Six Steps to War

Six Steps to War

1. Conscription and Rearmament

   • In 1935 Hitler introduced conscription (calling men to army) This broke the Treaty of versailles
   • Because of appeasement Britain and France let him get away with it

2. Rhineland

   • Hitler invaded the Rhineland on March 7th 1936
     • Also went against TOV
   • It was a bluff; the german army only had 22,000 soldiers and had orders to retreat if met by any resistance
     • France and Britain did nothing

3. Austria

   • In 1938, Hitler tried to take over Austria
     • First Hitler encouraged the Austrian Nazis to demand union with Germany
     • Due to pressure Austria had Anschluss with Germany
     • Again breaking the Treaty of Versailles and again no responce from France or Britain

4. Czechoslovakia

   • In March 1939, Hitler's Troops marched into the rest of Czechoslovakia. This was when Britain knew there would have to be a war
   • Hitler had promised he would need no more of Czechoslovakia but lied

5. Sudetenland

   • In 1938, Hitler tried to take over the Sudetenland but failed
   • In Munich 29th Sep. 1938 Britain and France gave the Sudetenland to Hitler without Czechoslovakia's consent

6. USSR/NAZI pact and Scottland

   • In 1939, Hitler tried to Poland. First the German's in Danzig demanded union with Germany so Hitler threatened war
   • Chamberlain promised to support Poland if Germany attacked
   • In August 1939, Hitler had a secret union with Russia, believing it would stop Britain and France helping Poland
   • On the 1st September 1939 Hitler declared war on Poland two days later Britain declared war on Hitler