Section 2 What were Hitler’s early moves in Europe that led to the breakout of WWII? Hitler’s Early Gambles and Decisions

Step One: Negotiations Axis Powers: Alliance between Germany and Italy (October 1936) Anti-Comintern Pact: Alliance between Germany and JAPAN-WANTED TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM!!!!! These three nations referred to themselves as the Axis Powers. They kept their ANTI communist agenda HIDDEN

Step 2: The Rhineland Hitler marched his army into the Rhineland (March 7, 1936) Major violation of the Treaty of Versailles Major gamble for Hitler England and France did NOT resist The Allies lost an important opportunity to stop Hitler, whose tiny German force would have easily been overwhelmed by the French Army This failure would have led to Hitler being overthrown and eliminated as a threat The success of this gamble builds German confidence

Step 3 Annexing Austria A Nazi Party had been formed during the 1920’s By 1930’s, the Nazi Party had grown significantly and had representation in Austria’s cabinet Hitler and the Austrian chancellor had major disagreements on the union of Germany and Austria Hitler decided to march into Austria with a show of force! Chancellor of Austria resigned Austria increased the size of Germany’s population, territory, and resources. Germany now controlled the heart of central Europe

Step 3 continued Crisis in the Sudetenland More than 3 million Germans lived in this region Included a chain of mountains around the western rim of Czechoslovakia- heavily fortified, great natural defense Many Germans in this region wanted to unionize with Germany Czechoslovakia refused, protest broke out, and the area was placed under martial law Hitler then announced he would invade and take over the Sudetenland to protect his fellow Germans

Primary Source activity Step one: Read your source Step two: Summarize in your own words the top 5 points made in the reading (20 points) Step three: Meet with your group and create a political cartoon to illustrate one or more of the points you have summarized (20 point contest)

Primary Source “The Misery of the Sudeten Germans is Indescribable”- Hitler (Sept 12, 1938)

Step 4 Reaction of the Allies- Great Britain and France Munich Conference: Mussolini (Italy), Neville Chamberlain (Britain), Hitler (Germany), Edouard Daladier (France) Chamberlain and Daladier accepted the German demands of the Sudetenland joining with Germany Process became known as Appeasement- accepting some of the demands of the aggressor in order to maintain peace

Primary Source “Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist” (March 15, 1939)-Hitler “I bitterly regret what has now occurred” Chamberlain

Step 5: Hitler invades Czechoslovakia. Within 6 months, this independent nation was erased from Europe Great Britain and France prepare for war. Issue a draft Create a rearmament program Great Britain and France promised to protect Poland if Germany attacked

Step 6: Negotiations with Stalin Great Britain and France tried to negotiate a treaty with Stalin- dragged on and was NEVER accomplished Behind the allies’ back, Stalin and Hitler negotiated a treaty In August 1939, Hitler proudly announced a German- Soviet nonaggression Pact Divide up Poland Soviets would take control of the Baltic Peninsula

Primary Source “Our enemies are little Worms” (August 22, 1939) Hitler

Step 7 On September 1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland WWII officially began Two days later, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany “Everything I have hoped for has crashed into Ruins” (September 3, 1939) Chamberlain