1. War Clouds Gather Objective: Explain how Germany expands its territory

2. Germany Expands 1936 – German troops move into the Rhineland – a treaty violation France and League of Nations take no action 1938 – insisted German-speaking Austria be unified with Germany

3. 1938 – Hitler invades Austria

5. Sudetenland – part of Czechoslovakia – many German speaking people; Hitler claims they are being mistreated and claimed the land for Germany Czechoslovakia ready to fight; Britain and France seek peaceful solution

6. Appeasement Appeasement – granting of concessions to a hostile power in order to keep peace. September, 1938 -Munich Agreement – European leaders tell Czechoslovakia to give up Sudetenland or fight Germany on its own. Hitler promised not to expand German territory any more

7. March, 1939 – Germany took the rest of Czechoslovakia Plans to invade Poland on the border of the Soviet Union

8. Nonaggression Pact August, 1939 – Hitler and Stalin sign the treaty Germany and Soviet Union agree not to fight each other Leaves Hitler free to attack Poland without a Soviet response

9. Summary How did the policy of appeasement work in Hitler’s favor? What argument did Hitler use to justify his invasion of Austria? Why was Germany able to invade Poland? Activity suggestions: create a political cartoon illustrating appeasement or the nonaggression pact.