1938:
- Anschluss: In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria in an event known as the "Anschluss." This heightened fears of further German expansionism.
- Sudetenland Crisis: The Nazis began claiming the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia that had a large German-speaking population.
- Munich Agreement: In September 1938, Britain, France, Italy, and Germany signed the Munich Agreement, appeasing Hitler by allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for promises of peace. Czechoslovakia was forced to cede the region to Germany without consent.
1939:
- Occupation of Czechoslovakia: In March 1939, Germany violated the Munich Agreement and occupied the remaining territory of Czechoslovakia. Hitler declared Bohemia and Moravia to be a German protectorate, while Slovakia became a nominally independent state allied with Germany.
- Dissolution of Czechoslovakia: The invasion and dismemberment of Czechoslovakia marked a significant escalation in Nazi aggression and a violation of international law. The event sent shockwaves throughout Europe and highlighted the failure of the policy of appeasement.
- World War II: The occupation and dissolution of Czechoslovakia is considered one of the key events leading to the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.