Who were the Nazis?
Germany suffered great economic hardship and political unrest during the 1920s, partly as a result of the harsh terms of the Versailles Treaty. The Nazis (National Socialist Party), led by Hitler, were able to take advantage of the political turmoil and gained control of the government in 1933.
The Nazis destroyed all their political rivals during the ‘Night of the Long Knives’, and Hitler was appointed Fuhrer, which meant he had complete control of the country. The Nazis blamed the Jews for Germany’s economic difficulties, and began to persecute them and confiscate their property. A secret police force was set up to give the Nazi party absolute control over the population, and anyone opposing the Nazis was imprisoned and often executed.
Why did Germany go to war in 1939?
Hitler bitterly resented the humiliating terms of the Versailles Treaty. He felt Germany was unfairly treated. He wanted Germany to build a powerful empire that would make it Europe’s leading nation. He began to re-arm Germany, building new and powerful weapons. Some of these were tested during the Spanish Civil War, when the Germans supported the right-wing regime of Franco.
Hitler’s first move was to overpower Austria, which he believed was a natural part of Germany. He then began planning to seize back territories that had been lost at the end of World War I. He managed to seize part of Czechoslovakia, and when there were few protests, he took control of the rest of the country too. As there was little international response to this action, Hitler next planned to take over Poland. Germany was now a force to be reckoned with.
How did Britain get drawn into the Second World War?
Following the invasion of Poland, as with World War I some international alliances were activated. As a result Britain and France declared war on Germany.
When the Germans attacked Poland, the Russians also attacked the country and it was divided. The Germans went on to invade Denmark, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands and France in quick succession. They crushed any resistance with overwhelming armoured forces.
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