Section 2Section 2I.I. The German Path to WarThe German Path to WarA.A. Adolf Hitler believed that Adolf Hitler believed that

Germany could build a great Germany could build a great civilization.civilization.

He needed more land for the He needed more land for the German people.German people.

Hitler wanted land to the east Hitler wanted land to the east in Soviet Union.in Soviet Union.

Visual SourceHitler’s Aggressions

The title is: "80 million Germans live on 580,000 square kilometers."

The point is that Germany is overcrowded, and needs more territory.

B.B. In March 1935, Hitler created a In March 1935, Hitler created a new new air force and began a air force and began a military draft.military draft.

These actions were indirect These actions were indirect disagreement with the terms of disagreement with the terms of

the the Treaty of Versailles.Treaty of Versailles.

France, Great Britain, and Italy France, Great Britain, and Italy condemned Hitlercondemned Hitler’’s moves.s moves.

C.C. In March 1936, Hitler sent In March 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland.troops into the Rhineland.

German German

soldiers soldiers

were not were not

suppose suppose

to be in this to be in this

area, but area, but

Great Britain Great Britain

did nothing.did nothing.

D.D. In 1936, Adolf Hitler (Germany) In 1936, Adolf Hitler (Germany) and and Benito Mussolini (Italy) Benito Mussolini (Italy) became became allies forming the allies forming the Rome-Berlin Axis.Rome-Berlin Axis.

Germany also signed theGermany also signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Anti-Comintern Pact with

Japan forming an Japan forming an alliance alliance against against communism.communism.

Hitler’s Aggressions

Rome-Berlin Axis 1936Axis Powers

Anti-Comintern Pactpledged to stop the spread of communism

E.E. In 1938, Hitler had gotten In 1938, Hitler had gotten Austria to Austria to come under German come under German rule by forcerule by force (meaning (meaning annexed.)annexed.)

The Treaty of Versailles had The Treaty of Versailles had forbidden forbidden

any union any union

between between

Germany Germany

and Austria.and Austria.

Hitler’s Aggressions

Reichstag Ovation 1938

Addition of Austriaincreased Germany’spopulation, territory,

and resources.

Germany nowcontrolled the heart

of Europe!

F.F. In 1938, Hitler demanded the In 1938, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland in northwestern Sudetenland in northwestern Czechoslovakia be given to Czechoslovakia be given to

Germany.Germany.

At the Munich conference, At the Munich conference, Britain and France gave in to Britain and France gave in to

HitlerHitler’’s s demands and allowed demands and allowed Germany to Germany to take the take the Sudetenland.Sudetenland.

Hitler’s Aggressions

Why was Hitler so eagerWhy was Hitler so eagerto take Czechoslovakia?to take Czechoslovakia?

Czechoslovakia was an industrial power – It was the Military

Weapons Capital of Europe!The Czechs had major raw mineral

deposits.Location, location, location!

Hitler’s AggressionsMunich Munich

ConferenceConference29 Sept 193829 Sept 1938Hitler invited GB & FranceHitler invited GB & Franceto discuss the to discuss the SudetenlandSudetenlandsituation.situation.

appeasement

NevilleChamberlain

,Prime

Ministerof GreatBritain

Appeasement was based Appeasement was based on the belief that if on the belief that if European countries European countries satisfied reasonable satisfied reasonable demands of dissatisfied demands of dissatisfied states, the dissatisfied states, the dissatisfied states would be content states would be content and peace would be and peace would be preserved. preserved.

G.G. At the Munich conference, At the Munich conference, Hitler promised that he Hitler promised that he

would would not make any other not make any other demands.demands.

But, by March 1939 Hitler had But, by March 1939 Hitler had conquered the remaining conquered the remaining

portion of portion of Czechoslovakia.Czechoslovakia.

Hitler then demanded Poland.Hitler then demanded Poland.

Hitler’s Aggressions

Preparing for WARPreparing for WAR•Britain & France could no longer ignore Britain & France could no longer ignore Hitler Hitler •Britain begins to rearm and pushes Britain begins to rearm and pushes through conscriptionthrough conscription•GB joins France in a promise to protect GB joins France in a promise to protect Poland if Germany attacksPoland if Germany attacks•Asked USSR to join them but talks Asked USSR to join them but talks dragged with no agreementdragged with no agreement

J.J. France and Great Britain began to France and Great Britain began to react.react.

Great Britain said it would Great Britain said it would protect Poland if Hitler invaded.protect Poland if Hitler invaded.

France and Britain began talks with France and Britain began talks with Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator.Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator.

They needed help from the Soviet They needed help from the Soviet Union to Union to contain Germany.contain Germany.

K.K. Hitler was afraid of an Hitler was afraid of an alliance between the West alliance between the West and and the Soviet Union.the Soviet Union.

In August 1939, Germany and In August 1939, Germany and Soviet Union signed the Soviet Union signed the Nonaggression Pact Nonaggression Pact promising not to attack each promising not to attack each

other.other.

Hitler offered Stalin eastern Hitler offered Stalin eastern Poland and the Baltic States Poland and the Baltic States in return for signing the pact.in return for signing the pact.

Political Cartoon

Hitler’s Aggressions

L.L. On September 1, 1939, On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland Germany invaded Poland without fear of an attack by without fear of an attack by the Soviet Union.the Soviet Union.

September 3, 1939, Great September 3, 1939, Great Britain and France declared Britain and France declared war on Germany.war on Germany.