How did Hitler’s actions escalate tension in Europe?

• Remilitarisation of the Rhineland – March 1936:

  > Hitler sent 22,000 soldiers into the Rhineland. Many arrived on bicycles and they were greeted with flowers. Britain and France did nothing. They were DESPERATE to avoid war and many people thought Hitler was doing nothing wrong.
• Remilitarisation of the Rhineland – March 1936:

  > Mussolini was DISGUSTED. He thought that Britain and France were too weak to stand up to Hitler.
• The Axis and the Anti-Comintern Pact – July 1936:

  > Mussolini did not trust France and Britain. Mussolini let Hitler know that he would not mind if Hitler united with Austria. This led to them signing a treaty of friendship called the Rome-Berlin Axis. By 1937, Germany, Italy and Japan had joined together in the Anti-Comintern Pact.
• Anschluss with Austria – March 1938:

  > When Austrian police raided Nazi headquarters, they found plans to overthrow the government. Some Nazis were arrested. The Austrian Nazis rioted against the government and Chancellor Schuschnigg was forced to meet with Hitler.
• Anschluss with Austria – March 1938:

  > Hitler forced Schuschnigg to release all the Austrian Nazis from prison. If not, he threatened to invade. Schuschnigg tried to call a plebiscite to let the Austrian people decide if they wanted ANSCHLUSS.
• Anschluss with Austria – March 1938:

  > Hitler again threatened to invade and with no support from Britain and France, Schuschnigg had no choice but to resign.
• Anschluss with Austria – March 1938:

  > When a plebiscite was held, German soldiers watched the voting points. 99.75% of voters said they supported Anschluss.