THE RISE OF HITLER AND BEGINNINGS OF WAR SWBAT: EXPLAIN HOW HITLER WAS ABLE TO CONQUER EUROPE AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS QUEST FOR GLOBAL DOMINATION. HOMEWORK: NONE DO NOW: GRAB A BOOK, OPEN TO PAGE 786 AND BEGIN WORKING ON THE TIMELINE.

HOMEWORK REVIEW

THE BEGINNING OF ALLIANCES  In October, 1936 Hitler and Mussolini meet and create the Rome-Berlin Axis and begin calling themselves the Axis Powers.  Shortly after, Japan and Germany sign the Anti- Comintern Pact pledging to stop the spread of communism.  Italy would join shortly after.  By the end of 1936, the Axis Powers were united and hid their aggression under the pretense of fighting communism.

AUSTRIA FALLS  November, 1937 Hitler met with his top military advisors and declared that he planned to absorb Austria into the Third Reich.  Why Austria?  A majority of Austria’s 6 million people identified themselves as German.  Hitler used this as an excuse for annexation.  This was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles which forbid the union of Germany and Austria.  In March, 1938, German troops marched into Austria unopposed.  The League of Nations, the U.S. and the rest of the world did nothing.

EFFECT OF ANNEXATION  In addition to adding size to Germany, it also absorbed Austria’s resources.  Strategically, Hitler controlled central Europe and now shared a border with its ally, Italy.  And now Germany almost encircled Czechoslovakia.  Hitler identified this area as his next target.

HITLER TURNS TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA  Like Austria, there were many people living on the German/Czech border who identified themselves as German and many wanted a union with Germany.  This area was called Sudetenland.  Additionally mountains there provided a natural defense that could be heavily fortified. Germany Sudetenland

MUNICH CONFERENCE  As tensions grew, Hitler held a meeting inviting the French premier Edouard Daladier and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to Munich.  Hitler told them this would be his last demand.  Eagar to avoid war, they both chose to believe him and signed the Munch Agreement which turned the Sudetenland over to Germany with no shots being fired.  Why?  Both feared Germany’s military strength.  Neither was prepared for war… yet.  This began the policy of appeasement: giving up principles to pacify an aggressor.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA FALLS  At dawn on March 15, 1939, German troops poured into what remained of Czechoslovakia.  By nightfall, Czechoslovakia ceased to exist.

STALIN SURPRISES THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES  Both Great Britain and Germany began negotiating with Stalin to join their side.  Stalin decided that it would be most beneficial to join Hitler and signs the German-Soviet nonaggression pact stating that neither country would attack the other.  Why?  Everyone seems to want to buy time.  The agreement:  Divide up eastern Europe into spheres of influence.  Germany would take western Poland, Russia would take eastern Poland.  Having an ally to the east gave Hitler a huge advantage.

INVASION OF POLAND  Using blitzkrieg (lightning war) tactics, Poland quickly fell.  Utilized advances in military technology, such as fast tanks and powerful aircraft, to surprise and overwhelm the enemy.  France and Great Britain declare war on Germany.  Poland is divided in 2 with Germany receiving the western half and the Soviet Union receiving the eastern half.  World War II had officially begun.

ACTIVITY- A LETTER TO ROOSEVELT  One country we have not discussed yet is the U.S., who at this point is staying out of the war in Europe.  Imagine you are Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of England as of 1940).  Write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt explaining the events that are happening in Europe up to 1940 and finish by asking for his assistance in fighting Hitler.  The letter should be a paragraph in length (6-8 sentences).  Title the document “Letter to Roosevelt” and put it in your US I folder in your drive.  If this is not finished in class, it is for homework.