17.3.5

The Buildup to WW2

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The Buildup to World War Two

From 1936 onwards, Hitler began to prepare Germany for war.

Illustrative background for Remilitarising the RhinelandIllustrative background for Remilitarising the Rhineland ?? "content

Remilitarising the Rhineland

  • In 1936, Hitler directly disobeyed the Treaty of Versailles (the peace treaty after World War One) and remilitarised the Rhineland.
  • He sent soldiers and tanks into the area.
  • Britain and France did not stop him. This showed him that they would let him grow the German military.
Illustrative background for AnschlussIllustrative background for Anschluss ?? "content

Anschluss

  • In March 1938 Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles again by unifying Germany with Austria.
  • This was called the Anschluss.
  • Hitler was expanding Germany. He wanted to build a ‘reich’ (empire) which would last 1,000 years.
Illustrative background for The SudetenlandIllustrative background for The Sudetenland ?? "content

The Sudetenland

  • In October 1938, Hitler invaded the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia.
  • He claimed he was freeing Germans living in the Sudetenland.
  • British politicians (led by Chamberlain, the Prime Minister) followed a policy called ‘appeasement’. This meant they gave Hitler what he wanted to avoid war.
Illustrative background for Invasion of PolandIllustrative background for Invasion of Poland ?? "content

Invasion of Poland

  • In 1939, Hitler made a secret pact with the Soviet Union to invade Poland.
  • This was the start of World War Two.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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