1. Mapping and Timeline Guided Reading
The Path to WWII
Mapping and Timeline Guided Reading

2. Path to War
2. In 1935, Hitler began to defy the Treaty of Versailles by building and expanding the German air force and army. 3. European leaders tried to negotiate with Hitler instead of going to war. 4. Why did European leaders attempt to make deals with Hitler? a. Want to avoid bloodshed of WWI b. Though Hitler’s demands were reasonable c. Thought Nazi’s were more interested in peace

3. The Austrian Anschluss
Timeline: March Hitler sends troops into the Rhineland 6. Why did Hitler want to unify Germany, Austria, and part of Czechoslovakia? He wanted to unify the German-speaking regions Timeline: March Anschluss- Hitler sends troops into Austria to unite Germany and Austria

4. The Munich Crisis
8. Hitler leveled a claim for the Sudetenland, an area of Czechoslovakia. 9. France, Britain, and the Soviet Union (USSR) pledged to fight if Germany attacked Czechoslovakia. Timeline: September 29, Munich Conference- Britain and France allow Hitler to take the Sudetenland

5. The Munich Crisis
11. Why did the Allies give in to Hitler’s demands for the Sudetenland? They felt they could avoid war by giving Hitler what he wanted 12. What is ironic about Neville Chamberlain’s promise, “Peace with honor…peace in our time?” He started building up Britain’s arms

6. Hitler Demands Danzig
Timeline: October Hitler demands city of Danzig be returned to Germany 15. Hitler also wanted to build a highway and railroad across the Polish Corridor in order to connect Germany with its state, East Prussia 16. When Poland refused to meet Hitler’s demands, Hitler prepared the German army to invade Poland. Timeline: March Germany sends troops in Czechoslovakia and divides it

7. The Nazi-Soviet Pact
17. Joseph Stalin agreed to a nonaggression pact with Germany as the best way to protect the USSR. Timeline: August 23, USSR and Germany sign nonaggression pact 19. Why was it shocking that Germany and the USSR would make a pact with each other? Nazism and Communism were opposed to each other

8. The War Begins
Timeline: September 1, Germany invades Poland Timeline: September 3, Britain and France declare war on Germany. WWII begins