Expansion of Nazi Germany and Prelude to World War II

Expansion of Nazi Germany and the Prelude to World War II

Invasion of European Territories

  • Hitler begins invading various places in Europe to expand German territory.

  • Concurrently, he initiates the rounding up of the Jewish population in Europe.

Nuremberg Laws and Political Consolidation

  • The Nuremberg Laws are passed by the Nazi Party.

    • These laws institutionalize racial discrimination against Jews and other non-Aryans.

  • The Nazi Party becomes the only political party, effectively erasing all other parties and dismantling the Weimar Republic.

  • Establishment of a military dictatorship with Hitler as the Fuhrer.

Remilitarization of Germany

  • Hitler embarks on the remilitarization of Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles.

  • The Treaty of Versailles had heavily restricted Germany's military capabilities, including prohibitions on troops in specific areas like the Rhineland (the region along the French-Belgian border).

  • Despite the clear violation of the treaty, no military action is taken against Hitler’s actions.

The Rhineland

  • The Rhineland is a significant area that Germany was forbidden to occupy as part of the Treaty of Versailles restrictions.

  • Hitler defies this prohibition by placing troops in the Rhineland, understanding that Britain and France have no appetite for war at that time.

Annexation of Austria (Austria’s Integration into Nazi Germany)

  • In March 1938, Hitler annexes Austria into Germany, a move that violates international norms.

  • Austria had a significant German-speaking population, and the annexation was presented as unification.

  • International condemnation ensues, but no decisive action is taken, partially due to the absence of the United States from the League of Nations.

    • The League of Nations is established to maintain peace but lacks military authority and power.

Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia

  • Hitler aims to annex the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population.

  • The area of Sudetenland is politically sensitive, as Czechoslovakia has agreements with Britain and France for protection against aggressive acts.

  • The Munich Conference (September 1938):

    • British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French leaders meet Hitler to discuss the Sudetenland annexation.

    • Hitler claims this will be his last territorial demand; the Allies appease him, allowing the annexation while neglecting Czechoslovakia's sovereignty.

    • This approach is known as the Policy of Appeasement.

    • Appeasement: the policy of conceding to aggressive demands in hopes of maintaining peace.

  • Winston Churchill criticizes this decision, predicting it will lead to another war.

  • Within six months, Hitler occupies all of Czechoslovakia, showing the ineffectiveness of appeasement.

Nazi-Soviet Pact and the Invasion of Poland

  • The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (August 1939) is signed between Germany and the Soviet Union.

    • They agree to divide Poland, setting the stage for invasion.

  • On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of World War II.

  • This action prompts Britain and France to declare war on Germany within days, due to previous treaty obligations to Poland.

United States Neutrality Acts

  • Prior to direct involvement in WWII, the U.S. implements Neutrality Acts to avoid being drawn into conflict.

  • The Neutrality Acts prohibit arms sales to countries engaged in war.

  • The 1939 revision allows for cash-and-carry purchases of weapons by belligerent nations.

    • This entails transferring the burden of transportation to the purchasing nations, primarily benefiting Britain and France.

Lend-Lease Act and U.S. Involvement

  • The Lend-Lease Act (1941) allows the U.S. to provide military support to allies.

    • Over $50 billion worth of supplies are lent to countries fighting against Axis forces.

  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt navigates around neutrality laws to provide essential support to Britain and its allies.

Japan's Aggression and Pearl Harbor

  • Japan, part of the Axis powers, invades territories in Asia leading up to WWII.

  • The U.S. relocates its Pacific Fleet to Pearl Harbor in response to Japanese aggression, heightening tensions.

  • Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) leads to the U.S. formally entering WWII.

  • The attack devastates the Pacific Fleet and prompts a declaration of war against Japan and, subsequently, Germany and Italy due to the Tripartite Pact between Axis powers.

Summary of Major Events

  • 1933: Hitler rises to power; 1938: Annexation of Austria; 1938: Munich Conference with appeasement; 1939: Invasion of Poland; September 1939: WW2 officially begins; December 1941: U.S. enters WWII after Pearl Harbor.