In the 1930’s, both Germany and Japan invaded neighboring countries in an attempt to gain resources and land for their empires. Hitler allied with Italy, annexed Austria, and invaded Czechoslovakia. Japan made a quick conquest of Manchuria. At first, other world powers tried to ignore these acts of aggression. They wanted to avoid war, yet the path to war was already paved.

The German Path to War Main Idea: Adolph Hitler’s theory of radical domination laid the foundation for aggressive expansion outside of Germany. WWII in Europe had its beginnings in the ideas of Hitler. – He believed that Germans belonged to a so-called Aryan race that was superior to all other races and nationalities. Therefore, he believed that Germany was capable of building a great civilization. In order to be a world power, Germany needed more land to support a larger population. – Hitler and the Nazi’s had their eye on land to the east-Soviet Union. – Germany was going to prepare for war with the Soviet Union. – Once the land had been conquered, then Germans could settle there. – The people that were living there already would be used for slave labor.

Hitler Violates Treaty The Treaty of Versailles (Ended WWI) limited Germany’s military power. – Hitler stressed that Germany wished to revise the unfair provisions of the treaty. – Hitler announced the creation of a new air force. – 1 week later, he began a military draft that would expand Germany’s army from 100,000 to 550,000 troops. France, Great Britain, and Italy condemned Germany’s actions and warned against future aggressive steps. – These nations were distracted while they were in the middle of Great Depressions.

Hitler was convinced that the Western nations would not use force to keep him from breaking the treaty. – March 7, 1936, he sent German troops into the Rhineland-an area that was technically a part of Germany, but considered a demilitarized zone. – Germany was not permitted to have weapons or fortifications in this area. – France had the right to use force against these violations. – Great Britain did not support France’s force against Germany because they viewed the occupation of German territory by Germany troops as a reasonable action. – Appeasement= a policy based on the belief that if European states satisfied the reasonable demands of dissatisfied power, then those powers would be content, and stability and peace could be achieved in Europe.

New Allies Hitler gained new allies. – Benito Mussolini of Italy dreamed of creating a new Roman Empire. – In October, 1935, he sent forces into Ethiopia. – The French and British were outraged but Hitler was supportive. Together, Italy and Germany sent troops into Spain to help General Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War and to gain power. The new Italian-German alliance was known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. Germany and Japan signed the Anti- Comintern Pact, which promised a common front against communism.

Union with Austria In 1938, Hitler decided to pursue one of his goals: union with Austria, his homeland. – By threatening Austria with invasion, Hitler forced the Austrian chancellor to put Austrian Nazis in charge of the government. – This new gov’t. promptly invited German troops to enter Austria and “help” in maintaining law and order. – 1 day later, Hitler annexed Austria to Germany.

Demands and Appeasement Hitler’s new objective was the destruction of Czechoslovakia. – Sept. 15, 1938, he demanded that Germany be given the Sudetenland, an area in NW Czechoslovakia that was mostly inhabited by Germans. – German troops were allowed to occupy the Sudetenland. – Munich, Germany-French, British, German, Italian reps met and did not object. – The Czechs, abandoned by the Western allies, stood by helplessly.

Great Britain and France March, 1939, Hitler invaded and took control of Bohemia and Moravia in western Czechoslovakia. The areas were controlled by the Nazis. Hitler began making demands of Poland and Great Britain finally saw the potential danger. – Great Britain offered to protect Poland in the event of war. – At the same time, both France and Britain realized that only the Soviet Union was powerful enough to help contain Nazi aggression. – The two countries began political and military negotiations with Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator. Hitler began to fear that the West and the Soviet Union might make and alliance. – Such an alliance meant a two-front war for Germany again. – To avoid this, Hitler made his own agreement with Stalin.

Hitler crossing over into Czechoslovakia

August 23, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact. – The two nations promised not to attack each other. – Hitler offered Stalin control of eastern Poland and the Baltic states. Hitler expected to fight the Soviet Union anyway, it did not matter to Hitler what he promised-he was accustomed to breaking his promises.

Germany Invades Poland Hitler shocked the world when he announced the non-aggression pact. The Treaty gave Hitler the freedom to attack Poland. – September 1, 1939-German forces invaded Poland. 2 days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany.