Nazi flag

German Expansion

  • Hitler's Secret Meeting

    Hitler's Secret Meeting
    Hitler meets secretly with top military advisers. He explains that Austria and Czechoslovakia need to part of the Third Reich.
  • Germany Seeks Austria

    Germany Seeks Austria
    German forces move into Austria to create a "union". No fighting takes place. Anschluss is the German word for "connection". German propaganda makes it seem as if the joining of Austria and Germany is beneficial.
  • Munich Agreement

    Munich Agreement
    The document is signed by French premier Edward Daladier and British prime minister Neville Chamberlain. The agreement turns Sudetenland over to Germany peacefully. Hitler explains that this would be his "last territorial demand". Winston Churchill said that the agreement was appeasement.
  • Invasion of Czechoslovakia

    Invasion of Czechoslovakia
    The remaining part of Czechoslovakia is invaded and taken by German forces.
  • The Non-Aggresion Pact

    The Non-Aggresion Pact
    The pact is signed by Stalin and Hitler. The document explains that Germany and Russia wouldn't attack each other.
  • Invasion of Poland

    Invasion of Poland
    The German Air Force flies over Poland bombing military bases, airfields, railroads, and cities. German tanks sweep the ground destroying everything in their path. The battle tactic of "blitzkrieg" was used by the Germans. This is when an overwhelming military force strikes all at once.
  • War is Declared

    War is Declared
    Poland, Britain, and France declare war on Germany.
  • Invasion of Denmark and Norway

    Invasion of Denmark and Norway
    Hitler launches a surprise attack of Denmark and Norway. Hitler plans to build bases along the coasts to strike Great Britain.
  • France Falls

    France Falls
    Hitler hands French officers his terms of surrender. It explains that Germany has control of the northern part of France while the southern region is being controlled by a Nazi government.
  • RAF Fights Back

    RAF Fights Back
    The Royal Air Force shoots down over 185 German planes. Six weeks after this, Hitler calls off the invasion of Britain.