1. Further Preparations for aggression Plebiscite in Saarland – personal triumph for Hitler. 445,000 votes for reunion with Germany, 2,000 votes – for union with France and 46,000 votes continuance of the status quo. First talks about naval agreement between Germany and Britain. Joachim von Ribbentrop’s mission to London, November, 1934. Talks with Lord Allen and Lord Lothian (January 25 and January 29, 1935).

2. Reinstating universal military system in Germany and establishment of new army with a peacetime strength of 36 divisions and 550,000 men. Formal protest from British. France and Italy seeking strong countermeasures. Summit in Stresa on Lake Maggiore. Simon and Eden in Berlin. League of Nations condemns Germany for violation the Treaty of Versailles, April 17, 1934.

3. Ribbentrop in London again. June 4, 1935 talks. Acceptance of German proposal – proportion of naval strength – 35 German to 100 British. Italo-Abyssinian (Ethiopian) war. Conflict at Wal-Wal oasis. World reaction to the conflict. Conquest of Ethiopia. May 9, 1936 speech of Mussolini. “Reappearance of the Empire upon the fated hills of Rome”.

4. Mussolini’s notification to Hitler: Italy will not participate in any sanctions against Germany. Remilitarization of Rhineland – March 7, 1936. Hitler’s words about remilitarization: “If French had marched into the Rhineland, we would have to withdraw with our tails between our legs, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even a moderate resistance”.

5. British reaction: “Germans are returning to their own back garden”. Stanley Baldwin’s decision not to help French. French passiveness. The beginning of civil war in Spain – July 17, 1936. World’s reaction. The establishment of London Committee.

6. German decision to help insurgents in Spain – July 25, 1936. Italy sends troops to help insurgents. German-Italian talks. The Axis Treaty – October 25, 1936. The division of spheres of economic expansion, decision to recognize Franco’s government, Germans recognized Italian conquest of Ethiopia.

7. Beginning of talks with Japan – June 1935. The Anticomintern Pact – November 25, 1936. Germany and Japan will fight against Comintern. Secret article – “In case of Soviet menace to any of us we will do nothing to make easier Soviet Union’s situation”. Italy signs Anticomintern Pact – November 25, 1937.