Steps to war

Key Words

Pact (Agreement) Sudetenland (Part of Czechoslovakia Conscription (the building of an army) Soviet Union (Russia)

Steps to War Target: To understand what took place between 1934 and 1940 Outcome: You will sort out cards to create a step by step guide to the Second World War

Connection • According to Mein Kampf, what aims did Hitler have in the East?

• What aims did he have towards the West?

• Were these aims reliable? Explain why/why not.

• Why were the British in a difficult position between 1933 and 1935?

Answers – How did you do?

• Hitler wished to expand his empire; “lebensraum” in the East. He wished to destroy communism.

• Hitler had no territorial ambitions in the West.

• Hitler wrote these aims down when he was in prison years earlier.

• The British were a member of the league. They had a responsibility to defend the borders of nations from invasion. For example, countries like Czechoslovakia, the Sudetenland and Poland were independent countries.However, Britain were scared of Russia (Below, right, Stalin, leader of Russia). Some in Britain agreed with Hitler’s view that communism needed to be defeated.

The Sudetenland – Germany wanted this back as it was full of Germans

Events to War • Activation • You need to create a calendar of events that took place.

Something you can refer to at any time. You need to summarise the actions of Hitler, and decide which events were most important.

Demonstration 1)Use the timeline of events to begin plotting your own calendar.

You will need to cut out the boxes and put them in the correct order. Use the example on the next slide to set off.

The “Hitler’s Actions” table will help you with some, but not all the events. Read them carefully before putting them in order.

This sets you off….Also, some clues for other events 1939 – Nazi – Soviet Pact 1939 – Britain declares War on Germany

1934

1933

In January 1934 Germany signs a non aggression pact with Poland. A surprise move….

Germany withdraws from the Disarmament conference and the League of Nations

Extension • Complete the following.

• 1) Why did the Nazi- Soviet Pact take everybody by surprise?

• 2) Why do you think Hitler made agreements with the Soviet Union (Russia) and Poland?

Plenary • Students are to read out the events calendar in order. They must be correct.