1) Germany began openly rearming in 1935 in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, while Italy invaded Ethiopia, testing the resolve of the League of Nations which took no action. 2) In 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland and signed an alliance with Italy, while a civil war broke out in Spain between nationalists backed by Germany and Italy and republicans. 3) Germany continued expanding by annexing Austria in 1938 and demanding the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, which Britain and France acquiesced to in the Munich Agreement hoping to appease Hitler, despite recognizing this would not satisfy German ambitions for long.

1. Causes of World War II EUROPE

2. Germany March 1935- Hitler denounces VT and starts massive rearmament campaign. League of Nations objected but did nothing The Leagues failure to do anything convinced Hitler to take greater risk Mussolini likewise noticed what happened.

3. Mussolini attacks Ethiopia Italy was defeated by Ethiopia in the 1890s. Oct 1935 Italy invaded and conquered the African Nation easily.

4. League of Nations reaction to Italian invasion Condemned it but did nothing. Britain and France hoped to keep the peace in Europe. “ God and history will remember your judgment..It is us today. It will be you tomorrow ” -Haile Selassie Ethiopian Emperor

5. German Expansion: A Turning Point!!!! March 1936-Germany reoccupies the Rhineland What is the Rhineland according to the VT treaty?

6. The Rhineland: Reactions France is shocked Britain urged appeasement Oct 1936 “Rome-Berlin Pact” Nov 1936 Japan allies with Italy and Germany forming the AXIS powers

7. Meanwhile in Spain: Civil War Spain is a monarchy until 1931- turned into a republic July 1936 the Army wanting a Fascist style gov’t revolted. Lead by Francisco Franco

8. Meanwhile in Spain: Civil War 3 yr Civil War 1936-1939 Nationalist -Fascist vs.. Replicans -democratic Hitler and Mus. Supported Nationalist Soviets supported Republicans Nationalist under Franco won!

9. The German Reich expands: to unite all German speaking people. “Today Germany! Tomorrow the World” VT prohibited Anchluss: the unification of Austria and Germany March 1938 Hitler invaded Austria and annexed it. LoN did nothing

10. The Third Reich Expands: Czechoslovakia Germany wanted the Sudetenland: the German speaking portion of Czech. Sept 1938 Hitler demanded the territory Czech gov’t fearing invasion asked for help from GB and France.

11. The Munich Conference France and Great Britain prepared for war. Mussolini proposed a conference between all countries involved They met on Sept 29, 1938

12. The Munich Conference British Prime Minister Chamberlin wanted appeasement . Britain and France agreed to let Hitler have the Sudetenland if Czech borders were respected thereafter. Hitler agreed War was avoided (for now)

13. Further Fascist Aggression 6 months later Hitler takes all of Czech Mussolini seizes Albania Hitler demands Polish port of Danzig. Poles plead to France and Great Britain for help.

15. The Nonaggression Pact Stalin resented being left out of Munich Conference. Soviets and Nazis signed non aggression pact August 23, 1939 War seemed inevitable