-
Hitler 1935
Hitler began to defy the Versailles Treaty, announcing that Germany would build a new force and begin a military draft to expand it's army. European leaders tried to negotiate with Germany instead of declaring war. -
Anschluss
Hitler threatened to invade Austria unless Austrian Nazis were given important government positions. Austrian Chancellor gave in to this demand, but put the matter of German unification up to democratic vote. Fearing the outcome, Hitler sent troops to Austria in March and announced Anschluss, or unification, of Austria and Germany. -
Danzig
Hitler demands that the Polish city of Danzig be returned to German control.Hitler also requested a highway and railroadacross the Polish Corridor, an area that seperated western Germany from the German state of East Prussia. Hitler's new demands convinced Britain and France that war was inevitable. When Britain and France declared that they would help Poland defend it's territory Hitler's demands were refused. Germany ordered preparation of army for Polish invasion and negotiations with USSR. -
Munich Conference
Hitler announced claims upon Sudetenland, an area of Czechoslovakia. Czechs refused, France threatened to fight Germany if Czechoslovakia was attacked. Soviet Union also promised aid. Britain pledged support to France. Representitaves of Britain, France, Italy and Germany agreed to meet in Munich to decide Czechoslovakia's fate. At the conference Britain and France agreed to Hitler's demands. Czechoslovakia was told to give up Sudetenland or fight on it's own. -
Period: to
Phony/Bore War and Invasion Of France
For a while there was what was called a Bore/Phony war. Britain and France ramped up their defenses awaiting German attack but it didn't come, both sides were at a standstill waiting for the other side to attack. On May 10, 1940 the Germans began their invasion, skirting the Maginot line which was on the French/German border consisting of French fortifications and bunkers. Germany invaded France from Belgium, immediately Britain and France responded and wound up trapped in Belgium. -
Czechoslovakia
Germany sent troops into Czechoslovakia and divided the country. Czech became a German protectorate, Slovakia was under German control but became independent in name. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Nonagression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union is signed. There was a secret deal to divide Poland between the Soviet Union and Germany within the pact. British and French leaders understood that Hitler signed the pact to free himself for war against their countries and Poland. Stalin agreed because he saw it as the best way to keep USSR safe if the treaty worked, turning capitalist nations against each other. -
Period: to
Poland, Britain, France vs. Germany. (Fall of Poland)
Germany invades Poland, two days later both Britain and France declare war on Germany. WWII had begun. Poland bravely resisted onslought, Germany used a new type of warfare called blitzkrieg (lightning war). Blitzkrieg used large numbers of massed tanks to break through and circle enemy positions, waves of aircrafts bombed enemy positions and dropped paratroopers to cut their supply lines. The Polish army could not repel the attack and soon fell to German control. -
Period: to
Battle Of Britain
Germany realized Britain wouldn't surrender, so they launched an attack. Getting across the English Channel would be suicide, the Royal Air Force would shoot down any German ships so an air attack was launched against Britain to destroy the Royal Air Force. On August 23rd German bombers accidently bombed London, the British captial which resulted in the bombing of Berlin the following night. Britain had an advantage, radar (new) showed incoming German aircrafts. Hitler cancelled the invasion. -
Dunkirk Evacuation.
Only port open in France, the rest had been destroyed by the Germans. Hitler called off attack on Dunkirk, the reason is rather unknown though many theories are held. Whatever the reason, it allowed a three-day delay in which Britain could evacuate. Numerous trips were made to and from Dunkirk to Britain to evacuate as many troops as possible, this ended quickly. Though many were saved, all of the troop's equipment was left behind. This left Britain vulnerable to German attack. -
France Surrenders
Hitler accepted the French surrender in the same railway car in which the Germans had surrendered in at the end of WWI. Germany now occupied much of northern France and its Atlantic coastline. To govern the rest of France, Germany installed a puppet government at the town of Vichy.
