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The Austrian Anschluss
In 1938, Hitler called for unification of all German speaking people. Hitler believed Germany could expand it's territory only by using force. Hitler made a threat to Germans stating that he will invade their country unless, Austria Nazi's were given important government posts. They gave in to his command, and made a democratic vote with Germany. Hitler feared the outcome, sent troops to Austria and announce the Anschluss. -
The Munich Crisis
Hitler announces that Germany claimed Sudetenland. France threatened to fight if Germany attache Czechoslovakia. Representatives of Britain, France, Italy and Germany met up in Munich to decide Czech's fate. Britain and France agreed to make peace with Hitler. Supporters of Hitler felt that if they gave him what he wanted, that's how they would avoid war. Chamberlain returned home and promise a peace with honor. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
Hitler demanded the city of Danzig would return to German control. Hitler requested that a highway and railroad is placed across the Polish Corridor that separated Western Germany from the German State. France and Britain stated that they would both help Poland if they went to war. In May, Hitler ordered the German Army to prepare to invade Poland. On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland and two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Germans proposed a nonaggression treaty to the Soviets and Stalin agreed. Stalin felt the best way to protect the USSR was to turn everyone against each other. If everything went well, Germany would go to war with France and Britain and the USSR would be safe. When Communists and Nazi's started getting along, Hitler decided to free himself for war against their countries. -
The Invasion of Poland
When Germany invaded Poland, two days later Britain and France declared war on Germany. That is when World War II had begun. Germans used a new type of warfare called blitzkrieg to break through encircle enemy positions.Waves of aircraft bombed enemy positions and dropped troopers to cut their supply lines. On October 5, 1939 the Germans had defeated the Polish army. -
The Fall of France
British sent troops to France while both countries remained defensive waiting for Germans to attack. French built a line of concrete bunkers and fortifications along the German border. French decided to wait behind the line while German started to approach them. For Germans to get around the line they had to invade the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. British and French armies were still in Belgium and they are now stuck in Belgium. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
After the Allied forces were trapped in Beglium the Germans began to drive them toward the English Channel. The only way they could get out was to evacuate them by sea but, Germans had captured all but one port. The head of German air force assured Hitler that aircraft could destroy trapped soldiers. Hitler provided a three-day delay which gave British time to strengthen their lines and begin the evacuation. -
The Battle of Britain
Germany had to defeat the British Royal Air Force. June 1940 the German air force called the Luftwaffe, began to attack British shipping in the English channel. Launched an all out air battle to destroy the Royal Air Force, lasted into the fall of 1940.
