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Treaty of Versailles
World War I ends by the signing of this treaty. The Treaty of Versailles allowed the victors (Allied Powers) to punish the Central Powers, specifically Germany, by forcing them to pay the reparations of the war, demilitarizing their army and forbidding them from building a new one, and breaking up German territory. -
Hitler Takes Control of Germany
The Germans had suffered severe poverty because of the terrible economy. The Nazi Party gains popularity within the people because of promises to make Germany a strong country again, and eventually Adolf Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany. He begins to militarize Germany, despite the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Invasion of the Rhineland
Hitler moves in Nazi troops to the Rhineland, a territory controlled by France at the time. France feels threatened by the close proximity of the Nazi army to their borders and asks for British aid, but Britain decides to adopt a policy of appeasement to deal with the issue and avoid any conflict. -
Anschluss - Invasion of Austria
Austria is annexed by Hitler. His troops invade and overthrow the Austrian government, and eventually join Austria and Germany together. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Hitler and his troops invade Czechoslovakia and demand the Czech government to surrender their power. Britain and France, once again, choose to appease Hitler to maintain peace. -
Munich Pact
France and Britain granted Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia, as long as Hitler promises to not invade other nations in Europe. Neville Chamberlain, the leader of Britain at the time, said that this pact allowed "peace for our time." -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Hitler feared the large, strong army of Stalin in Russia, so a military alliance is signed in which the USSR and Germany agree not to invade or attack each other's nations. They also agree to divide parts of Poland, a nation that sat right in between the two countries. -
Invasion of Poland
Hitler broke his promises once more. Undeterred by the guidelines of the Munich Pact, in which he was not allowed to take over any other European nations in exchange for Czechoslovakia, he marched troops into Poland. A few days after this invasion, Britain and France declared war on Germany, signifying the beginning of the second World War.
