IB History: The Move to Global War-German Expansion 1938-1939

Summary

This video script outlines Germany's aggressive expansion from 1938 to 1939, leading up to World War II. It covers key events such as the annexation of Austria (Anschluss), the Sudetenland crisis, and the Munich Agreement, where British and French appeasement failed to prevent Hitler’s further territorial ambitions. The script also details Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia, the strategic moves leading to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union, and the final spark of the war: the invasion of Poland in September 1939, followed by Britain and France declaring war on Germany. The narrative explores the political and military dynamics of these pivotal moments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Germany sought a political union with Austria, culminating in the Anschluss of March 1938 after Austria's chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, capitulated to Hitler's demands.
• 😀 The Sudetenland Crisis of 1938 involved Hitler's demand for the Sudetenland, home to 3.5 million Germans, leading to the Munich Agreement where Czechoslovakia was forced to cede the territory to Germany.
• 😀 Despite initial British and French appeasement, Hitler continued to demand more, and by March 1939, Germany fully occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia, marking the failure of the policy of appeasement.
• 😀 The occupation of Czechoslovakia signified Hitler’s first steps towards creating Lebensraum (living space) for Germany, particularly as the Sudetenland was rich in resources and industry.
• 😀 Poland's creation after World War I and the resulting Polish Corridor, which bisected Germany, became a key issue for Hitler who demanded the region, including the port city of Danzig.
• 😀 On March 30, 1939, Britain and France gave Poland a security guarantee, signaling the end of appeasement after the failure to prevent Germany's occupation of Czechoslovakia.
• 😀 Hitler and Italy signed the Pact of Steel on May 22, 1939, forming a military alliance in anticipation of hostilities with France and Britain.
• 😀 To avoid a two-front war, Hitler negotiated the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union on August 24, 1939, agreeing not to attack each other and secretly dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.
• 😀 With the Soviet Union neutralized, Germany prepared for war in Poland, and Britain and Poland signed a military alliance on August 25, 1939.
• 😀 On August 31, 1939, Germany staged a false flag operation by attacking a German radio station, creating a pretext for invasion. The next day, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II in Europe.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of Germany's expansion from 1938 to 1939?

Germany's primary goal during this period was to unite all German-speaking peoples under a single Reich, which included annexing Austria and acquiring territory in Czechoslovakia and Poland. This expansion also aimed at securing Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe.

What was the Anschluss, and why was it significant?

The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938. It was significant because it marked the first major step in Hitler's expansionist policies and was achieved with little resistance from other European powers.

How did Austria's political situation contribute to the Anschluss?

Austria had internal political unrest, including the rise of Austrian Nazis and violent conflict. The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, struggled to maintain independence and eventually capitulated to Hitler's demands, paving the way for the German invasion.

What was the Munich Agreement, and what did it allow Hitler to do?

The Munich Agreement was a 1938 agreement between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a large ethnic German population. This agreement was seen as an act of appeasement, as it was made without consulting Czechoslovakia itself.

What was the impact of the Munich Agreement on Czechoslovakia?

The Munich Agreement severely weakened Czechoslovakia, as it lost the Sudetenland, which contained most of its heavy industry and natural defenses. This paved the way for the eventual German invasion of the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939.

How did the dissolution of Czechoslovakia contribute to the escalation of war in Europe?

The disintegration of Czechoslovakia in 1939 marked a clear betrayal of the Munich Agreement by Hitler, signaling the end of appeasement. It also emboldened Nazi Germany and showed that Hitler was not interested in diplomatic solutions but in expanding his territorial ambitions.

Why did Hitler want to invade Poland, and what role did the Polish Corridor play in his plans?

Hitler wanted to invade Poland to secure the Polish Corridor, a narrow strip of land that divided Germany and gave Poland access to the Baltic Sea. This division of Germany was a strategic problem, and Hitler sought to reclaim this territory along with the free city of Danzig.

What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and why was it important for Hitler's war plans?

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a non-aggression agreement signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in August 1939. It was important because it ensured that Germany would not have to fight a two-front war, allowing Hitler to focus on invading Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.

What event marked the beginning of World War II in Europe?

World War II in Europe officially began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, using both a ground invasion and aerial bombardments. This attack followed a staged incident at a German radio station, which Hitler used as a pretext for the invasion.

How did Britain and France respond to Germany's invasion of Poland?

In response to Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain and France honored their mutual defense pact with Poland, declaring war on Germany on September 3, 1939. This marked the formal start of World War II in Europe.