The Causes of WWIINazi expansion during the 1930s

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 seduces the German People

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

Hitler rebuilds the German Military

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 invades the Rhineland and the Saar Region:

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

Germany Unifies with Austria

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

Appeasement

PEACE IN OUR TIME!

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

The Invasion of Poland

Germany expands by:

1. Invading the Rhineland (1935)2. Invading the Saar Region (1935)3. Unifies with Austria (Anschluss 1938)4. Invades Czechoslovakia (1938)5. Invades Poland in 1939 (the beginning of

the WWII)

Nazis suck but Nazi Zombies are awesome!

KEY POINTS

HAVE A NICE DAY