The Escalation of Tension

Hitler's Expansionist Policies in the 1930s

Hitler's Territorial Ambitions

  • March 1936: Troops into the Rhineland

    • Rhineland demilitarized by Treaty of Versailles

    • League of Nations occupied with Italy's Abyssinia invasion

    • Hitler's move to overturn demilitarization

  • Pacts with Mussolini

    • Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia in 1935

    • Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936

    • Italy joins Anti-Comintern Pact in 1937

  • Anschluss with Austria in 1938

    • Hitler's desire for union with Austria

    • Encouragement of Austrian Nazis for Anschluss

    • Invasion of Austria and proclamation of Greater German Reich

International Reactions

  • France and the USSR Treaty

    • Mutual protection agreement against Germany

    • France hesitant to act during Rhineland occupation

  • Britain's Response

    • Reluctance to intervene due to domestic reasons

    • Policy of appeasement towards Hitler's actions

Hitler-Mussolini Relationship

  • Competition for Power

    • Hitler's intention to lead Europe, Mussolini as a junior partner

    • Rome-Berlin Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

Consequences

  • Escalation of Tensions

    • Germany and Italy isolated from other European powers

  • Anschluss Outcome

    • Rigged referendum in Austria in favor of Anschluss

  • Appeasement Policy

    • Britain's inaction towards Hitler's aggressive moves