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The Austrian Anschluss
The Austrian Anschluss was when Hitler called for the unification of all German speaking people. In February 1938 Hitler sent out a threat that he would invade Austria if Austrian Nazis were not given government posts. The chancellor of Austria gave into Hitlers demands, but then decided to let a democratic vote decide on the unification with Germany. Hitler feared the outcome would not be in his favor, so in March he sent troops into Austria. There they announced the two countries unified. -
The Munich Conference
Hitler was now after the Sudetenland because of their large German-speaking population. The Czechs resisted Hitler and would fight to keep their land if needed with the aid of France and the Soviet Union. Britain's Prime Minister Chamberlain also gave support. To avoid fighting, representatives of Britain, Italy, France, and Germany held the Munich Conference in Munich on Sept. 29, 1938. Britain and France agreed to appeasement, which led to Czechoslovakia being told to give up the Sudetenland. -
Hitler Demands Danzig
Hitler demanded the city of Danzig to be back under German control. He also wanted a highway/railroad built across the Polish Corridor. These demands made Britain and France think war was inescapable. So, on March 31, 1939 Britain said they would defend Poland along with the support of France. Because of this Poland now felt free to refuse Hitler's demands. Angry, Hitler had the German army prepare to invade Poland. He also began negotiations with the USSR to avoid having to fight them too. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
In order for Stalin to keep the USSR safe he signed a treaty with Hitler that would put the captitalist nations against eachother. Hitler made this deal for protection against Britain, France, and Poland and to divide Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union. The nonaggression pact was signed by Germany and the USSR on August 23, 1939. -
The Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland on 9/1/1939 and two days later Britain and France announced war on Germany. This was the start of WWII. Poland's army used horses and lances while Germany used tanks and a new style of fighting called blitzkreig. Blitzkreig, or lightning war, was the use of many tanks to encircle the enemy. In addition, the Germans had aircrafts sending bombs and paratroopers for extra help. The Polish capital Warsaw fell on 9/27 and the German army won the battle on October 5, 1939. -
The Fall of France
To try and protect themselves from the Germans the French built a line of bunkers called a maginot line. The French made a decision to wait behind the line instead of go and attack the Germans. This proved to be a bad idea becuase it gave Germany time to invade Poland and Germany just went around the line. On May 10 Hitler had troops parachute into the Netherlands and an army of tanks in Belgium and Lexemburg. The French tried to out do the Germans, but only wound up getting trapped in Belgium. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
The miracle at Dunkirk was the evacuation of 338,000 British and French soldiers who were trapped in Belgium due to the German forces heavy attack. Germany controlled all ports except for Dunkirk, a small port in France near the Belgian border. Hitler ordered a halt on the seizing of Dunkirk, It is believed he did this because he believed that England would be more willing to make peace if they were shown mercy, but this allowed allied forces to escape and save many lives. -
The Battle of Britain
Winston Churchill became the new Prime Minister of Britain and announced that they would never surrender. Hitler then had his commanders prepare an invasion. This invasion would not be an easy one for Hitler because of the English Channel. Germany did not have many transport ships and if they tried crossing British air force would sink them. So, Germany first had to defeat the British air force. In August of 1940 Luftwaffe started an air battle against the Royakl Air Force.
