Hitlers Early Gambles and Decesions

Section 2What were Hitlers early moves in Europe that led to the breakout of WWII?Hitlers Early Gambles and DecisionsStep One: NegotiationsAxis 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 VersaillesMajor gamble for HitlerEngland and France did NOT resistThe Allies lost an important opportunity to stop Hitler, whose tiny German force would have easily been overwhelmed by the French ArmyThis failure would have led to Hitler being overthrown and eliminated as a threatThe success of this gamble builds German confidence

Step 3Annexing AustriaA Nazi Party had been formed during the 1920sBy 1930s, the Nazi Party had grown significantly and had representation in Austrias cabinetHitler and the Austrian chancellor had major disagreements on the union of Germany and AustriaHitler decided to march into Austria with a show of force!Chancellor of Austria resigned Austria increased the size of Germanys population, territory, and resources. Germany now controlled the heart of central EuropeStep 3 continuedCrisis in the SudetenlandMore than 3 million Germans lived in this regionIncluded a chain of mountains around the western rim of Czechoslovakia- heavily fortified, great natural defenseMany Germans in this region wanted to unionize with GermanyCzechoslovakia refused, protest broke out, and the area was placed under martial lawHitler then announced he would invade and take over the Sudetenland to protect his fellow Germans

Primary Source activityStep one: Read your sourceStep 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 SourceThe Misery of the Sudeten Germans is Indescribable- Hitler (Sept 12, 1938)Step 4Reaction of the Allies- Great Britain and FranceMunich Conference:Mussolini (Italy), Neville Chamberlain (Britain), Hitler (Germany), Edouard Daladier (France)Chamberlain and Daladier accepted the German demands of the Sudetenland joining with GermanyProcess became known as Appeasement- accepting some of the demands of the aggressor in order to maintain peace

Primary SourceCzechoslovakia has ceased to exist (March 15, 1939)-HitlerI bitterly regret what has now occurred Chamberlain

Step 5:Hitler invades Czechoslovakia. Within 6 months, this independent nation was erased from EuropeGreat Britain and France prepare for war.Issue a draftCreate a rearmament programGreat Britain and France promised to protect Poland if Germany attackedStep 6: Negotiations with StalinGreat Britain and France tried to negotiate a treaty with Stalin- dragged on and was NEVER accomplishedBehind the allies back, Stalin and Hitler negotiated a treatyIn August 1939, Hitler proudly announced a German-Soviet nonaggression PactDivide up PolandSoviets would take control of the Baltic PeninsulaPrimary SourceOur enemies are little Worms (August 22, 1939) HitlerStep 7On September 1, 1939 Hitler invaded PolandWWII officially beganTwo days later, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany

Everything I have hoped for has crashed into Ruins (September 3, 1939) Chamberlain