Steps to WWII & Jewish Persecution

Steps to WWII & Jewish Persecution Fall 2012 Canadian History Francis, Sobolewski, Bartok

1935

Nuremberg Laws • Took away citizenship and civil rights of Jews = No protection under the law • Illegal for Jew to marry a non-Jew • Almost impossible to earn a living – banned from most industry • “Jewish” became a genetic designation , not religious • If you have 1 Jewish grandparent; then you are considered Jewish under this law

1936

Re-Occupation of the Rhineland Re-Occupation of the Rhineland • German troops march into the Rhineland • No one stops the German advance • Hitler orders troops to turn back if met with any resistance • T of V forbids Germany from rearming the Rhineland- they have broken the Treaty of Versailles, …but why go to war? …No one will go to war over Germany reoccupying their own country

Spanish Civil War • Civil War between fascism and communism • Franco supported by Italy and Germany • 1500 Canadians will defy the government and go to fight- Why? • No jobs – Great Depression, concerned about the spread of fascism • This is where Hitler will test his “war machine” – figure out how to use the new technologies

1938

Annexation of Austria • Nazi soldiers occupy Austria w/o a single shot fired- only the threat of force • No attempt to stop Hitler- Why? • Referendum held – voted to join Germany (German troops are in the capital) • Austria wanted to join Germany in 1919, but forbidden to do so. Point – there was no need to go to war if they were willing • Hitler’s territorial advance makes him a hero in Germany

Munich Agreement • Br + Fr meet with Hitler • Agreed/”allowed” Hitler to have Sudetenland -- Policy of Appeasement • Appeasement – giving in to Hitler’s demands for assurances there will be no more demands • Avoid a war at all costs – not physically or psychologically ready for war

Rome- Berlin Axis • A mutual support treaty signed by Hitler and Mussolini • They pre plan how they will divide any potential “spoils of war” • Hitler will get Northern Europe • Mussolini will get Southern Europe and Northern Africa

Kristallnacht: Night of Broken Glass • German embassy officer is shot by a Polish Jew in France • Jewish shops were looted; thousands arrested and beaten • Fine the Jews to pay for the damaged/looted shops • First time Jews sent to concentration camps • This is a legal procedure because the Nuremberg Laws are in place

1939

Occupation of Czechoslovakia • Nazi troops occupy the REST of Czech. • Breaks the Munich Agreement • No attempt to defend their independence • Br + Allies not interested with this occupation and not ready for war • Allied rearmament will begin

Non-Aggression Pact • Pact between Germany and Russia • Will not fight each other in the event of a war • Secretly decide to divide Poland • Hitler does not need to fear an attack from the East -- Prevents a war on two fronts

Invasion of Poland • Hitler demands the Polish Corridor back • Poland refuses, Nazi’s launch Blitzkrieg • Poland falls in under 3 weeks

Declarations of War Sept 3, 1939 • Br. declares war, appeasement fails Sept 10, 1939 • Canada declares war, 7 days later • Debated in the H of C to exercise our independence

Steps to WWII & Jewish Persecution