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[Outbreak of World War II in Europe] (1933-1939)

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[Outbreak of World War II in Europe] (1933-1939)

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Welcome to my Padlet! This is where I will present a timeline, in chronological order from top to bottom, on the outbreak of World War II (WWII) in Europe. I will be focusing more on how Hitler's actions contributed to the outbreak of WWII. Do click on all the hyperlinks attach to some of my posts as it will give you a better insight on how Hitler's actions contributed to the outbreak of WWII. All sources that are cited are at the end of the timeline. Please sit back and enjoy this timeline!

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Hitler cleverly took advantage of events and also used the threat of violence to achieve his aims. It became obvious that his most powerful potential enemies, Britain and France, were reluctant to go to war, and were willing to compromise to avoid another disaster like World War I. As Hitler set about abolishing the Treaty of Versailles (TOV), he was emboldened to go further with each successful step he took. The German people resented the TOV and believed that Hitler was justified in his actions, therefore, Hitler was able to draw large support from Germans in his Expansionist Policy.

Here is the link to a video explaining Hitler's Expansionist Policy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWxgcqGH8dY [23 minutes]

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-Hitler wanted to establish a greater Germany
Lands such as Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland would be acquired.
All ethnic Germans living in those countries would be united with those in Germany

-Hitler wanted to create the Lebensraum (Living Space)
To further facilitate further German expansion, large areas in Eastern Europe, such as Soviet Union and Poland, must be conquered.

-Establish the superior Aryan race
This would be done by rebuilding Germany's once-proud armed forces, and exterminating 'inferior races'.

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Hitler wanted to restore Germany's pride and strength after the humiliation of the TOV. Hence, he had all along planned a massive rearmament programme to build up Germany's defences.

Hitler proposed that the French disarm to the level of armaments that the TOV allowed Germany during the Geneva Disarmament Conference, when the French did not agree, Hitler used their objection as an excuse to withdraw from both the conference and the League of Nations (LON).

From 1933-1934, the Nazis stepped up their secret rearmament and conscription programme. Under the TOV, Germany was not allowed to have an air force, however, by March 1935, Germany possesed a 2,500-plane Luftwaffe. Hitler was thus free to transform Germany into a formidable and dangerous military power.

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Remilitarisation of the Rhineland [7th March 1936]

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Remilitarisation of the Rhineland [7th March 1936]

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Hitler often complained about the permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland ordered by the TOV. This demilitarisation had also been accepted by the Weimar Government under the Lorcarno Treaties in 1925.

On 7th March 1936, Hitler ordered German troops to cross the Hohenzollern Bridge and remilitarise the Rhineland. He used the Franco-Soviet Alliance as an excuse, saying that Germany was now under threat from France and the Soviet Union, and should be allowed to defend its own frontiers.

The LON condemned Hitler's actions, but did nothing else. Hitler's timing was perfect, as the LON was distracted by the Abyssinian Crisis at that time. Hitler's gamble that there would be no resistance from Britain or France paid off. As a result, his standing among the German people and with the German Army increased tremendously. Hitler became even bolder in his demands.

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Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War [1937]

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Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War [1937]

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Hitler's involvement in the Spainish Civil War was designed in part to divert British and French attention from his plans for expansion into Eastern Europe. It also gave him the opportunity to test his army and air force while fighting against the alleged communists.

Hitler potrayed himself to be the defender of civilisation against communism. This added to the perception that the Western powers could trust Hitler, and made British and French intervention in Spain seem even more remote. However, this lack of intervention also strengthened Hitler's view that Britain and France were weak, which in turn made him more aggressive.

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Hitler made it clear in Mein Kampf (My Struggle) that he felt Germany and his homeland, Austria, belong together. Many people from both Austria and Germany also strongly supported such a union. However, the TOV did not allow Austria to join with Germany at the end of WWI when Austria wanted to.

Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazis to make trouble and push for Anschluss with Germany. He then tried to pressurise Kurt Schuschnigg, the Austrian Chancellor, into agreeing. Schuschnigg unwillingly called a plebiscite to see if the Austrian people supported the Anschluss with Germany. 99.75% of the population voted for the Anschluss.

Austria was annexed on 13 March 1938 and Germany thus achieved Anschluss without any conflict. This was again a violation of the TOV and once again, Britain and France did nothing. Austria's resources of Gold and Iron Ore were now at Hitler's disposal, as were its army and weapons.

Here is a short video showing the Nazis taking Austria after the voting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t75ldUNc2Xw

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The population of the Sudetenland Area in Czechoslovakia was largely German. Under the influence of the Nazi Party leader in Sudetenland, these Germans demanded to be part of Germany, and Hitler threatened to go to war for the Sudetenland if necessary.

To avoid a waging war in Europe, the leaders of Britain and France, along with Hitler and Mussolini, signed the Munich Agreement on the 29th of September 1938, deciding that Germany would gain control of the Sudetenland. Having gained control of the Sudetenland without having to fight, Hitler began to set his sights even further on occupying the whole of Czechoslovakia.

On 16th March 1939, Hitler invaded and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Neither the Czechs nor the Allies fought back. British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain realised that Hitler could no longer be trusted. His fear was that Poland would be Hitler's next target. Britain and France warned Hitler accordingly that they would go to war with Germany if he invaded Poland.

Here is the link to a video showing the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSe1Yuk0jsc

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Hitler continued to set his sights on further expansion for Germany. He wanted to take over Poland and hoped that the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact would allow him to do so without having to go to war with the Soviet Union.

Soviet rights over the Baltic States (E.g. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) were recognised by both Germany and the Soviet Union, and Poland was also divided between them. In response, Britain and Poland signed a mutual defence treaty.

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Hitler's invasion of Poland was the last straw that triggered World War II. Since 1937, Hitler had demanded for the 'Free City' of Danzig to be part of Germany. Danzig was a port city and most of its population was German. Hitler also wanted a railroad built across the Polish Corridor to connect Germany with East Prussia, which was considered to be part of Germany. However, Polish leaders distrusted Hitler and feared the loss of Poland's independence.

Though Britain and France realised that Hitler could not be trusted, they were still willing to resume negotiations with Germany. When negotiations did not go according to how he hoped, he invaded Poland on the September 1st 1939. However, Britain and France kept their promise this time, and declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939

Here is the link to a video showing the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdzXr144VzE

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Thank You for reading my timeline on the outbreak of World War II! I hope that you now know more about how Hitler's actions contributed to the outbreak of World War II and can familiarise yourself with these events that took place from 1933 to 1939

The source of my information come from the learning book "All About History: Unit 2 The World In Crisis The Making Of The Contemporary World Order 1870s-1991" by the publisher Pearson.

Below are the links of the images cited:

http://rabidrepublicanblog.com/lebensraum-it-was-public-policy/

https://bmy10history.wikispaces.com/Rearmament+and+the+Re-militarisation+of+the+Rhineland

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/7th-march-1936-german-troops-march-into-the-rhineland-news-photo/79656148

https://trcs.wikispaces.com/Spanish+Civil+War

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwarii/p/World-War-Ii-Munich-Agreement.htm

http://www.johndclare.net/RoadtoWWII8.htm

http://www.apimages.com/Collection/Landing/WWII-Invasion-of-Poland/d8c9bdcad6774d1a992462965ad31f85

https://prezi.com/-qsuax-cjn8x/european-pacific-campaign/