After World WAr I
In the French view, everything possible had to be done to keep Germany weak and divided.
Germany must be punished, Lloyd George agreed, but not so severly that the country would be left destitute or vunerable to the spread of communism from Russia...
The result, a compromise, imposed harsh peace terms on a defeated Germany.
-Russell Freedman
The treaty stated that Germany was solely and entirely responsible for the war. The Germans were required to disarm, to surrernder their overseas colonies, and to pay massive reperations for the losses suffered by the Allies... Germany would also lose large chunks of territory to Belgium and other neighboring states, to newly independant Poland, and to other newborn nations created by the Allies statesmen as they redrew the map of Europe.
-Russell Freedman
The Second World War was the continuation of the first, and indeed [World War II] is inexplicable except in terms of the rancor and instabilites left by the earlier conflict.
-Historian John Keegan
hitler before the invasion
The German government stepped up its effort to expand its territory, after Adolf Hitler was named chancelolor of Germany. In March of 1938, Germany united with Austria. After World War I, Germany lost alot of land and Hitler began demanding the return of Germany's lost land. The first target was Czechoslovakia; with Czechoslovakians' weak military, it was an easy victory. Hitler soon had plans for conquering all of Europe.
Left: Hitler reviewing German calvary troops as they march down a street in the capital of Poland, Warsaw.
Right: Map of Germany's expansion before the invasion.
Right: Map of Germany's expansion before the invasion.