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Chapter 4 Part Two (Hitler's expansionist policy)
Hitler took advantage of Britain and France's policy of appeasement to aggressively expand German territory. He first remilitarized the Rhineland, then supported Franco in the Spanish Civil War to test Germany's military. When Britain and France did nothing in response, Hitler grew bolder and annexed Austria to unite German-speaking peoples. After annexing the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia at Munich, Hitler took the rest of the country. Confident that the Western allies would continue to appease him, Hitler then invaded Poland, prompting Britain and France's declaration of war and the start of World War II.
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Chapter 4 Part Two (Hitler's expansionist policy)
- 3. Hitler sentGerman troops into the Rhineland. He used the excuse that Germany had to defend itself from a threat from France and the USSR.
- 4. Britain andFrance did not take any action against Hitler. Hitler became even more popular with the German people and military. –why? He became bolder in his demands. What does this cartoon tell us about how people viewed the lack of effective response?
- 5. Hitler senttroops, equipment and warplanes to support the Nationalist forces during the Spanish CivilWar (1936-9). He did so as he wanted to test German military capabilities. Gen . Franco German Airforce
- 6. He alsowanted to divert British and French attention from his expansionist plans. He used the excuse that he was fighting against communism.
- 7. No actionwas taken against Germany by the LON, Britain and France. Hitler saw them to be weak, and grew even more confident in carrying our future expansionist plans
- 8. Why do youthink Hitler wanted to unite with Austria? Unite German-speaking people Resources!
- 9. Hitler encouragedthe Nazis in Austria to cause trouble and pressurise the Austrian Chancellor to agree to Anschluss. A vote was held to decide if Austrians supported Anschluss.
- 10. Hitler senttroops into Austria before the vote, giving the excuse that he was helping to keep order. The Austrian Chancellor eventually resigned under German pressure and the vote was abandoned. Austria then became a province of Germany.
- 11. Once again,Britain and France did nothing in response to this. Austria’s resources of gold and iron, along with its military forces and weapons, were now available for German use.
- 12. Hitler’s successat achieving Anschluss won him great support among the military and his people, and he became even more confident to commit more acts of aggression.
- 13. Under Naziinfluence, the Germans from the Sudetenland demanded to be part of Germany. Hitler had threatened to go to war over Sudetenland. The leader of Czechoslovakia refused to give in, and asked for help from Britain, France and the USSR. President Benes
- 14. Instead, Britainand France followed the policy of appeasement, signing the Munich Agreement which gave Sudetenland to Germany. In response, Hitler promised not to invade other territories. The Munich Agreement was signed without consulting the USSR and Czechoslovakia. ‘I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep.’
- 15. Hitler gainedcontrol of Sudetenland without even having to fight. He began to plan to take over the rest of Czechoslovakia.
- 16. Hitler invadedthe rest of Czechoslovakia.
- 17. Britain andFrance finally realised that Hitler could not be trusted, although they still took no action against Germany. Hitler’s next target was Poland. Britain and France warned Hitler that if he were to invade Poland, they would declare war on Germany.
- 18. Germany andthe USSR signed a pact of non- aggression. The USSR promised to remain neutral if Germany attacked Poland. In exchange, they would divide Poland between themselves.
- 19. Hitler nowhad the confidence to invade Poland, since he would not have to end up fighting both Britain and France in the west and the USSR in the east.
- 20. He alsobelieved that Britain and France would not offer help to Poland as they did not have the support of the USSR.
- 21. Germany invadedPoland, confident that it would be able to handle an attack from Britain and France if either country launched an attack.
- 22. Britain andFrance told Hitler to withdraw from Poland or face war. When Hitler refused to withdraw, they declared war on Germany, starting World War II.
Editor's Notes
- #5 Discuss David Low cartoon – Democratic countries not standing up to Hitler