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The Causes of WWII. Nazi expansion during the 1930s. Hitler seduces the German People. Hitler was an extremely popular leader
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The Causes of WWII Nazi expansion during the 1930s
Hitler seduces the German People • Hitler was an extremely popular leader • While the rest of the world was going through the great depression, Hitler offered his people good jobs (building weapons and Highways), a strong economy, social programs (like free vacations), ethnic price and a national purpose. • Hitler specifically targets children and brings Nazism to schools and creates mandatory after school programs • Even Germans who felt uncomfortable with all the militarism, propaganda, rallies and racial hatred (towards Jews and others) supported Hitler because life was better with him in power • HITLER WASN’T A GENIUS! The truth is that Germany was headed towards economic disaster. Don't ever listen to people who say otherwise!
Hitler rebuilds the German Military • According to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was to have a tiny army (100,000 men), no navy & no air force • Hitler immediately broke the treaty by spending millions on weapons production and development • He warship and aircraft production was kept top secret • He created an army of “workers” that were trained like soldiers
Germany invades the Rhineland and the Saar Region: • The Rhineland is the German border with France • As part of the Treaty of Versailles the Germany Army could not enter this area • The Saar Region was occupied by the French as part of the treaty • Hitler moved the German army into the Rhineland and the Saar Region in 1935 • France did nothing • The German people were very excited and Hitler gained further support
Germany Unifies with Austria • Called the “ANSCHLUSS” or Union • Taking advantage of a weak Austrian government and a poor and humiliated Austrian people, Germany invades Austria and takes the country without firing a shot • Austria became part of Germany and Austrians were expected to call themselves Germans
Appeasement • In 1938, Hitler claims that German speaking people in the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) were being mistreated • Hitler threatens to invade to save these people • An international conference is called • Only France, Britain, Italy and Germany are invited • Britain and France decide to persuade Czechoslovakia into giving Germany the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of peace • This was known as “Appeasement” or “giving in to the demands of others” • Hitler breaks his promise immediately and invades the rest of Czechoslovakia
The Invasion of Poland • Hitler wanted access to East Prussia (part of Germany that had been cut off from the rest of the country) • This was because of the “Polish Corridor” a path cut through Germany which gave Poland access to the ocean • Poland denied Germany access • Hitler invaded on Sept 1, 1939 • England and France finally step in and declare war against Germany
KEY POINTS • Germany expands by: • Invading the Rhineland (1935) • Invading the Saar Region (1935) • Unifies with Austria (Anschluss 1938) • Invades Czechoslovakia (1938) • Invades Poland in 1939 (the beginning of the WWII) • Nazis suck but Nazi Zombies are awesome!