1. The War in Europe 1939-1940

2. The Treaty of Versailles Formally ended WWI Imposed harsh terms on Germany – Lost land – Limited military Angered many Germans – Felt “stabbed in the back”

3. 100,000 De-militarised The Military Clauses

6. The Great Depression & The Weimar Republic A global depression devastated economies German economy was ruined – Rampant inflation – Extremely high unemployment Little faith in Weimar Republic – Signed Treaty of Versailles Conditions led rise to political instability – Communists – Freikorps

7. Inflation in the Weimar Republic

8. The Rise of the Nazis Political instability led to the rise of the Nazi Party – Adolf Hitler elected chancellor in 1933 – Blamed Jews & communist for Germany’s troubles Germany begins rearming itself – Ignored Treaty of Versailles restrictions – Improved economy through military spending

9. Nazi Promises Restore German power and its economy

10. Events Leading to War in Europe March 1936: Demilitarized Rhineland March 1938: German-Austrian Anschluss Sept. 1938: Sudetenland March 1938: Czechoslovakia Sept. 1939: Poland invaded April 1940: Norway & Denmark May 1940: Belgium, Netherlands, France June 1940: France surrenders July 1940: Battle of Britain begins

11. Appeasement Germany remilitarizes as U.K. & France watch Hitler demands the Sudetenland – A part of Czechoslovakia with Germans Hitler met with Neville Chamberlain at Munich in September U.K. & France agree to appease Hitler

12. German Pre War Expansion 1. 1936 – Germany occupies the Rhineland. 2. 1938 – Germany annexes Austria 3. 1938 – Germany demands and gets the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. 4. 1938 – Germany marches into and annexes the rest of Czechoslovakia.

13. German Rearmament Secret effort since it violated the Treaty of Versailles Set up fake companies to manufacture vehicles and train pilots Rearmament led to high employment rates Germany developed a top-notch army

14. The Axis is formed 1.1936 - Germany and Italy create an alliance called the Rome/Berlin Axis. 2.Germany and Japan sign an anti-communist pact. Italy later signs the pact. 3. Germany, Italy and Japan now form the Axis powers under the cover of fighting world wide communism.

15. Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact In 1939, the Germans signed and agreement never to go to war with Russia Hidden in the pact was an agreement to divide up Poland once they were defeated. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Russia also invaded from the East claiming the new nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

16. Invasion of Poland September 1 st, 1939 Germany invades Poland w/1,000,000 troops. Soviets invade from the east Poland defeated in 26 days. Britain and France declare war on Germany.

17. Blitzkrieg Means “Lightning War” (fast mechanized warfare) Step 1: Dive bombers and artillery. Step 2: tanks smash through the enemy and encircle them. Step 3: Infantry units move in and destroy the enemy.

18. The Phony War Following the fall of Poland, war came to a halt. April 1940, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. The nonaggression pact with Russia secures the German Eastern Front.