Hitler’s quest for an Empire

Hitler’s Impact on Germany After taking control of the government, Hitler set to work on improving the German economy: –Reduced unemployment by 2 million –Spent government money to help businesses –Rebuilt housing and roadways destroyed in the war Hitler’s popularity gave him the confidence to start building a German Empire.

Germany’s Aggression and Appeasement Appease- to give into, to pacify Hitler and Germany made a series of moves that were ignored or allowed by the other world powers. These moves eventually led to the start of World War II.

Hitler’s Agenda German Action: Hitler stopped paying back war debt to the Allied powers He also began to rebuild his military. He starts sending troops to an area near the border with France. Allied Response: Nothing. France wants to pursue aggression, but Great Britain does not.

Hitler’s Agenda German Action: March Germany forces Austria to fall under the control of Germany Allied Response: Britain sent a letter of protest to Germany, but Hitler responded that he did not need to answer to other countries.

Hitler’s Agenda German Action: Sept Hitler demands a part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland, be returned to Germany. He threatens invasion if not appeased. Allied Response: Munich Conference: France and Great Britain agree to give the Sudetenland back to Germany. Czechoslovakia is not consulted.

Hitler’s Agenda German Action: March Hitler takes over the rest of Czechoslovakia Allied Response: Britain and France start to realize that Hitler and Germany have no plan to stop. Calls for war start to become stronger.

The Last Straw German Action: Aug. 1939: Hitler demands that a part of newly-created Poland be returned to Germany. Allied Response: Britain and France agree to respond militarily if Hitler invades Poland.

The Last Straw German Action: Germany and Russia sign a secret pact to not attack each other and to divide Poland between each other. September Germany invades Poland. Allied Response: Britain and France declare war on Germany, starting World War II. "kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish descent or language... only in this way can we achieve the living space we need." ~Adolf Hitler

Italy and Japan Also Get in the Act Mussolini invades and takes over Ethiopia –The League of Nations responded with penalties but was not powerful enough to enforce them Japan invades China –League of Nations condemns the action but makes no effort to stop Japan.

Why Appeasement? Most of Europe had not yet gotten over World War I, and they wanted to remove war from Europe. Britain also believed the Versailles treaty was unjust. Many thought that the territories annexed by Hitler wanted to become part of Germany. Most British people trusted Hitler and did not realize what he was aiming to do.

Germany Doesn’t Stop at Poland In 1940, Hitler invades France, and in June, captures Paris.

Germany’s Occupations in WWII