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Timeline: War Again in Europe!
March, 1938- ‘Anschluss’:German troops cross the border into Austria and take control. Britain and France don’t react because of the policy of appeasement.
Anschluss Clip 4:14
October, 1938- Munich Pact:Hitler demanded that an area of Czechoslovakia known as the ‘Sudetenland’ be returned to Germany. In order to appease Hitler and avoid war, British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain agreed to let him take the land.
"My good friends, this is the second time in our history that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And now I recommend you to go home and sleep quietly in your beds."
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain speaking to cheering Brits after his return from the Munich Conference.
Regarding his first impression of Hitler, Chamberlain commented: "In spite of the hardness and ruthlessness I thought I saw in his face, I got the impression that here was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word."
"I did not think it possible that Czechoslovakia would be virtually served up to me on a plate by her friends."
Regarding his impression of the Western Allies, Hitler would later say: "Our enemies are little worms. I saw them at Munich."
In England Winston Churchill attacked appeasement as "a defeat without a war".
March, 1939- Invasion of CzechoslovakiaHitler breaks the Munich Pact and invades the rest of Czechoslovakia.
August, 1939- Soviet/German “Non-Aggression Pact”Hitler wanted to invade Poland. In order to prevent any Soviet interference Hitler negotiated a non-aggression pact in late August 1939. The two nations agreed not to attack each other and to divide Poland between themselves.
September 1, 1939- German Invasion of PolandOn Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland using a style of warfare known as ‘Blitzkrieg’. This ‘lightning war’ involved attacking by surprise and pushing hard to achieve victory. Poland stood no chance, and fell quickly.
September 3, 1939- Britain & France Declare WarBritain issued an ultimatum for Hitler to withdraw from Poland but it was ignored leading to a declaration of war by both Britain & France.
September 10, 1939- Canada Declares WarUnlike WWI Canada was not automatically at war once war was declared by Britain. Prime Minister Mackenzie King wanted the people of Canada to discuss the issue before declaring war.
