime Minister from Chamberlain
After the previous British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, resigned from office, Winston Churchill was given his place. Known for his great military leadership, Winston quickly won the support of the British people. Winston's promise to his country? To never surrender to the Germans and there allies. -
France surrenders to Germany
With Paris being invaded on the 14th of June and soon conquered, French Prime Minister Marshal Henri Petain arranged an armistice with the Nazi forces. This was not a well supported thing amongst the French especially when he was supposed to be giving hope to fight against the Germans rather than surrendering to them. Petain was executed in the 1951 for his high treason against France. -
The Battle of Britain
Starting on the 10th of July and ending on the 31st of October, the Battle of Britain was a phenomenal air battle between the warring countries of Britain and Germany. Up until that time it was the longest bombing campaign ever seen. It ended as being a significant turning point in the war, with Germany unable to gain an advantage by air over the British, despite targeting air bases, military posts and overall general civilisation. -
Bibliography
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-take-czechoslovakia ;
www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?Moduleld=10005070 ; http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland ; http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/1939-ww2-events-timeline.asp ; http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-becomes-prime-minister ; http://www.worldwar2history.info/1940.html ; http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/france-to-surrender
